Braided Ivy Fingerless Gloves

© 2011 Luciana Boic. All rights reserved

This pattern is a draft that is currently being reviewed by test knitters. The final version will contain charts and more illustrations and photos.

 

Braided Ivy Fingerless Gloves

Perfect as a one-skein project using that luxurious worsted yarn you’ve been keeping in your stash for that special pattern.

These feminine and luxurious fingerless gloves are seamless, stretchy and very comfortable to wear. They will keep your hands warm and your fingers free. A beautiful complement to any outfit, from a simple t-shirt and jeans to your wedding gown (see those beauties in white), they are perfect when you are working on the computer, walking the dog, biking, driving, or shopping.

Each glove is basically a knitted tube plus a thumb gusset. You begin knitting the hand, make the thumb opening and the thumb gusset, and then continue the stitch pattern until the length desired. Or until you run out of yarn.

How to use this pattern

  • Read the whole pattern before you start. Check the skills list and all steps involved.
  • Abbreviations, instructions for the thumb opening, and instructions for the cable cast-on method are provided.
  • Make sure you use the pattern according to the terms in the copyright notice.

Finished measurements

These gloves are very stretchy and will fit most women’s hands, from small to large. It fits hands measuring 6″ to 8″ in circumference measured around the knuckles.

Skills

  • Knitting in rounds.
  • Long-tail cast-on (or any stretchy cast-on method).
  • Cable cast-on (instructions provided).
  • Slip-over bind-off (instructions provided).
  • Magic-loop technique (optional).
  • Stitches: knit, purl, yarn over, decreases to slanted to the left (ssk) and to the right (k2tog).
  • Basic cables (instructions provided).

Yarn

The yarn displayed is Cascade 220 (100 g, 220 yards, 100% wool), but you can use any light-worsted wool or wool blend.

For a pair of elbow-long gloves, you’ll need approximately 160 yards (75g). For a pair of nine-inch long gloves, you’ll need approximately 120 yards (65g). If you’re using Cascade 220, one skein makes two pairs of 9-inch gloves. Great for gifts and pretty economical!

Needles & Notions

This project is made in rounds, so you can use your preferred method with circular needles or DPNs. I prefer the magic loop technique when I’m knitting in rounds, and I used circular needles 32” (80cm) U.S. 6 (4.0mm), and a larger circular needle to bind off.

You’ll also need: one stitch marker to indicate the beginning of rounds, and a cable need or an auxiliary needle, which is helpful when making the cables in the lacy stitch pattern.

Gauge

5.5 stitches per inch worked in rounds on lacy stitch pattern. Use the needle size appropriate for your knitting.

Tips

  • Before I start, I divide the yarn in two halves. This way, I can carry on and make longer gloves if I wish to, and I know I’ll have enough yarn for both gloves.
  • Left and right gloves are identical.  I like to knit them at the same time using the magic loop method. This way they’re both done at the same time and turn out identical twins. A quick web search will provide you with several links to this very useful technique.  Knit Pick’s video tutorial is a good one.
  • The cables in the lacy stitch pattern can be made without a cable needle. Check Grumperina’s excellent tutorial at http://www.grumperina.com/cables.htm to learn how.
  • When binding off, I change to larger needles to allow for a more elastic finish.

Lacy stitch pattern

The stitch pattern is set-up in rounds of 38 stitches and repeats every 4 rounds:

  • Round 1: Repeat 2 times [p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3]
  • Round 2: Repeat 2 times [p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3]
  • Round 3: Like Round 1
  • Round 4: Repeat 2 times [p1, c3R, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, c3L]

Step 1: Cast on and start knitting

  1. Cast on 38 stitches using long-tail method, or any stretchy cast-on method. For the long-tail method, you will need a 28 inch (70 cm) tail.
  2. Join to work in rounds. If using the magic loop method, distribute 19 stitches on each needle tip. Otherwise, distribute stitches among double-pointed needles.
  3. Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
  4. Round 1: Purl one round.
  5. Round 2: Like Round 2 in lacy stitch pattern.
  6. Rounds 3 to 6: Like Rounds 1 to 4 in lacy stitch pattern.
  7. Round 7: Like Round 1 in lacy stitch pattern.
  8. Round 8: Work the first 19 stitches in this round this way: [p1, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3].
    Then work the remaining 19 stitches following the lacy stitch pattern, that is [p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3].

Step 2: Thumb opening

Round 9: in this round you’ll make the thumb opening. Follow these steps:

  1. For first 6 stitches in this round: p1, k3, p2.
  2. For the next 8 stitches in this round, follow the instructions given below and make the thumb opening (these 8 stitches will become one slippped stitch, six bound-off stitches, and one slipped stitch).
  3. After the thumb opening is finished, check the total number of stitches on the needles. Six stitches were bound off to form one edge, then ten stitches were cast on to create the other edge, then one stitch was passed over to join the edges. The total number of stitches is 41 (38 original stitches minus 6 bound-off plus 10 cast-on minus 1 passed over = 41 stitches).
  4. Continue working the 24 remaining stitches in this round following the lacy stitch pattern:
    [p2, k3, p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3].

Step 3: Thumb gusset

Round 10: There are 41 stitches in this round. Work the first 22 stitches in this round this way:
[p1, c3R, p2, k3, p1, k3, p1, k3, p2, c3L].
Then work the remaining 19 stitches following the lacy stitch pattern:
[p1, c3R, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, c3L].

Round 11: Work the first 22 stitches in this round this way:
[p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p1, k1, ssk, yo, p1, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3]
Then work the remaining 19 stitches as usual, following the lacy stitch pattern:
[p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3].

Round 12: Work the first 22 stitches in this round this way:
[p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p1, yo, k2tog, k1, p1, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3].
Then work the remaining 19 stitches as usual, following the lacy stitch pattern:
[p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3].

Round 13: Like Round 11.

Round 14: Work the first 22 stitches in this round this way:
[p1, c3R, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p1,yo, k2tog, k1, p1, k1, ssk, yo, p2, c3L].
Then work the remaining 19 stitches as usual, following the stitch pattern:
[p1, c3R, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, c3L].

Round 15: Like Round 11.

Round 16: Like Round 12.

Round 17: Like Round 11.

Round 18: Like Round 14.

Round 19: Like Round 11.

Round 20: Like Round 12.

Round 21: Like Round 11.

Round 22: Like Round 14.

Round 23: Work the first 22 stitches this way:
[p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2tog, k1, p2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3 ].
Then work the remaining 19 stitches as usual, following the stitch pattern:
[p1, k3, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k3].
There were two decreases made in this round resulting in a total of 39 stitches.

Round 24: Work the first 20 stitches in this round this way:
[p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2tog, p1, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3].
Then work the remaining 19 stitches as usual, following the lacy stitch pattern:
[p1, k3, p2, yo, k2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk, yo, p2, k3].
There was one decrease made in this round resulting in a total of 38 stitches. From this point onward, all rounds follow the lacy stitch pattern.

Round 25: Like Round 1 in the lacy stitch pattern.

Round 26: Like Round 4 in the lacy stitch pattern.

Step 4: Wrist and Arm

Continue working the lacy stitch pattern until you reach the desired length minus half an inch. For a 9-inch long glove, repeat the stitch pattern 14 times from start to end. For a 12-inch long glove, repeat the stitch pattern 20 times from start to end.

Work the last three rounds like rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the lacy stitch pattern, then purl the last round.

Step 5: Finishing

Change to a larger needle size to get a more elastic finish.

Bind off loosely using the basic knit bind-off method:

  1. Knit two stitches.
  2. Using the two stitches on the right needle, insert the left needle into the first stitch and pass it over the second stitch on the right needle.
  3. Keep the stitch that was passed over on the right needle.
  4. Knit the next stitch to obtain two stitches on the right needle.
  5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 until all stitches are bound off.

Weave in ends.

Block.

 

Thumb Opening Instructions

This technique is the same used to make reinforced one-row buttonholes. The thumb opening consists of binding off six stitches and casting them back on, plus extra three stitches, on the same round.

Step 1: Reinforce the first stitch by wrapping the yarn around it

1) Work the pattern up the point where you want the thumb opening to be.

2) Bring the yarn to the front of the work.

3) Slip one stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right.

4) Return the yarn to the back of the work. This will cause the yarn to wrap this stitch and reinforce it. This wrapped stitch will be the first stitch that you’ll bind off for the thumb opening.

5) Drop the working yarn and leave it where it is at the back of your work.

Step 2: Create the bottom edge of the thumb opening

In this step you will create the bottom edge of the thumb opening by binding off six (6) stitches. The bind off method used here is simply passing each stitch over each other. You won’t need to touch the working yarn.

1) To start, slip a second stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle (the first stitch you’ll bind off is the stitch you wrapped in step 1; this stitch should be on the right needle).

2) Using the tip of the left needle, pass the first slipped stitch over the second slipped stitch. This will cause the first wrapped stitch to be bound off.

3) Repeat slipping one stitch purlwise from the left to the right needle and passing the previously slipped stitch over it until you have bound off six (6) stitches.

4) Slip the last (seventh) stitch back to left needle.

5) Check your work: you should see the bottom edge of the thumb opening between the needles, and the working yarn should be at the back of the work on the right needle.

Step 3: Create the thumb gusset edge

The other edge of the thumb opening is longer than the bound-off bottom edge to create room for the thumb gusset.

1) Turn your work, so that you get the working yarn on the left needle. The working yarn should be at the back of your work.

2) Cast on 10 (ten) stitches using the cable cast-on method (instructions are given below). Do not to pull the yarn tight when casting on the new stitches. The tension should be as loose as possible to allow for a stretchy thumb gusset.

Step 4: Join bottom and top edges to finish the thumb opening

1) Turn your work so that you get the working yarn on the right needle and keep the yarn at the back.

2) Slip the first stitch from the left needle to right needle.

3) Pass the last stitch cast on in the previous step over the slipped stitch. This will join the bottom and the top edges and finish the thumb opening.

4) Resume working the stitch pattern.

In other words, summarizing steps 1 to 4: to make the thumb opening:

  1. slip one stitch before the thumb opening starts;
  2. slip and wrap the first stitch on the left needle;
  3. slip a 2nd stitch to the right needle and pass the 1st stitch over it;
  4. for the 3r, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th stitches: slip one stitch and pass the previous stitch over it;
  5. slip the 7th stitch back to the left needle (at this point, one edge is done);
  6. turn the work, and cast on 10 stitches using the cable cast-on method (this makes the other edge);
  7. turn the work, and pass the last stitch that was cast on over the first stitch on the left needle, joining both edges.

 

Cable Cast-on Method

To cast on using the cable cast-on method, make each new stitch this way:

Step 1) Insert the right needle between the first and second stitches on the left needle as if to purl (from back to front).

Step 2) Wrap the yarn through the space between these stitches to form a loop as, if to purl.

Step 3) Draw this loop and place it on the left needle: one stitch is made.

Repeat steps 1 to 3 to make each new stitch.

 

Abbreviations

c3L: (three-stitch left-twist cable)
1) slip one stitch purlwise to an auxiliary cable needle and keep it infront of the work;
2) knit two stitches;
3) knit the stitch slipped to the cable needle.

c3R: (three-stitch right-twist cable)
1) slip two stitches purlwise to an auxiliary cable needle and keep it at theback of the work;
2) knit the next stitch on the left needle;
3) knit the two stitches slipped to the cable needle.

DPN: double-pointed needles

k: knit the number of stitches followingk (k3 = knit 3 stitches)

k2tog: (decrease slanting to the right) knit two stitches together

p: purl the number of stitches following p (p3 = purl 3 stitches)

ssk: (decrease slanting to the left) ‘slip, slip, knit’ or left-slanted decrease: slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise (as if to knit), then slip another stitch as if to knit, insert the left needle through the back loop of these two slipped stitches and knit them together (one-stitch decrease slanted to the left)

st, sts:stitch, stitches

yo: pass the yarn over the needle (makes one increase that looks like an eyelet)

Extra-long (13-inch) gloves made in Cascade 220

 

Last updated: Oct 26, 2011.

© 2011 Luciana Boic. All rights reserved

Copyright Notice

Important!
By using this pattern you agree to the following:
This pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. This means that:
1) This pattern, and any parts of it, must not be sold or distributed without written permission from Luciana Boic, the copyright owner.
2) All commercial use, as well as any form of reproduction, publication, or distribution (including distribution of the digital file) without permission of the copyright owner is prohibited.
3) You can make copies of this pattern for your personal non-commercial use. This includes printing and making photocopies of the digital file for your personal use only.
4) Any products made using this pattern must not be sold. You’re allowed to make as many products as you wish for yourself, for charity or for donations/gifts.