Part of this pattern is pretty much lifted wholesale from Kris Percival’s “Warmest Mittens” pattern in her book Knitting Pretty (which, if you’re new to knitting, is a pretty goddamn good resource for getting good pattern by pattern, with explanations of skills not often explained in patterns). So thanks, Kris Percival, for teaching me how to knit a thumb gusset.
1 (or 2 or 3, if doing a multicolor variation) skein of sport weight yarn (marked with a 2 and “Fine” on the label, because I can never figure out what the hell any of these random weight descriptors have to do with any of the actual factual weights)
1 set (4 needles) of 5 mm (US 8) double-pointed needles (we’re knitting in the round on this one, kiddies)
2 stitch markers (which I made with loops of yarn of a contrasting color. Just be careful not to knit them right into your gauntlets)
1 stitch holder (or, if you’re a cheater like me, a single-pointed needle with a stopper on the pointy end, or another double-pointed needle with stoppers on both ends. Hack your knitting, folks)
Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Scissors, probably, unless you cut your yarn with a Bowie knife, in which case I’m not gonna stop you.
Cast on 36 stitches onto one of the double-pointed 5 mm needles.
(This step can be done either now or after working a few rows not in the round, to avoid twisting your work or otherwise messing it up.) Slip 12 stitches to one of the other needles, then 12 from the other end to the third needle.
Knit 10 rounds in knit 2, purl 2 rib.
(Multicolor variation: switch to second color here.) Knit 2 rounds in stockinette. Since you’re working in the round, this is just knit all the way around, no purl in sight.
Knit 1, then place a stitch marker immediately after the stitch on your right needle. Increase 1, knit 1, place your second marker, increase 1 after the second marker. You should have three stitches between the markers. Knit the rest of the round, then 2 more straight rounds after it, slipping markers from left to right needle when you come to them but otherwise ignoring them like they’re the ex you see on the street.
On the next round, increase 1 right after the first marker and again right before the second marker. You’ll have 5 stitches between the markers. Knit two more rounds straight.
Repeat the previous step 4 more times; you should have 13 stitches between the two markers and two rounds since increasing.
Knit 1 stitch as if starting a new round, then take off the first marker. Slip the 13 stitches before the second marker to your stitch holder/jury-rigged needle. Knit the rest of the round. There should be 35 stitches total. Yes, there will seem to be a hole. Yes, you will close it up later. I promise. Don’t panic.
(Multicolor variation: switch back to your first color (or your third color? Or whatever) here.) Increase 1, so you’re back to 36 stitches. Knit 5 rounds in the same knit 2, purl 2 rib as you started with. (You should start with purling 2 right after the increase 1, since the increase becomes the knit 2.)
Bind of in the same rib if you want, or in knit if you don’t.
Remember those 13 stitches? Yeah, neither did I. Pick them back up onto one of your double-pointed 5 mm needles. Slip your 3 right stitches to one of the other needles, and your 6 left stitches to yet another. (There’ll be 4 stitches left on the middle needle.)
(Multicolor variation: use your first color (or whatever number you’re on).) Leaving a long tail (to sew holes closed with), increase 1, then continue in k2p2 rib as at the top of the gauntlet. You’ll end with knit 2 instead of purl 2. It’s fine. It’ll be on the inside of your thumb. Knit 5 rounds in the rib, then bind off, again, either in rib or knit, whichever root beers your float.
Use your yarn needle and the leftover tails to sew up the holes (and sew together the cuff if you waited a few rows like I did before joining it up).
Repeat the whole damn thing again to make your second gauntlet. (I know, I know: do this all again? What? I swear it’s easier the second time around.)
Bam. Pretty fingerless gloves, with plenty yarn left over to make some for your friends too. Go forth and be gauntleted.
