Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware

My good friend, Maria, is determined to make gloves, so I am trying to write a pattern for her.  I’m not certain how well this will go.  For one thing, her hands are bigger than mine.  Also, she is trying to get another friend of ours, Leslie, to make a pair.  This could get interesting.  I will also try to remember to take pictures of her progress.

Yarn used:  About 3 oz. Cascade 220. 

Needles: size 5 double points.  I use 5 or 6 of the 4″ wood needles, but I have recently discovered Signature Art Needles.  You may prefer longer, but I especially love them for working the fingers.

Notions:  small coiless safety pins(or what ever kind you like), thin contrasting yarn and darning needle for holding stitches.  Metal or plastic holders get in the way.  I also make two markers out of yarn for the thumb gusset.  Keep in mind that you are working in a very small space and things can get in the way.

Hand circumference measured across knuckles: 8 inches. 

Gauge: 5 stitches to the inch. 

Cast on 40 stitches.  Knit 1, purl 1 for 3″.  Maria decided that 4″ is better.  At the end of the last row, add one stitch.  I do this to make it easier for me to work the thumb gusset.  I mark the end of the row with a coiless pin.

Knit 20 stitches.  Place marker.  Pick up bar between stitch with left needle by going from front to back. Knit through back loop(M1L).  Knit 1.  Pick up bar by going from back to front.  Knit through front loop(M1R).  Place marker.  These increases send the stitches in the direction that they need to go for a great smooth finish.  Knit 20 stitches.

Knit one round with no increases.

Knit to marker.  Move it over.  M1L.  Knit to next marker. M1R.  Move marker over.  Knit to end.

Knit two rounds even. 

Continue to knit an increase row every third row until you have 15 stitches between the markers.  Remove markers and place the 15 gusset stitches on a piece of yarn. 

Knit to gap, add one stitch(backward loop is fine), knit to end.  Continue to knit in round for about 4″.  Try it on.  It should hit  the base of your little finger.

Pinkie 

Knit the first five stitches.  Put next 32 stitches on a piece of waste yarn.  Cast on one stitch.  Knit last three stitches for a total of ten stitches.  Arrange on three dpns.  Knit a few rounds.  Slip you finger in the tube to check for fit.  If it’s too wide, k2tog on the inner side.  You could go back to the cast on stitch and remove it, but the cast on stitch makes a good place to pick for the next part.  If your tube is too narrow, you will have to go back to the first row and cast on two stitches instead of one.  Knit for about 2″ and try on.  When you can just see the tip of your finger, K2tog around.  Cut yarn, leaving about a 6″ tail.  Thread it through a needle  and remaining stitches.  Pull tight.  If you trust yourself, you can weave in the tail.  I don’t weave in the ends until I have completed the all flanges.  I usually  have to remove a couple rows here and there for them to fit ‘just right’.

Thumb

I make the thumb next.  It helps when I am trying it on to check the other three fingers.  I discovered that I am less apt to need to fiddle with them when I’m finished.

Put the 15 stitches on to three dpns and knit.  When attaching the yarn, leave a length of yarn long enough to do some weaving in order to reduce the number of ends.  Cast on one stitch at the gusset.  Knit in the round for about 2″.  Try it on.  Finish the thumb as you did for the pinkie.

Other Three Fingers

Put the 32 stitches back onto needles.  With the pinkie on the right, knit the stitches. Then pick up and knit two more from the cast on edge of the pinkie–34 stitches.  Knit one more row. 

Ring

Put first six stitches on a needle.  Put last six stitches on a needle.  Put the remaining 22 stitches on a length of yarn.  Knit the first 6, then cast on one stitch at the gap and knit the last six–13 stitches.  Knit in the round for about 2 1/2″.  Check for proper length by trying it on.  Finish this finger as you did for the others.

Middle 

 Put first five stitches on a needle.  Put last five stitches on a needle.  Knit the first five stitches, then cast on two stitches over the gap.  Knit last five stitches and pick up and knit one stitch from cast on at the ring finger–13 stitches.  Knit in the round for about 3″.  Finish this finger as before.

Index  

Put the remaining 12 stitches on needles.  Knit the 12 stitches and pick up and knit one stitch from the cast on edge of the middle finger.  Knit in the round for about two and a half inches.  Finish as you did for the other fingers.

Sew up the holes between the fingers and at the base of the thumb and weave in the ends.  Try on the glove and make any changes that you feel are necessary for a good fit.  Weave in the ends.  Look at your glove.  Now, aren’t you proud of yourself ?

I’d love to know what you think of my pattern. 

Enjoy.