Knitting a pair of gloves is a special experience, each finger its own tiny project, an occasion to focus and enjoy the moment. And knitting our Very Classic Gloves is uniquely gratifying, because they’re made in our incredibly beautiful Cygnet. Completely undyed, Cygnet is a mix of 70% white cashmere and 30% baby alpaca, whose range of natural shades contribute all the color to this yarn, giving each hue an earthy complexity and a gentle beauty.

You cast on and join to knit these gloves in the round, knitting a 1×1 ribbed cuff for several inches… Long enough to tuck up under your coat sleeve and keep your wrists warm! As you transition into the hand section, you knit in stockinette stitch, marking the gusset so you can increase and create space for your thumb. Once you’ve added enough stitches, you put the thumb stitches on hold and keep knitting to the base of your pinky.

Knitting on, each finger gets its moment in the spotlight, as you portion its stitches onto your needles, knit them in the round, and then do a quick decrease to the top (or if you’re knitting the fingerless version, bind off, once you’ve reached the length you need). Once the fingers are done, you go back to your thumb stitches and finish them off, too.

Even more beautiful in person, Cygnet’s natural color is both subtle and impactful. As you knit, it’s amazing to think about the origin of the color, about the goats and alpacas who grew their hair in such gentle colors to create such exquisitely soft yarn. 

Cygnet’s cashmere is the finest available. From the downy winter undercoat of goats, this fiber is designed by nature to be lightweight, warm, and outrageously soft. Similarly, “baby alpaca” is a term that refers not to the age of the animal it comes from, but to the fineness of its fleece. It means that the alpaca fiber in Cygnet is also extremely soft and a wonderful match for the cashmere.

This fingering-weight yarn is fine enough to wrap every bit of your hand in warmth without uncomfortable bulk, and Cygnet’s six tidy plies increase its strength and durability. It takes only one, two, or three skeins to make a pair of gloves, depending on the size and style you choose, so pick the lovely color that calls to you, and cast on for a truly stunning knit!

Based on Gem Gloves design by Whitney Van Nes and updated by Purl Soho designer, Gianna Mueller. Click here to see even more of Gianna’s designs!

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoVeryClassicGloves, and #PurlSohoCygnet. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Fingerless Version

• 1 (2, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Cygnet, 70% undyed white cashmere and 30% natural-color baby alpaca. Each skein is 164 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 160 (215, 250, 305) yards required for fingerless version. We used the color Rock Salt.

Full Glove Version

• 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins of Purl Soho’s Cygnet, 70% undyed white cashmere and 30% natural-color baby alpaca. Each skein is 164 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 210 (270, 310, 380) yards required for full glove version. We used Heirloom White.

You will also need…

• A set of US 2 (3 mm) double pointed needles
• Stitch markers, including 1 unique
• Stitch holder and scrap yarn

GAUGE

34 stitches and 40 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

SIZES

Kid/Junior (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)

• Finished Circumference at Palm: 6 (6¾, 7¼, 8¼) inches
• Fingerless Gloves Finished Length from Cuff to End of Middle Finger: 8½ (9½, 10½, 11¼) inches, with instructions to modify
• Gloves Finished Length from Cuff to Tip of Middle Finger: 10½ (11½, 12½, 13½) inches, with instructions to modify

NOTE: Finger length can vary a lot from person to person. While pattern provides lengths for each finger, test fit the gloves on the intended wearer, if possible, as you work the fingers.

Samples: We knit the Fingerless Version in Adult Large and the Full Glove Version in Adult Small.

PATTERN

CUFF

Cast 56 (66, 70, 80) stitches onto three double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place unique marker for end of round and join for working the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 3½ (4, 4½, 4½) inches from cast-on edge.

Work three rounds of stockinette stitch, knitting each round.

THUMB GUSSET

Round 1: *K7 (6, 6, 6), knit two together (k2tog), repeat from * to last 2 (2, 6, 0) stitches, k2 (2, 6, 0). [50 (58, 62, 70) stitches remain]

Round 2: Knit to end of round.

Round 3: K24 (28, 30, 34), place marker (pm), make 1 right (m1R), k2, make 1 left (m1L), pm, knit to end of round. [52 (60, 64, 72) stitches]

Rounds 4 and 5: Knit to end of round.

Round 6 (Increase Round): Knit to first marker, slip marker (sm), m1R, knit to next marker, m1L, sm, knit to end of round. [2 stitches increased)

Working in stockinette stitch, repeat Increase Round every 3rd round 3 (5, 3, 4) more times, then every 4th round 2 (1, 3, 3) time(s). [64 (74, 78, 88) stitches total; 16 (18, 18, 20) stitches between Thumb Gusset markers]

Next Round: Knit to end of round.

Next Round: Knit to first marker, remove marker, slip next 16 (18, 18, 20) stitches onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn, remove marker, turn work so wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 2 stitches, turn work so right side is facing you and continue to knit to end of round. [50 (58, 62, 70) stitches]

Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 3¼ (3½, 3¾, 4¼) inches from top of ribbing, or to base of your pinky.

PINKY

Dividing Round: K5 (6, 7, 8) slip next 40 (46, 48, 54) stitches onto a 12-inch length of scrap yarn, turn work so wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 3 stitches, turn work so right side is facing you. [5 (6, 7, 8) stitches remain to end of round; 13 (15, 17, 19) total working stitches]

NOTE: The scrap yarn should be long enough to hold stitches securely without tying the ends together. You’ll be working stitches from both ends of the scrap yarn as you work the remaining fingers. If you need to tie the ends to feel comfortable, use a loose knot that you can easily untie.

Distribute the 13 (15, 17, 19) stitches onto 3 double pointed needles, making sure working yarn remains accessible at end of a needle, and join for working in the round.

FINGERLESS VERSION ONLY

Knit evenly until Pinky measures ½ (¾, 1, 1¼) inches, or to right below first knuckle.

Loosely bind off stitches knitwise and continue to Ring Finger.

GLOVES ONLY

Knit evenly until Pinky measures 2 (2¼, 2½, 3) inches, or to tip of your actual pinky finger. Make sure when you try on the glove that the base of the pinky is snug inside the crook between your pinky and ring finger.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog] 4 (5, 5, 6) times, k1 (0, 2, 1). [9 (10, 12, 13) stitches remain]

Next Round: [K2tog] 4 (5, 6, 6) times, k1 (0, 0, 1). [5 (5, 6, 7) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread it through remaining stitches.

UPPER PALM

Slip the 40 (46, 48, 54) stitches from scrap yarn onto 3 double pointed needles. Hold glove so that Pinky is on the right and Thumb Gusset is on the left, and join yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail.

Next Round: Knit to end of round, then pick up and knit 3 stitches from base of Pinky. [43 (49, 51, 57) stitches]

Pm for bend of round and join for working in the round.

Knit 2 (3, 3, 3) rounds.

RING FINGER

Dividing Round: K6 (7, 7, 8), slip next 28 (32, 34, 38) stitches onto 12-inch length of scrap yarn, turn work so wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 3 stitches onto another double pointed needle, turn work so right side is facing you, use same needle to knit 3 (4, 4, 5) stitches, and with another double pointed needle, knit last 6 stitches. [18 (20, 20, 22) stitches]

Join for working in the round.

FINGERLESS VERSION ONLY

Knit evenly until Ring Finger measures 1 (1¼, 1½, 1¾) inches, or to right below first knuckle.

Loosely bind off stitches knitwise and continue to Middle Finger.

GLOVES ONLY

Knit evenly until Ring Finger measures 2¾ (3, 3¼, 3¾) inches, or to tip of your actual ring finger.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog] 6 (6, 6, 7) times, k0 (2, 2, 1). [12 (14, 14, 15) stitches remain]

Next Round: [K2tog] 6 (7, 7, 7) times, k0 (0, 0, 1). [6 (7, 7, 8) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread it through remaining stitches.

MIDDLE FINGER

Slip 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches from each end of remaining stitches onto 2 double pointed needles. [6 (7, 8, 9) stitches on each needle; 12 (14, 16, 18) stitches total]

Hold glove so that Pinky and Ring Finger are on the right and Thumb Gusset is on the left, and join yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail.

Next Round: Knit 6 (7, 7, 9) stitches from front needle, turn work so wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 3 (3, 2, 2) stitches onto another double pointed needle, turn work so right side is again facing you, use same needle to knit 3 stitches from back needle, and with another double pointed needle, knit last 3 (4, 5, 6) stitches and then pick up and knit 3 stitches from base of Ring Finger. [18 (20, 21, 23) stitches]

Join for working in the round.

FINGERLESS VERSION ONLY

Knit evenly until Middle Finger measures 1¼ (1½, 1¾, 2) inches, or to right below first knuckle.

Loosely bind off stitches knitwise and continue to Index Finger.

GLOVES ONLY

Knit evenly until Middle Finger measures 3 (3¼, 3½, 4) inches, or to tip of your actual middle finger.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog] 6 (6, 7, 7) times, k0 (2, 0, 2). [12 (14, 14, 16) stitches remain]

Next Round: [K2tog] 6 (7, 7, 8) times. [6 (7, 7, 8) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread it through remaining stitches.

INDEX FINGER

Slip remaining 16 (18, 18, 20) stitches onto 2 double pointed needles. [8 (9, 9, 10) stitches on each needle]

Hold glove so that Pinky, Ring and Middle Fingers are on the right and the Thumb Gusset is on the left, and join yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail.

Next Round: Knit 6 (7, 7, 8) stiches from front needle; with another double pointed needle, knit remaining 2 stitches from front needle and 4 (5, 5, 6) stitches from back needle; with another double pointed needle, knit remaining 4 stitches and pick up 3 stitches from base of Middle Finger. [19 (21, 21, 23) stitches]

Join for working in the round.

FINGERLESS VERSION ONLY

Knit evenly until Index Finger measures 1 (1¼, 1½, 1¾) inches, or to right below first knuckle.

Loosely bind off stitches knitwise and continue to Thumb.

GLOVES ONLY

Knit evenly until Index Finger measures 2¾ (3, 3¼, 3¾) inches, or to tip of your actual index finger.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog] 6 (7, 7, 7) times, k1 (0, 0, 2). [13 (14, 14, 16) stitches remain]

Next Round: [K2tog] 6 (7, 7, 8) times, k1 (0, 0, 0). [7 (7, 7, 8) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread it through remaining stitches.

THUMB

Slip 16 (18, 18, 20) on-hold Thumb Gusset stitches evenly onto 2 double pointed needles.

Hold glove so fingers are on the right, and join yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail.

Next Round: Knit 6 (7, 7, 8) stiches from front needle; with another double pointed needle, knit remaining 2 stitches from front needle and 4 (5, 5, 6) stitches from back needle; with another double pointed needle, knit remaining 4 stitches and pick up 3 stitches from base of Thumb. [19 (21, 21, 23) stitches]

Join for working in the round.

FINGERLESS VERSION ONLY

Knit evenly until Thumb measures ½ (¾, 1, 1¼) inches, or to right below first knuckle.

Loosely bind off stitches knitwise.

GLOVES ONLY

Knit evenly until Thumb measures 1½ (1¾, 2, 2¼) inches, or to tip of your actual thumb.

Next Round: [K1, k2tog] 6 (7, 7, 7) times, k1 (0, 0, 2). [13 (14, 14, 16) stitches remain]

Next Round: [K2tog] 6 (7, 7, 8) times, k1 (0, 0, 0). [7 (7, 7, 8) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread it through remaining stitches.

FINISHING

Weave in the ends, using long tails to close gaps and holes at the base of each finger.

Make another identical glove.

Gently wet block and enjoy!