Knitting gloves? You dare not! For now, you new to knitting are content to knit scarves with straight needles. It’s already very good ! But protecting your hands from the cold with hand knitted gloves is better. And it’s a project entirely within your reach! If it is possible to proceed with circular needles , today we are going to present you another method. Learn the steps to successfully knit gloves with double-pointed needles .
MAKE A SAMPLE: ESSENTIAL STEP BEFORE MAKING KNITTED GLOVES
It is always good to remember this, especially for beginner knitters: even to make an accessory (glove type), it is essential to make a sample before you start. It is a question of knitting a square of 10 x 10 cm in order to check if your way of knitting corresponds to that of the chosen model. So you can compare your sample with the one shown.
If there is a discrepancy, choose another size (diameter) of knitting needles: bigger (if the sample is smaller) or smaller (if the sample is larger). Otherwise, you risk knitting giant gloves!
Good to know: it is better to knit gloves that are a little loose, because if they are too tight or too small, they will not be comfortable and may not keep your hands warm by compressing them. Also, if you make jacquard patterns (in several colors), remember that this technique almost always leads to shrinkage of the work. Indeed, you will tend to knit tighter. In this case, feel free to use slightly larger needles than indicated.
KEY STEPS FOR KNITTING GLOVES WITH DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES
Step 1: Cast on the stitches
Cast on the number of stitches indicated for the chosen pattern on a double-pointed needle, leaving a long end of yarn.
Distribute the stitches evenly on 4 of the 5 double-pointed needles to knit the first round.
Close in circles. Place a marker (additional thread for example) to mark the start of the round and move it upwards as you go.
Step 2: knit the wrist and the beginning of the body
Start knitting the cuff according to the pattern directions. Continue by knitting the body of the glove, that is to say the “palm and back of the hand” part, up to the thumb.
Step 3: mark the location of the thumb
Mark the position of the thumb with an additional thread (contrasting color). It is a question of knitting the stitches of the thumb with the annex thread (use a resistant thread of equivalent size or finer).
Note: the thumb is done on needle 3 for the right glove and needle 2 for the left glove.
Knot the ends of the annex wire to prevent it from accidentally coming undone.
Return the thumb stitches (or slip them) to the left needle and knit with the main thread (or according to the pattern of the model).
Step 4: Finish the Body
Finish knitting the body until the beginning of the little finger.
Step 5: knit the fingers
You will need to separate and distribute the stitches between the 4 fingers (by mounting additional stitches, 3 for example, between each finger).
You will knit them in the following order: the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger and finally the little finger.
Separate the stitches of the little finger into 2 sections (front and back), i.e. 9 stitches each. Knit a row with an annex yarn. Then transfer the 2 sections (9 stitches) to safety pins and leave them on hold.
Before starting to knit the other fingers, cast on additional stitches (3 for example) between the little finger (on the safety pins) and the other fingers. Knit 2 rounds. This step is essential, because the other fingers start slightly higher than the little finger.
Then separate the stitches of the ring finger and middle finger with safety pins. There remains the number of stitches needed on the needle for the index finger (for example 2 x 10 stitches).
Cast on stitches (3 for example) between the index and middle fingers and distribute these 23 stitches over 3 double-pointed needles.
Knit in the round until the desired height or until the height reaches halfway up your nail.
Decrease index finger until 6 stitches remain in total.
Repeat on each needle *pass the second stitch over the first* to have 3 stitches.
Cut about 15-20 cm of yarn and pass it through the stitches of the last round to tighten (without fixing it for the moment).
To knit the middle finger, cast on stitches (3 for example) between the middle finger and the ring finger. Pick up the first group of stitches on hold (9 stitches) on the safety pin. Pick up and knit 3 stitches at the base of the index finger.
Take the second group of stitches on hold (i.e. 24 stitches). Divide them over 3 double-pointed needles. Finish as for the index finger (until the opening closes).
Knit the ring finger, then the little finger according to the same principle.
Step 6: knit the thumb
Pick up the stitches all around the annex thread. Use a double-pointed needle for the lower part and another for the upper part.
Pick up 1 stitch at each corner of the thumb opening (between the lower and upper needles). To do this, prick the tip of an annex needle under the left strand and slide it onto the right needle as shown by the arrow in the drawing.
Distribute the stitches evenly on 4 double-pointed needles and remove the annex yarn.
Next, knit the thumb. During the first round, knit the raised stitches (at the corners) in a twisted way (i.e. knit them by the back strand) to avoid the formation of holes.
Knit until the desired height or until you reach half of the nail, then make the decreases as for the other fingers until you close the thumb.
Step 7: complete the finishes
You have almost finished your first hand knitted glove, well done! All you have to do is tuck the wires in.
And don’t forget to block! This step makes it possible to obtain a perfect finish and to eliminate all the small imperfections. To do this, several methods exist. For example, you can spray cold water on your knitting until it is wet but not soggy. Gently press your hands on your work to work the water into the stitches. Pin it flat (on a towel for example) to give it a good shape or stretch it if needed. And let it dry.
You can now proudly wear the glove you knit! But the best would be to knit a second one for your other hand.