reblog

Fingerless gloves are perfect for spring and summer. If you are planning to knit one, it is quite easy and quick and always works easily with your stash. Fingerless gloves were preferred by fishermen and sailors to keep hands warm while not struggling with manual dexterity and in the 80s, it became a fashion statement. So, let's get started. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to knit fingerless gloves.

Before that let’s take a look at the knitting needles to craft a pair of gloves along with yarn and a pattern.

Knitting Needles - You can knit fingerless gloves on any knitting needles in your collection. Knit them flat with single-pointed or circular needles and join the seams to make a round. Or, seamlessly knit in the round with circular or double-pointed needles (DPNs), depending on your preference. For circulars, either choose a length smaller than the project circumference. Another option is the Magic Loop technique that requires an extra-long circular knitting needle. This works for knitting even the smallest circumference. Another advanced knitting technique is knitting with two circulars and having two gloves grow on the needle at the same time. DPNs make ideal tools for small projects but requires handling multiple pointy ends.

Yarn – A small and quick project, fingerless gloves can be easily knit with a small quantity of yarn often times found in your stash. Multiple colours or yarns can work beautifully for a fingerless gloves pattern. You can knit gloves with fine lightweight yarns or chunky wool depending on the look you want.

Pattern – A knitting pattern works like a map. It instructs the steps on knitting. There are multiple patterns to explore from. You can knit fingerless gloves without a pattern. If you worked on a pair of socks or even a hat, you understand knitting in the round and that is how you’ll knit the gloves.

To make things easier, we’ve a step-by-step tutorial for knitting fingerless gloves. Whether you opt for double pointed knitting needles (DPNs) or a pair of circulars, you might want to choose two sizes though. The smaller needles are ideal for the rib stitch edge while the larger ones are best for working on the wrist. Before you start, first knit a gauge swatch with the bigger knitting needle size and yarn.

Step 1: Cast on stitches on 3 DPNs or a circular needle length that is smaller than gloves circumference. The number of stitches can be calculated with the gauge swatch. Join your stitches in the round any method you prefer but be careful not to twist the stitches.

Step 2: Knit in the round a 2 x 2 ribbing pattern (knit 2, purl 2) until you’ve 8-10 cm of knitted fabric. For the next section opt for a garter stitch edge of 6-8 rounds and continue in stockinette stitch. 

Step 3: When you reach the wrist, switch to bigger needles and continue to knit in stockinette stitch in the round for 2- 4 cm. 

Step 4: Place a stitch marker at the beginning of your round for the thumb opening. Just write it down that for your second glove; the thumb opening will have to be marked on the opposite side. The exact stitch number will depend on the cast on stitches.

Step 5: In this step, you will be knitting in the round while increasing one stitch on each side of the marker in every third or fourth round. You can work any knitting increase with KFB (knit front and back) or YO (yarn over).

Step 6: Use a stitch holder to carry the increased stitches and the marked and continue to knit in the round. Be careful to avoid laddering of the connecting stitches.

Step 7: Knit for another 5-7 rounds, switch your needles to the smaller size and knit two or three ribbed edge (or any edge you prefer for finishing your glove). Bind off all your stitches according to your pattern, knitwise for knit stitches and purlwise for purl stitches.

Step 8: Pick up the stitches from the stitch holder on your knitting needle and additionally pick up six or seven new stitches from the edge behind the thumb stitches. Distribute them evenly on three DPNs. Now the double points are the best option here as you’ll only have a few stitches on hand.

Step 9: Knit 1 round in knit stitch, then continue 5-6 rounds in rib 2 x 2 rib pattern. Bind off the stitches, cut the thread, and weave in all your yarn tails.

Step 10: Craft the second glove like the first one.

With this tutorial you are ready to knit fingerless gloves. For spring you can make some leaf motifs or work with vibrant shades. Duplicate stitches with a darning needle can also be used for some interesting colorwork. With stainless steel knitting needles from the Mindful Collection you can enjoy smooth crafting. Choose DPNs or fixed circulars or an interchangeable knitting needle or even a needle set. Along with needles, explore knitting accessories that assist with smooth crafting.

Source: https://www.zupyak.com/p/3580727/t/how-to-knit-fingerless-gloves

Double pointed needles are one of the oldest knitting needles, as old as knitting itself. In the past days, DPNs were the only option for knitting in the round. Today, while there are options of knitting with a circular needle (with a smaller length than the circumference of the project), the magic loop technique as well as two circular needles, DPNs are still loved by knitters. They are particularly used for projects such as baby socks, hats and sweaters but can be used for adult-size socks, hats and more.

With tapered points on either end, the double-pointed knitting needles (DPNs) are perfect for knitting small circumferences. Unlike the regular straight needles, DPNs come in sets of four or five of which three or four are used to make a circumference and the extra needle is used to knit. This gives the freedom of a circumference you want to create. While circular needles are restricted by the needle tip and cable length, double points do not face any such barrier. In fact, many knitters who cast on projects with circular needles for the entire project, switch to double points when the stitches are very few or when you have decrease to shape a hat or other projects in the round.

Like other knitting needles, the double-pointed needles come in a range of sizes 6″ and 8″ in a standard range of sizes. The 6-inch needles are ideal for knitting gloves, mittens and socks and 8-inch knitting needles are for hats, sweaters, and larger items. Working with the multiple tips while knitting in the round can be intimidating at first, but with time and trial, you will discover your ease of work.

How to knit in the round with double-pointed Needles?

Knitting with DPNs is similar to working with any other regular knitting needle. You cast on stitches, join the round, and knit or purl the stitches until you have completed the pattern instructions or knit the desired measurements.

Cast on

Cast on stitches in your preferred technique on one single needle tip. Casting stitches on multiple needles will be difficult to manage so it is best to cast on one. Say, for example, you have cast on 30 stitches then divide 10 stitches into three needles so that each needle has about the same number of stitches. If you are working with four needles, move 8, 7, 7 & 8 stitches. While moving be careful not to drop any stitches.

Place the needles with the cast on stitches and form a triangle or a square as mentioned in the pattern of the knitting project. Take care to not twist your stitches as it will result in wonky loops.

Join the Round

Joining the cast on stitches is the most important step when knitting in the round. There are many ways to join the stitches, the simplest way is casting on an extra stitch and simply slipping it into the knitting needle and joining the round.

Knitting in the round 

Now, using your extra (fourth or fifth needle) that is not used for the circumference start to knit the stitches. Like regular knitting, the needle with the first cast on stitches is held in the left hand.

After knitting, the stitches will be transferred to the extra needle in your right hand. Now, rotate your project clockwise and use the needle that has just been freed up to knit along the stitches on the next needle.

Continue going round after round. Use stitch markers generously. To mark the start of the round place a stitch marker on the second last stitch on the needle or use a locking stitch marker. While you work with two needles at a time, the rest of the needles will hang on the project as you. When you switch between the knitting needles make sure to avoid gaps or ladders. Keep a tight grip on the yarn for the last two stitches of the round particularly.

It is also recommended to move the stitches after a few rounds. Keeping the working needle on the top always as if the needle is trapped under other needles, the stitches might be overstretched and uncomfortable to work with.

Finishing off

Continue knitting with your DPNs till you have achieved your desired length. Different projects and patterns will have different ways to finish off. The top of the hat or the closed end of socks, may not need to bind off as you can now work them with a darning needle.

With this, get ready to start on knitting projects with DPNs. You can have individual needles or a double-pointed needle set. Explore the Mindful Collection for stainless steel knitting needles. Perfect pointy tips, smooth surface, sturdy construction and inspirational word imprinted on the needle tip make it the perfect DPNs for your projects.

So, are you now ready to take up double-pointed knitting needles?

Source: https://knitpromindful.bcz.com/2023/03/04/how-to-knit-in-the-round-with-double-pointed-needles/

To cast-on stitches on the knitting needles is the first step of any knitting project whether you knit back and forth or round. It is the first stitch of the row or round on your knitting needles whether you work with single-pointed, circular, or double-pointed needles. You must have heard the proverb; “A good start makes the rest easier”. and that is why it is important to have the right way to cast on knitting and lay the foundation of your project. In your knitting practice, someday you might come across the instruction to cast on with two needles. To help you do that in this blog post we’ll walk you through the steps on how to cast on knitting with two needles.

The craft of knitting is like the knitters, diverse and unique. There is no right or wrong method to cast on stitches. If you are following a knitting pattern you may be given instructions on how to go about it but many times it will be left to your choice. The method to cast stitches depends on the project. Socks require a stretchy edge while a sweater or a blanket would be requiring some other way. It also depends on the fact that every knitter is different, each one has a different style of tensioning the gauge.

Why Cast on with two needles?

There are many reasons to use two knitting needles to cast stitches. It may be the design or the knitter's comfort. The result is generally a much stretchier edge. This is particularly amazing for lace projects, 2×2 or 3X3 rib stitches, and similar patterns. In comparison to the basic methods, it’s a bit more complicated to do worth investing the extra time and effort.

If the purpose is to cast on with two needles is design then both needle tips will have the stitches that will be worked in the next rows or rounds. It is recommended to choose circular needles for the purpose. You can cast stitches on the needles at the same time by making loops with the cable of the needle.

If the two needles are used for a knitter’s comfort in getting loose gauge then you treat the needles as one. Once you have the number of stitches (do not forget to count the slip knot as the first stitch) carefully remove one needle from the arrangement and start working the first row or round.

Before you cast on, first gather your supplies

• Knitting needles: Choose any needles according to the pattern recommendation or the project. Use any pair of single-pointed or circulars if you are going to knit back and forth. For knitting in rounds, use a set of double-pointed needles, one-circular or even two-circular needles. Make sure to work with the right needle size as you may require to work with two different sizes or the same size.

In case you just want to practice, use needles that are easy for you to work with. We recommend using sizes such as US 6 (4mm), US 7 (4.5mm), or US 8 (5mm) in lengths according to the number of cast-on stitches you need.

• Yarn: If you are following a pattern you will have the information; if not, go for yarns that allow you to see stitch formation. Try 4-ply DK yarn or anything that you have in your stash.

Cast on with Two single-pointed needles

Now if you’ve got two STNs make sure to hold them as one. You can use the same size or use a different size. Once you have made the loops, remove the single-point needle from the yarn.

Cast on with Two Double-Pointed Needles

DPNs are used to knit in the round so use both needle tips as one. Here you need to be extra cautious as the stitches might slip. It is recommended to use needles of different sizes. Remove the smaller needle and then divide the stitches into the rest of the three or four double points.

Cast on with One Circular needle

When working with circular needles you can either make seamless tubes or knit back and forth. If you are knitting back and forth then simply remove the needle length in a way that the loosely cast stitches can sit comfortably on the cable. And, if you are knitting round then too remove the tip and join the stitches.

Cast on with Two Circular needles

Two Circular needles can make it easier to work the smallest circumferences or two socks at one time. Here the needles will have individual cast stitches that you will be working on in the first round.

Now whatever knitting needles you use, the steps will be to make a slip knot. This can be on both needles as one or individual knots on both needles. Then make loops on the needles that you will work on the next row or rounds.

With this, you can successfully try to cast on your knitting with two needles according to the pattern or as your project demands.

Happy casting!

Source: https://www.zupyak.com/p/3478376/t/how-to-cast-on-knitting-with-two-needles