Knitting gloves with fingers can seem like a daunting task, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to create the perfect pair of gloves in no time. Whether you’re a beginner knitter or have some experience under your belt, this guide will walk you through the process from start to finish, ensuring that you end up with cozy and stylish gloves that you can be proud of.
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You’ll need a set of double-pointed knitting needles in the appropriate size, yarn of your choice, a stitch marker, a yarn needle, and a pair of scissors. Once you have everything ready, you can start casting on stitches and begin the knitting process.
The first step is to measure your hand and determine the size of your gloves. Knitting gloves that fit well is crucial, so take accurate measurements of your hand and fingers to ensure a perfect fit. Once you have your measurements, you can cast on the required number of stitches and begin knitting the cuff of the gloves.
It’s important to note that knitting gloves with fingers requires some intermediate knitting skills, so if you’re a beginner, it may be helpful to practice on simpler projects before attempting gloves. However, with determination and patience, anyone can master the art of knitting gloves with fingers.
Once you have completed the cuff, you’ll move on to shaping the fingers. This is where the magic happens and your gloves start to take shape. You’ll work on each finger separately, picking up stitches and knitting in the round to create the finger sections. Pay close attention to the instructions and follow the pattern carefully to ensure that each finger is shaped correctly.
After shaping the fingers, you’ll finish off the gloves by knitting the fingertips and sewing up any remaining seams. This step requires precision and attention to detail, as the fingertips should be snug and secure. Finally, weave in any loose ends and give your gloves a good blocking to ensure they maintain their shape.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can knit a pair of gloves with fingers that fit perfectly and keep your hands warm during those chilly months. Get ready to impress your friends and family with your knitting skills and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a beautiful and functional knitwear accessory.
Materials and Tools Required for Knitting Gloves with Fingers
Knitting gloves with fingers requires a few essential materials and tools to ensure a successful project. Here is a list of everything you will need to get started:
| Yarn: | Choose a yarn that is suitable for gloves, such as a fingering or sport weight yarn. Opt for a soft and durable yarn that will keep your hands warm. |
| Knitting Needles: | Depending on your gauge and personal preference, you will need a set of double-pointed needles or a circular needle with a long cable to accommodate the number of stitches. |
| Tape Measure: | This will be used to measure the length of your hand, fingers, and wrist to ensure a proper fit. |
| Stitch Markers: | These will help you keep track of your stitches, especially when shaping the fingers or thumb gusset. |
| Tapestry Needle: | Used for weaving in yarn ends and sewing any seams if necessary. |
| Scissors: | A pair of sharp scissors is essential for cutting the yarn and trimming any excess. |
| Stitch Holder: | This will hold any stitches that are not in use, such as those for the thumb. |
| Row Counter: | Optional but helpful, a row counter helps you keep track of your progress and rows. |
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials and tools, you will be ready to start knitting your gloves with fingers. Make sure to choose high-quality materials that will result in a comfortable and durable pair of gloves.
Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles for Knitting Gloves
When it comes to knitting gloves, selecting the right yarn and needles is crucial to ensure a comfortable and well-fitting end product. Here are some tips for choosing the right materials:
Selecting the Yarn
When choosing yarn for gloves, it’s important to consider factors such as fiber content, weight, and texture. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Fiber Content: Opt for yarn with natural fibers like wool or alpaca, as these provide warmth and breathability. Blends with some synthetic fibers can add durability and stretch.
- Weight: Choose a yarn weight that matches the pattern or gauge you are aiming for. Thicker yarns will result in quicker knitting but may produce chunkier gloves, while thinner yarns will result in delicate gloves.
- Texture: Consider the desired texture of the gloves. Smooth and soft yarns are great for a polished, classic look, while yarns with a bit of texture can add interest and grip.
Choosing the Needles
Equally important as the yarn choice is selecting the right needles. Here are some factors to consider:
- Material: Choose needles made of a material that feels comfortable in your hands and provides the right amount of grip. Popular options include bamboo, wood, metal, and plastic.
- Size: Use the needle size recommended in the pattern or adjust it to achieve the desired gauge. Smaller needles often result in tighter stitches, while larger ones produce looser stitches.
- Type: The two main types of knitting needles are straight needles and circular needles. Straight needles are suitable for smaller, flat pieces, while circular needles are more versatile and can accommodate larger projects.
Remember to check the pattern for any specific yarn or needle recommendations, as the designer may have specific preferences or requirements. Additionally, test your gauge before starting the gloves to ensure that your yarn and needle combination will result in the correct size.
How to Cast On and Start Knitting the Cuffs
Before you begin knitting the gloves, you will need to cast on and start working on the cuffs. The cuffs provide a comfortable and snug fit, as well as add a decorative element to the gloves. Follow these step-by-step instructions to cast on and start knitting the cuffs of your gloves.
- Start by selecting your yarn and appropriate size knitting needles. Choose a yarn that is suitable for the desired warmth and durability of the gloves. Refer to the pattern or instructions for the recommended needle size.
- Hold the knitting needle in your dominant hand, and make a slipknot with the yarn. Leave a long tail for weaving in later.
- Insert the needle into the slipknot, making sure that the working yarn is towards the back of the needle.
- Tighten the loop around the needle, but not too tightly. The loop should be able to move freely along the needle.
- Using your dominant hand, hold the needle with the slipknot. With your other hand, bring the working yarn over the needle and towards you.
- Using your dominant hand, insert the needle into the loop from the bottom up and under the working yarn.
- With the working yarn, wrap it around the needle from back to front, creating another loop.
- Slide the new loop onto the right-hand needle. This is called a knit stitch. Repeat steps 6-8 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your gloves.
Once you have cast on the appropriate number of stitches, you can start knitting the cuffs of your gloves. Follow the pattern or instructions for the specific stitch pattern or design for the cuffs. Some common stitch patterns for cuffs include ribbing, seed stitch, or a simple garter stitch.
Knit the desired length for the cuffs, keeping in mind that the gloves should fit snugly around the wrists. Once you have completed the cuffs, you can then move on to knitting the rest of the glove, including the fingers, palm, and thumb sections.
Knitting the Hand Section without Fingers
After completing the cuff section, you will now move on to knitting the hand section of the gloves. This part will cover the area from your wrist to the base of your fingers.
Materials needed:
- Yarn – Choose a yarn that is suitable for glove knitting, preferably a lightweight yarn.
- Knitting needles – Use a size recommended for your chosen yarn and to achieve the desired gauge.
- Tape measure
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Instructions:
- With your chosen yarn and knitting needles, cast on the required number of stitches for the hand section. This number will depend on your hand size and desired fit.
- Begin knitting in the round, either using double-pointed needles or a circular needle in the magic loop method. Make sure to place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
- Continue knitting in the round until the hand section measures to the desired length. You can use a tape measure to check the length from your wrist to the base of your fingers.
- Once the hand section is complete, you can proceed to shape the fingers according to the pattern or design you are following. If there is no specific pattern, you can simply divide the stitches evenly among four or five double-pointed needles to shape the fingers.
- Work each finger separately according to the instructions provided in your pattern. This usually involves decreasing stitches gradually to create a tapered shape.
- Continue knitting each finger until they reach the desired length, which is usually the tip of each finger.
- Once all the fingers are complete, you can finish off the gloves by weaving in any loose ends and blocking the gloves to help them retain their shape.
Remember to refer to your specific pattern or design for more detailed instructions, as the steps may vary depending on the style of glove you are knitting.
Knitting the Fingers of the Gloves
Once the hand of the glove has been completed, it’s time to move on to knitting the fingers. Follow these steps to knit each finger:
- Thumb: To knit the thumb, pick up the stitches left on the waste yarn and transfer them to double-pointed needles. Knit the desired length for the thumb, usually around 2 inches, and then decrease the stitches gradually to create a rounded shape.
- Index Finger: To knit the index finger, pick up the stitches from the scrap yarn and place them on double-pointed needles. Knit the desired length, decreasing stitches at the tip to create a pointed shape.
- Middle, Ring, and Pinky Fingers: Repeat the same process as the index finger for the remaining fingers. Pick up the stitches from the scrap yarn, place them on double-pointed needles, and knit the desired length. Decrease stitches at the tips to shape each finger.
Tips:
- Use stitch markers to indicate the start and end points of each finger. This can help you keep track of your progress and ensure that each finger is the same length.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different stitch patterns or textures for the fingers. This can add visual interest to the gloves and make them unique.
- Try the gloves on periodically as you knit the fingers to ensure they fit properly. Adjust the length or width if needed.
- If you prefer a more seamless look, you can use the “magic loop” method instead of double-pointed needles. This involves using a long circular needle to hold the stitches and knit in the round.
Once all the fingers have been knitted, bind off the stitches and weave in any loose ends. Your gloves with fingers are now complete and ready to be worn!
Joining the Fingers to the Hand Section
Once you have completed knitting the hand section of the glove, it’s time to join the fingers. Follow these steps to complete this process:
- Prepare the fingers: Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle.
- Position the fingers: Fold the hand section of the glove in half, aligning the side seams. This will help you identify the center of the hand section. The thumb and little finger sides are considered sides, while the index finger side is considered the center.
- Start with the little finger: Beginning at the index finger side, count the stitches and find the center stitch. Insert the needle into the center stitch and bring it out through the corresponding stitch on the opposite side of the hand section.
- Secure the little finger: Thread the needle back through the same stitch on the little finger side, creating a loop around the center stitch. Repeat this process a couple of times to ensure the little finger is securely attached.
- Move to the ring finger: Count the stitches from the little finger to the ring finger side and find the center stitch. Insert the needle into the center stitch and bring it out through the corresponding stitch on the opposite side of the hand section.
- Secure the ring finger: Thread the needle back through the same stitch on the ring finger side, creating a loop around the center stitch. Repeat this process a couple of times to ensure the ring finger is securely attached.
- Repeat for the middle and index fingers: Follow the same procedure for attaching the middle and index fingers as you did for the little finger and ring finger.
Once all the fingers are attached, weave in any remaining yarn ends and trim them. Make sure the fingers are securely joined to the hand section before moving on to the next steps in completing your gloves.
Shaping the Thumb and Creating the Thumb Opening
Once you have completed the fingers and palm portion of the gloves, it’s time to shape the thumb and create the thumb opening. Follow these steps to shape the thumb:
- Divide Stitches: To start shaping the thumb, you will need to divide a portion of the stitches for the thumb opening. Count the stitches on your needle from the end of the palm section and place half of those stitches on a stitch holder or scrap yarn. This will create the thumb opening.
- Create Thumb Gusset: The next step is to create a thumb gusset. Knit across the rest of the stitches on the needle until you reach the end of the row. Then, pick up stitches from the side of the thumb opening using a double-pointed needle or a circular needle, making sure to pick up an equal number of stitches as the stitches on the stitch holder.
- Continue Knitting: Knit all stitches on the needle, including the ones picked up from the thumb opening. This will join the thumb gusset with the rest of the glove.
- Shape Thumb: As you continue knitting the glove, you will need to decrease stitches to shape the thumb. Follow the pattern instructions to determine when and how to decrease stitches. This will create a snug fit for the thumb.
- Create Thumb Opening: Once you have decreased the required number of stitches, you can create the thumb opening. Knit a few rows without decreasing any stitches, maintaining the pattern established for the rest of the glove. This will create the desired length for the thumb.
- Finish Thumb: Lastly, follow the pattern instructions to finish knitting the thumb. This may include binding off stitches or decreasing until only a few stitches remain, which can then be gathered and secured.
By following these steps, you will be able to shape the thumb and create the thumb opening for your knitted gloves. Remember to refer to your specific glove pattern for any additional instructions or details.
Finishing the Glove: Bind Off, Sewing, and Blocking
After completing all the finger sections, it’s time to finish the glove by binding off, sewing the fingers together, and blocking the finished piece. Follow these steps to complete your knitted gloves:
- Bind off: To bind off, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and slide the needle through the first stitch on the needle as if to purl, then through the second stitch on the needle as if to knit. Gently pull the yarn to secure the stitches. Repeat this process until all the stitches have been bound off.
- Sewing the fingers together: Using the tail end of yarn, sew the sides of the fingers together. Start by aligning the edges of two adjacent fingers and insert the needle through the first stitches on each side. Continue sewing the fingers together using a mattress stitch or any other preferred method of sewing. Repeat this process for all the fingers.
- Finishing touches: Weave in any remaining loose ends of yarn from the cast on and bind off edges, and trim off any excess yarn. This will give your gloves a neat and finished look.
- Blocking: Blocking is an important step to shape and even out your finished gloves. Soak the gloves in lukewarm water for a few minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess water. Lay the gloves flat on a clean towel and carefully shape them by lightly stretching the fabric. Allow the gloves to dry completely before wearing or storing them.
Once your gloves are dry and ready, they are now complete and ready to be worn or gifted. Enjoy the satisfaction of having made a beautiful pair of knitted gloves with fingers!
FAQ:
What materials do I need to knit gloves with fingers?
To knit gloves with fingers, you will need yarn (preferably a wool blend), knitting needles (usually size 3 or 4), a set of double-pointed needles in the same size, stitch markers, a tapestry needle, and scissors.
Do I need any specific knitting skills to knit gloves with fingers?
Yes, knitting gloves with fingers requires some intermediate knitting skills. You should be comfortable with basic knitting techniques such as casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, and knitting in the round.
Can I knit gloves with fingers for different hand sizes?
Yes, you can easily adjust the pattern to fit different hand sizes. Start by measuring the circumference of the hand at its widest point (usually around the knuckles). Then, make a gauge swatch to determine your stitches per inch. Multiply your stitches per inch by the desired hand circumference to get the total number of stitches needed. From there, you can follow the pattern and adjust the number of stitches as necessary to fit the different hand sizes. Don’t forget to also adjust the length of the fingers and thumb based on the wearer’s measurements.