How to Knit Gloves for Beginners

This pattern will knit a women's size medium glove. To knit a small or larger glove, measure the circumference of your hand at its widest point. Multiply that number by the number of stitches per inch. Since gloves should be knit with negative ease for a snug fit, round that number down to the nearest multiple of 4 to know how many stitches to cast on. A new knitter working through this pattern will learn how to figure gauge and why it's important, how to use double pointed needles, how to knit and purl in-the-round, increase, decrease and how to customize gloves to any size hand.

Things You'll Need

100g/3.5oz worsted weight yarn
1 set of 4 US size 6/4mm double pointed needles
Stitch holder or waste yarn
2 to 3 stitch markers
Yarn needles
Measuring tape (optional)

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Tip

This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn knit on size US 6 / 4mm needles for a gauge of six stitches per inch. This is meant to create a sturdy and warm fabric that is flexible enough to stretch comfortable with the natural movement of the hand.

A Note About Working on Double Point Needles

Double point needles can be tricky at first, but don't get discouraged! These tips can help you use them masterfully:

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Always hold the needle you are knitting parallel to your body.
You are always working from right to left across the needle.
Tightening your first two stitches on each needle will help avoid gaps between stitches.
Your fabric will seem loose and wobbly at first, but as it gets longer and heavier, the fabric will firm up and stabilize your needles.
If it helps, you can rest your needles on a table top as you cast on and knit your first few round.

Step 1: Knit Your Gauge Swatch

Gauge is the number of stitches per inch of yarn knit on a certain needle size. Knitting a gauge swatch is a necessary start to any knitting project. It is the step that guarantees the finished garment fits as it is meant to. The gauge for this pattern is 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch.

To Knit a Gauge Swatch:

Cast on 24 stitches and knit in the round for 4 inches.
Bind off loosely- Lay flat and count how many stitches you have per inch.
Wash and lay flat to dry.
Count how many stitches you have per inch as some yarns will change gauge with washing.

Step 2: Casting On and Joining in the Round

CO 40 sts to first of the needle.
Slip 13 sts onto a second needle.
Slip 13 sts onto a third needle.
Arrange needles into a triangle so the needles with the first 13 sts is parallel to your body. Be careful not to twist your stitches.
The needle to your left is needle two.
The needle to your right is needle three. Your working yarn should be on the side that meets needle one.
Knit working yarn from needle three into first st on needle one, joining to work in the round. This is the beginning of your round.

Tip

It is helpful to place a stitch marker between the first two stitches on needle one to mark the beginning of the round.

Step 3: Knit the Cuff

Ribbing is made by alternating knit and purl stitches. A 2 x 2 rib alternates 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches, repeated.

K2, p2. Repeat last 4 sts around.
Continue in this manner until cuff is 2 inches long or reaches desired length.
Once cuff is 2 inches long or desired length, switch to St st.
On first row of St st, increase two sts by knitting into the front and back of two stitches (kfb increase), for a total of 42 stitches.

Step 4: Thumb Gusset

Knit across 20 sts, pm, kfb, k1, kfb, pm, knit to end of round.
Knit 2 rounds even.
Knit to stitch marker, sm, kfb, knit to stitch before stitch marker, kfb, sm, knit to end of round.
Increase in this manner every 3 rows 3 more times for a total number of 13 sts between markers
On next round, place gusset sts on holder or waste yarn.
Cast 2 sts onto right needle to cover gap, knit to end. You should have 41 stitches.
Knit in St st until the hand is 4 inches from cuff or until it reaches the bottom of your pinky finger.

Step 5: Pinky Finger

Knitting the fingers, begin with pinky finger at beginning of round. This should be on the opposite side of the glove from the thumb gusset.

Knit 5 sts.
Place the next 32 sts on a holder.
Cast on 1 st over the gap.
Knit last 4 sts of round for a total of 10 sts in pinky finger.
Knit for 2 inches or until glove finger matches the length of your pinky finger.
On next round, k2tog 5 times.
Break yarn and pull through stitches.

Step 6: Add Length to Hand

You will need to add a little length to the hand before knitting the other fingers.

Place all of the stitches on the holder back on the needles, picking up 2 sts from cast on edge of the pinky finger for a total of 34 sts.
Knit 2 rounds.

Step 7: Ring Finger

Knit 6 sts.
Place next 22 sts on holder
Cast on 1 st over the gap
Knit last 6 sts for 13 sts in ring finger
Knit for 3 inches or until glove finger matches the length of your ring finger
On next round, k2tog until last 3 sts. k3tog.
Break yarn and pull through stitches.

Step 8: Middle Finger

Pick up 2 sts from cast on edge of ring finger with one DPN
With second DPN, slip first 5 sts off holder
With third DPN, slip last 5 sts off holder
Join to work in the round, casting on one stitch to cover gap for total of 13 sts
Knit for 3 inches or until glove finger matches the length of your middle finger.
On next round, k2tog until last 3 sts. K3tog.
Break yarn and pull through stitches.

Step 9: Index Finger

Place remaining 12 sts on DPNs.
Pick up 2 sts along cast on edge of middle finger for a total of 14 sts.
Knit until glove finger meaures 2 3/4 inches or matches the length of your index finger.
On next round, k2tog around.
Break yarn and pull through stitches.

Step 10: Thumb

Place held thumb gusset stitches on DPNs, picking up 2 sts from CO edge between hand and thumb for a total of 15 thumb sts.
Knit until glove thumb measures 2 inches or matches the length of your thumb.
On next round, k2tog until last three sts. k3tog.
Break yarn and pull through stitches.

Step 11: Finish Up

Weave in all loose ends, making sure to close up the gaps between the fingers and at the base of the thumb. Knit two.