Knitting gloves can be a fun and rewarding project for any knitter. Once you have mastered the basic glove pattern, adding fingers can take your knitting skills to the next level. Knitting fingers on gloves requires some additional techniques and attention to detail, but with a step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to create a comfortable and stylish pair of gloves.
Before you begin knitting the fingers, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how gloves are constructed. Most gloves are knit in the round, starting at the cuff and working up to the fingers. The fingers are usually knit separately and then attached to the body of the glove through a process called grafting or seaming.
To start knitting the fingers, you’ll need to divide the stitches on your needles into separate sections for each finger. This can be done by using stitch markers or by separating the stitches onto separate double-pointed needles. Then, you can follow the specific instructions for each finger, which will typically involve shaping the finger through decreases or increases and knitting to a desired length.
Once all the fingers have been knit, you will need to attach them to the body of the glove. This can be done using a tapestry needle and a technique called grafting or seaming. Grafting involves using the same yarn as your knitting to create an invisible join between the finger and the body of the glove. Seaming involves using a separate piece of yarn to sew the finger onto the glove.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through each stage of knitting fingers on gloves, from dividing the stitches to finishing off the seams. By following these instructions and practicing your knitting skills, you’ll be able to create a beautiful pair of gloves that fit perfectly and keep your hands warm during the colder months.
So grab your knitting needles, choose your favorite yarn, and let’s get started on this exciting knitting project!
Gather the Necessary Materials
Before you begin knitting fingers on gloves, you’ll need to gather the following materials:
- Knitting Needles: You’ll need a set of double-pointed knitting needles in the appropriate size for your yarn. Check the yarn label for the recommended needle size.
- Yarn: Choose a yarn that is suitable for gloves, such as a wool or acrylic blend. You’ll need enough yarn to complete the fingers of the gloves.
- Tapestry Needle: This needle will be used for sewing seams and weaving in ends.
- Stitch Markers: These markers will help you keep track of your stitches and decreases.
- Scissors: You’ll need a pair of scissors to cut the yarn.
- Measuring Tape: You’ll use a measuring tape to ensure the gloves fit properly.
Make sure you have all of these materials on hand before you begin knitting the fingers on your gloves. Having everything prepared will make the process much smoother and more enjoyable.
Measure Your Hand and Determine Gauge
Before you can start knitting fingers on gloves, it’s important to measure your hand and determine the gauge of your knitting. This will ensure that the gloves fit properly and are comfortable to wear.
Step 1: Measure your hand
Using a tape measure, measure the circumference of your hand at its widest point. This is usually around the knuckles. Make sure that the tape measure is snug but not too tight.
Step 2: Measure your finger length
Measure the length of your fingers from the base (where they connect to your hand) to the tip. Take note of the measurements for each finger, as they may vary in length.
Step 3: Determine your knitting gauge
Next, you’ll need to determine your knitting gauge. This is the number of stitches and rows per inch in your knitting. To do this, cast on a small sample of stitches (around 20) using the same yarn and needles you plan to use for your gloves. Knit a few rows, then measure the width and height of the sample using a ruler.
Step 4: Calculate the number of stitches
Based on your hand measurements and knitting gauge, you can calculate the number of stitches you’ll need to cast on for each finger. Multiply the width of your hand (in inches) by your knitting gauge to determine how many stitches to cast on. Take into account any desired ease or snugness in the fit of the gloves.
Step 5: Follow a pattern or create your own
Once you have your hand measurements, finger lengths, and stitch calculations, you can either follow a pre-existing pattern for knitting fingers on gloves or create your own. If you’re following a pattern, make sure to adjust the instructions to fit your own measurements and gauge. If you’re creating your own pattern, use your calculations as a guide to shaping the fingers as you knit.
By measuring your hand and determining your knitting gauge, you’ll be able to create gloves that fit perfectly and keep your hands warm and cozy. Happy knitting!
Cast On Stitches for the Fingers
Before you begin knitting the fingers, you will need to cast on stitches for each finger. This will create the base of each finger and allow for the knitting to begin.
You can use the long tail cast on method or any other preferred cast on method to start your stitches. Be sure to leave a long enough tail so that you can weave it in later.
Here is how to cast on stitches for the fingers:
- Take the end of the yarn and make a slip knot. Place the slip knot onto one of the knitting needles.
- Hold the knitting needle with the slip knot in your right hand, and the other needle in your left hand.
- Insert the left needle into the slip knot from left to right.
- With your right hand, bring the working yarn (the yarn attached to the ball) under the left needle and up over the top, creating a loop.
- Use your right hand to pull the loop through the slip knot, transferring the loop to the right needle.
- Continue steps 3-5 until you have the desired number of stitches for each finger. It is typically recommended to cast on between 10-15 stitches for each finger.
- Once you have cast on all the stitches for the fingers, you can move on to knitting the fingers using the appropriate stitch pattern.
Remember to take your time and be patient as you cast on the stitches. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but with practice, you’ll be able to cast on stitches for the fingers with ease.
Happy knitting!
Knit the Finger Ribbing
Once you have completed the hand portion of the glove, it’s time to move on to knitting the fingers. The first step is to create the ribbing for the fingers. This ribbing will provide a snug fit and help prevent the fingers from slipping off.
To begin, you will need your double-pointed needles and the yarn color of your choice. Start by dividing the stitches evenly onto three double-pointed needles.
Once your stitches are divided, you can begin knitting the ribbing. To do this, you will work in a round using a 1×1 rib stitch pattern. The 1×1 rib consists of knitting one stitch, then purling one stitch, and repeating this pattern until the end of the round.
Follow these steps to knit the finger ribbing:
- Start with the first needle and knit one stitch.
- Move the yarn to the front of the work and purl one stitch.
- Continue alternating between knitting and purling stitches until you reach the end of the needle.
- Repeat steps 1-3 for the remaining two needles.
- Continue working in rounds, repeating steps 1-4, until you have reached the desired length for the ribbing. This is typically around 1-2 inches, but you can adjust it to your preference.
Once you have completed the ribbing, you can move on to knitting the rest of the finger. This usually involves switching to stockinette stitch or another suitable stitch pattern for the finger.
Remember to work each finger separately, following the same steps for the ribbing and then switching to the desired stitch pattern for each finger. Take your time, and enjoy the process of knitting your own gloves!
Shape the Fingers
Once you have completed the hand portion of the glove, it’s time to shape the fingers. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create each finger:
- Thumb: Starting at the palm side of the glove, locate the thumb placement marker. Depending on the pattern, this may be indicated by a stitch marker or a specific row. Begin working on the stitches within this area, either by picking up stitches or by dividing the stitches already on the needle.
- Index Finger: Move on to the index finger by either picking up stitches or dividing the stitches on the needle within the designated area for the finger. It is typically located next to the thumb area.
- Middle Finger: Continue to the middle finger by repeating the same process as with the index finger. This finger is usually located next to the index finger area.
- Ring Finger: Proceed to the ring finger by either picking up stitches or dividing the stitches on the needle within the designated area for this finger. It is typically located next to the middle finger area.
- Pinky Finger: Lastly, move on to the pinky finger by either picking up stitches or dividing the stitches on the needle within the designated area for this finger. This finger is usually located at the end of the hand portion of the glove.
Once you have shaped all the fingers, continue following the pattern instructions to complete the glove. Remember to use any specific shaping instructions provided in the pattern, such as decreases or increases, to achieve the desired shape for each finger.
Continue Knitting the Finger Length
1. Once you have completed shaping the thumb gusset, you will continue knitting the finger length. This is where you will create the individual finger sections of the glove.
2. To begin, slide the stitches for the first finger onto one of the double-pointed needles or use a stitch holder if desired.
3. Join a new ball of yarn to the working yarn, leaving a tail long enough to weave in later.
4. Knit the desired number of stitches for the finger length. This will depend on the size of the glove and the desired length of the fingers.
5. Once you have reached the desired length, you can choose to either end the finger or continue knitting for a longer finger. To end the finger, cut the yarn leaving a tail and thread it through the remaining stitches, pulling tight to secure.
6. Repeat these steps for each finger of the glove, working from the thumb towards the pinky finger.
7. Once all the fingers have been completed, you can either weave in the loose ends or leave them for later. It may be easier to weave in the ends once the whole glove is finished.
8. Continue following the pattern instructions for any remaining sections of the glove, such as the palm or wrist ribbing.
9. Once you have finished knitting all sections, bind off the remaining stitches and weave in any loose ends if you haven’t already.
10. Congratulations! You have successfully knitted the fingers on your gloves. Enjoy wearing your handmade gloves and stay warm!
Decrease Stitches and Shape the Tops
Once you’ve reached the desired length for the fingers on your gloves, it’s time to shape the tops by decreasing stitches. This will create a rounded shape and give the gloves a more fitted look.
To decrease stitches, you’ll be working with two stitches at a time. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by knitting two stitches together. Insert the right needle into the front loops of the next two stitches on the left needle, and knit them together as if they were one stitch.
- Knit the next stitch on the left needle.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you’ve reached the end of the row.
Remember to follow your pattern for the specific number of decrease rows and interval between decrease rows.
Once you’ve completed the decrease rows, you’ll need to close the remaining stitches. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail.
- Thread the tail through a tapestry needle.
- Slip the tapestry needle through the remaining stitches, removing them from the knitting needles.
- Pull the tail tightly to close the top of the gloves.
- Weave in the loose ends to secure them.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully shaped the tops of your gloves by decreasing stitches. Now you can enjoy your newly knit fingered gloves!
Finish the Fingers and Seam the Gloves
Once you have completed knitting all the fingers, it is time to finish them off and seam the gloves together. Follow these steps to complete your gloves:
- Trim the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Thread the yarn tail through a tapestry needle.
- Starting with the first finger, fold it in half lengthwise, aligning the edges.
- Use the tapestry needle to sew the edges together with a whipstitch or mattress stitch. Make sure not to sew the top opening of the finger closed.
- Repeat this process for each finger, sewing the edges together.
- Once all the fingers are seamed, turn the glove inside-out.
- With the tapestry needle and yarn tail, seam the remaining open edges of the glove together. This can be done using a whipstitch or mattress stitch.
- Continue seaming until you reach the cuff of the glove.
- When you reach the cuff, tie off the yarn and weave in any remaining loose ends.
Once you have finished seaming the gloves, try them on to check the fit. Make any necessary adjustments before weaving in the ends. Now you have a completed pair of gloves with knitted fingers!
FAQ:
What materials do I need to knit fingers on gloves?
To knit fingers on gloves, you will need a set of double-pointed knitting needles, yarn, a tapestry needle, and stitch markers.
How do I knit fingers on gloves?
To knit fingers on gloves, you will start by picking up stitches for each finger. Then, you will work in the round, shaping the fingers using various knitting techniques such as increases and decreases.
What are some tips for knitting fingers on gloves?
Some tips for knitting fingers on gloves include using stitch markers to keep track of the beginning of each finger, using a smaller needle size for the finger sections to create a snug fit, and taking your time to ensure that each finger is knit properly.
Can I use a different knitting technique for knitting fingers on gloves?
Yes, while the step-by-step guide in the article uses double-pointed knitting needles, you can also use the magic loop technique or the two-circular needle technique to knit fingers on gloves.
Are there any alternative methods to knitting fingers on gloves?
Yes, if you prefer not to knit the fingers separately, you can try knitting the gloves using a fingerless glove pattern, or you can explore other techniques such as adding afterthought thumbs or using a modular knitting approach.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when knitting fingers on gloves?
Some common mistakes to avoid when knitting fingers on gloves include not properly measuring your hand for the correct glove size, not evenly distributing stitches for each finger, and not properly counting your rows or rounds when shaping the fingers.
How long does it usually take to knit fingers on gloves?
The time it takes to knit fingers on gloves can vary depending on your knitting speed and experience level. Generally, it can take a few hours to a couple of days to complete the fingers on a pair of gloves.