Whit's Knits: Cashmere Fingerless Gloves

I was almost sorry to finish these gloves - I never wanted the pleasure of knitting Jade Sapphire's cashmere to end. They are definitely on my holiday knit list... if I can bring myself to give them away!

And for two simple variations of this pattern, check out our Hand Warmers and Flip Top Mittens Project Journal.

Materials

• 1 skein of Jade Sapphire's Zageo 6 Ply Cashmere (This color is "Papricash")
  
• 1 skein of Blue Sky Alpaca's Sportweight Alpaca (This color is in the "Melange" series and is called Pumpernickel #814)
• 1 set of US #4 double pointed needles
• 1 set of US #5 double pointed needles
• A couple of stitch markers
• 2 13mm buttons (I used Fab's "Orange" buttons)

The Pattern

Gauge

6 stitches = 1 inch in reverse stockinette stitch

Finished Size

7 inches in circumference, to fit average woman's hand

Note

You will be knitting these gloves inside out. So, when you're knitting the main color, the wrong side (or knit side) will face you. This is so you can knit the whole time instead of having to purl, which lots of people consider slower and/or more difficult.

Right Glove

Cuff

With the Contrast Color (CC), cast 53 stitches onto a US#4 needle (For this step you can use 2 double pointed needles, straight needles or circular needles.)

Row 1: K1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (buttonhole row): K2, p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to last 6 stitches, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k2.

Row 3: Repeat Row 1.

Row 4: K2, p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * until there are 41 stitches on the right needle and 12 stitches on the left needle, bind off the last 12 stitches.

Cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last stitch. (41 stitches remain)

Hold the needle so the buttonhole tab is to the left. With a US# 5 double pointed needle and the Main Color (MC), purl 1 row.

Distribute the 41 stitches onto three US#5 double pointed needles.

Join into the round with a knit stitch.

Knit 10 rounds.

Gusset

Next Round: Knit to 5 stitches before the end of the round, place a marker, m1R, k1, M1L, place a marker, knit to the end of the round. (43 stitches)

Knit 2 rounds.

Next Round: Knit to the first marker, slip the marker, M1R, knit to the next marker, M1L, slip the marker, knit to the end of the round. (2 stitches increased)

Repeat the last 3 rounds until there are 15 stitches between the markers (55 stitches total).

Knit 1 round.

Separating the Thumb and Fingers

Thumb

Next Round: Knit to the first marker, put the 15 gusset stitches onto scrap yarn (removing the markers)...

...use the Cable Cast On to cast on 2 stitches...

...knitting into the next stitch to join the round, knit to the end of the round. (42 stitches)

Knit every round until the glove reaches the base of your pinky, or for about 1 1/2 more inches.

End the last round 10 stitches before the end of the round.

Index Finger

Put the next 14 stitches onto scrap yarn.

Place a marker, use the Cable Cast On to cast on 2 stitches...

...and knitting into the next stitch to join the round, knit to 5 stitches before the marker.

Middle Finger

Put the next 12 stitches onto scrap yarn, place a marker, cast on 2 stitches, and knit to 4 stitches before the marker.

Ring Finger

Put the next 10 stitches onto scrap yarn, cast on 2 stitches and place a marker. (12 stitches remaining)

Knitting Fingers and Thumb

Starting with the pinky:

Join the remaining 12 stitches into the round and knit 3 rounds. Cut the yarn.

Changing to US #4 double pointed needles and the CC, purl 1 round.

Next Round: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat the last round.

Bind off in the rib pattern. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.

** Put the next finger's stitches onto three US #5 double pointed needles.

With MC, pick up 2 stitches from the base of the previous finger. (To make sure the pick up seam ends up on the inside of the glove, bring the needle from the inside of the glove out to the side that's facing you.)

Then purl the stitch to pick it up. Pick up one more stitch in the same way, purling with the pick up seam on the knit side of the fabric. (12 stitches)

Place a marker and knit 4 rounds.

Changing to CC and US #4 double pointed needles, purl 1 round.

Next Round: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat last round.

Bind off in the rib pattern. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch. ***

Repeat from ** to *** for the remaining two fingers and thumb.

Notes:

The middle finger is 14 stitches after picking up 2; the index finger is 16 stitches; and the thumb is 17 stitches.

Also, instead of knitting 4 rounds of the MC, knit 5 rounds.

And, for the thumb, end the first round of the k1, p1 rib with p2tog.

Finishing

When you've knit all the fingers and thumb, you may think what a mess!

But, just patiently weave in all the ends, and you'll be surprised how great it all looks! (Use the MC tails to sew up all the little gaps and holes, and remember to weave the ends into the knit side of the fabric.)

Now sew the inside edge of the cuff to the buttonhole tab.

Finally, try on the glove and test where you want the button to go. Then sew it on. (I used the CC to sew on the button, but the MC would look good too!)

Left Glove

Cuff

With the CC, cast 53 stitches onto a US#4 needle.

Row 1: K1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (buttonhole row): K2, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 3: Repeat Row 1.

Row 4: Bind off 12 stitches, slip the stitch left on the right needle back to the left needle...

...changing to a US #5 double pointed needle and the MC, purl to the end of the row. (41 stitches)

Distribute the stitches on three US#5 double pointed needles.

Join into the round.

Knit 10 rounds.

Gusset

Round 1: K4, place a marker, m1R, k1, m1L, place a marker, knit to the end of the round. (43 stitches)

Knit 2 rounds.

Next round: Knit to marker, slip the marker, m1R, knit to next marker, m1L, slip the marker, knit to the end of the round. (2 stitches increased)

Repeat the last 3 rounds until there are 15 stitches between the markers (55 stitches total).

Knit 1 row.

The Rest of the Left Glove

Knit the rest of the Left Glove as you did the Right Glove, EXCEPT when you've knit to the base of the pinky, end the last round 2 stitches before the end of the round (instead of 10 stitches before the end). Then continue as for the Right Glove, putting the next 14 stitches onto scrap yarn, etc. until you're done!