My favourite sort of project: quick to make but with a useful result, interesting to knit, but not so interesting that you have to keep consulting the pattern.

This design features a gusseted thumb for best fit, and comes in lots of sizes. Wear them snugly fitted so they stay in place on your hands, and you can work – knit, type, handle the dog’s leash – when they’re on.

Suitable for any 3 or 4-ply/fingering weight/sock yarn. The samples were worked in a no-nylon 100% Polwarth, in a fantastic bright colour so I was less likely to lose them. Or choose something a little more subtle that actually matches your coat.

Choose a size approximately 3/4-1 inch/2-2.5cm smaller than your actual hand circumference.