Mastering the Art of Knitting Gloves: A Guide to Using Circular Needles

Do you love the cozy and warm feeling of handmade gloves, but find traditional knitting needles to be cumbersome and difficult to manage? Look no further than circular needles! With their unique design, circular needles make knitting a seamless and enjoyable experience. And what better way to dive into this technique than by making your very own gloves? In this article, we will explore the art of knitting gloves with circular needles, providing you with all the knowledge and tips you need to create a perfect pair for the colder months ahead. So grab your needles and let’s get started on this exciting journey!

Overview of Knitting Gloves with Circular Needles

Knitting gloves with circular needles is a popular technique among knitters who want to create a seamless and professional-looking finish. It involves using a set of circular needles instead of traditional straight needles to knit in the round. This allows for continuous and uninterrupted knitting, resulting in a more comfortable and efficient process.

Circular needles come in various lengths and sizes, making it easier to create different sizes of gloves. They are also great for knitting small circumference items such as gloves, socks, hats, and sleeves. Although using circular needles may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually quite easy to get the hang of it with some practice. In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of knitting gloves with circular needles.

Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles

Choosing the right yarn is essential for knitting gloves successfully. When selecting yarn for your gloves, you want something that is durable and warm, yet soft enough to comfortably wear on your hands. Wool or wool-blend yarns are great options as they provide warmth while being soft to touch.

The gauge or thickness of your yarn should also be taken into consideration when choosing your circular needle size. Most glove patterns recommend using a fingering or sport weight yarn which requires smaller needle sizes (typically US 1-3). However, make sure to always check the pattern instructions for the recommended needle size as it may vary depending on the type of yarn used.

Cast On

To start knitting gloves with circular needles, you need to cast on stitches onto your needles. There are various ways to cast on stitches, but we will cover the most commonly used ones in this guide – long-tail cast on and knitted cast on.

Long-tail cast on is an easy method where you create a loop around your thumb and index finger and use the long tail of the yarn to cast on stitches. Knitted cast on, on the other hand, creates a more stretchy edge and is great for gloves that need some extra give around the cuffs.

Joining in the Round

Once you have cast on your stitches, it’s time to join your work in the round. Hold both ends of your circular needle with your left hand and make sure that all your stitches are facing inward. Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle and start knitting.

Make sure to be careful not to twist your stitches when joining in the round as it can throw off your pattern and result in an ill-fitting glove. It might help to place a stitch marker on the first stitch to keep track of where you started.

Knitting the Glove

Now comes the fun part – knitting the glove! Follow the instructions in your pattern carefully, making sure to keep track of any increases or decreases if needed. Circular needles allow for continuous knitting, meaning you won’t have to turn your work like you do with straight needles.

You can use various techniques such as stranded colorwork or lacework to add some flair to your gloves. Remember to also try on your work periodically to check for fit and make any necessary adjustments before continuing.

Making The Thumb

No glove is complete without a thumb! Depending on your pattern, you may need to create a separate section for the thumb or continue knitting in a straight line. For gloves with a separate thumb section, you will need to place some of your stitches (usually 10-15) onto waste yarn or a stitch holder before continuing with the rest of the glove.

Once you have completed knitting the rest of the glove, go back and pick up these held stitches onto a needle and follow the thumb instructions in your pattern to create the thumb section. For gloves with a straight line, you will need to use techniques such as increasing or short rows to shape the thumb.

Knitting The Fingers

Similar to the thumb, some glove patterns may require you to knit separate finger sections while others may have you continue knitting in a straight line. For separate finger sections, you will need to place stitches onto waste yarn or a stitch holder before continuing. Then using double-pointed needles (DPNs) or magic loop technique, you can follow the instructions in your pattern to create each finger.

For gloves with a straight line, you will again use techniques such as increasing or short rows to shape the fingers. Remember to also try on your gloves periodically and make any necessary adjustments for a perfect fit.

Finishing The Glove

Once all fingers and thumbs are completed, it’s time for finishing touches. Follow the instructions in your pattern for binding off and weaving in any loose ends. You can also choose to add embellishments such as buttons, embroidery, or beads for a unique touch.

It’s important to block your gloves after completion by washing them according to the yarn’s instructions and shaping them into their final size. This helps even out any stitches

Understanding How to Knit Gloves

Knitting gloves can seem like a daunting task, especially when using circular needles. However, with the right techniques and some patience, it can be a fun and rewarding project to take on. Circular needles are often used for knitting in the round, which provides a seamless finish for gloves. This eliminates the need for sewing multiple pieces together.

To get started, make sure you have all your materials ready – circular needles (preferably in size 4), yarn of your choice, stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle, and a pattern for glove making. Once you have everything in place, follow these steps to create your own pair of gloves using circular needles.

Casting On

The first step in knitting gloves is casting on. Make a slipknot at one end of the needle and slide it onto the needle. Hold the needle with the knot in your right hand and use your left hand to hold the yarn tail securely. Insert your right needle into the loop on your left needle from front to back, wrap the working yarn around from back to front between both needles forming another loop. Then pull that loop through the first one on your left-hand needle.

Continue repeating this process till you have enough stitches (depending on your pattern) on your right-hand needle. Make sure to keep all stitches loose as you knit; otherwise it could become difficult to slide your stitches along the circular needles.

Creating Ribbing

Ribbing is often used at the wrist section of gloves as it adds elasticity that allows them to fit comfortably around the hand. To make ribbing using circular needles, follow these steps:

– First knit one stitch

– Bring yarn between two needles towards front

– Perform purl stitch by inserting through front leg of next stitch from bottom towards top; drop original stitch off LH pin

– Take yarn on R-hand pin and pass it over top of LH pin and lay it down between both pins in the front position

– Repeat above set of steps until you have reached desired ribbing length

Body of the Glove

Once you have completed your ribbing, you can start working on the hand section. This is where your circular needles will come into action. You will be creating a continuous loop around your needles which will eliminate the need to join and seam later.

Knit the required number of rows according to your pattern. Remember to keep all stitches loose as you work with circular needles. Also, use stitch markers to mark any crucial points in your pattern, such as increasing or decreasing.

Thumb Gusset

The thumb gusset is an important part of glove-making and is usually found in patterns for gloves knitted using circular needles. It provides extra fabric to make room for the thumb without adding too many bulk stitches.

To make a thumb gusset, you will need to increase stitches on either side of a designated stitch, usually placed at the side of the hand. This gives the glove its signature shape that fits comfortably onto fingers and thumbs.

Creating Fingers

Fingers are one of the trickiest parts when it comes to knitting gloves. However, using circular needles can make the process easier as you won’t have to seam multiple pieces together. To create fingers, divide your hand stitches according to how many fingers are needed (usually four for a pair of gloves) and transfer them onto double-pointed needles.

Follow your pattern instructions carefully for shaping each finger. You may also use stitch markers along each finger section to keep track and ensure they all come out evenly sized.

Binding Off

Once all four fingers are completed, you can now bind off your stitches using a tapestry needle. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail to weave in later. Thread it through a tapestry needle and slip all your live stitches onto it, freeing up your needles.

To bind off, insert the tapestry needle into the first knit stitch on the front needle, then into the first purl stitch on back needle from front to back (leaving behind one purl stitch on right-hand pin), then draw thread through both stitches and gently pull both pins apart so that the next two stitches can be worked. Continue repeating this process until all stitches are bound off.

Weaving in Ends

The last step before trying out your new gloves is to weave in any loose ends from your yarn. With a tapestry needle, weave in ends by passing the thread through several stitches close to each other on the wrong side of your work.

After you have secured all loose threads, you can turn your glove inside out and admire your finished product! With circular needles, any imperfections or seams are eliminated giving you a seamless and professional-looking pair of gloves.

Learning how to knit gloves using circular needles may seem intimidating at first, but with practice and following these steps carefully, it can become a fun and easy project

1. What are the benefits of using circular needles to knit gloves?
Circular needles are ideal for knitting small and round projects like gloves because they eliminate the need for seams and can hold a larger number of stitches. They also distribute the weight of the project evenly, making it more comfortable to knit for extended periods.

2. Can I use any type of yarn when knitting gloves with circular needles?
Yes, you can use any type of yarn as long as it is suitable for the needle size you are using. However, if you are making a functional pair of gloves, it is best to choose a yarn that is durable and can withstand frequent use and washing.

3. Do I need to use double-pointed needles at any point when knitting gloves with circular needles?
No, you do not need to switch to double-pointed needles while knitting gloves with circular needles. The magic loop method can be used to knit smaller circumference projects, such as fingers, without needing additional needles.

4. How do I determine the correct size of circular needle needed for my glove project?
You should choose a needle size slightly smaller than what is recommended for the yarn you are using to achieve a tight and sturdy fabric. Alternatively, you can also swatch with your chosen needle size before starting the project to ensure gauge accuracy.

5. Is it possible to knit two gloves at once using circular needles?
Yes, it is possible to knit two gloves simultaneously on one long circular needle using the magic loop method. This allows you to avoid any discrepancies in size between two separate knitted pieces and saves time by completing both gloves at once.

6.What should I do if my gauge changes while knitting with circular needles?
If your gauge changes while knitting on circular needles, it could be due to different tensions in your left and right hands or a change in needle size. To fix this, try to knit with a looser tension or switch to a smaller or larger needle size to achieve consistent gauge throughout your project.

In conclusion, knitting gloves with circular needles is a great way to create a versatile and stylish accessory while also honing your knitting skills. Throughout this guide, we have discussed the necessary materials and steps needed to successfully knit a pair of gloves with circular needles. We have also explored various techniques and tips to enhance the overall appearance and fit of the gloves.

One of the key takeaways from this topic is the importance of choosing the right yarn and needle size for your project. This not only affects the texture and thickness of the gloves but also plays a significant role in achieving a perfect fit. Additionally, learning how to properly join stitches in circular knitting can greatly impact the overall look and functionality of your gloves.

Furthermore, practicing different stitch patterns can add variety and uniqueness to your gloves, making them truly one-of-a-kind. Techniques such as ribbing, cables, and fair isle can elevate the aesthetics of your gloves while also providing additional warmth and strength.

It is also worth noting that knitting often requires patience, practice, and trial-and-error. But with determination and perseverance, one can master this art form and create beautiful handmade items like knitted gloves.

Overall, knitting gloves with circular needles is not only a fun and rewarding hobby but also a practical skill that allows for customization according

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.