Socrates Gloves

Socrates Gloves by Edie Eckman

What Is Being Made

The Socrates Gloves are a pair of knitted winter gloves designed to fit an adult woman's hand. These gloves feature a palm circumference of 7 inches [18 cm] and offer adjustable finger length, making them a versatile accessory for cold weather. The design combines both functional warmth and decorative elements, making them suitable as a thoughtful handmade gift or personal project.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This knitting project employs several key techniques that make it accessible to advanced beginners and intermediate knitters. The primary construction method uses circular knitting on double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction in the round—a technique essential for creating fitted gloves without seams.

The stitch pattern features a faggoting pattern on the back of the hands, which adds visual interest and texture to the design. The faggoting pattern is completed before the fingers are started, meaning knitters work the decorative element on the hand portion first, then transition to the simpler finger sections. The base stitch used throughout is stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, classic fabric.

For those seeking simplification or customization, the pattern explicitly allows knitters to omit the faggoting stitch pattern entirely and work in stockinette stitch throughout. Alternatively, knitters can experiment with stripes or other fancy stitch patterns once they have mastered the basic construction technique. This flexibility makes the pattern adaptable to various skill levels and personal preferences.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Socrates Gloves require approximately 200 yards [183 m] of fingering weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Alpaca With A Twist, a luxury blend yarn containing 30% baby alpaca, 10% bamboo, 20% nylon, and 50% other fibers. One 3.5 oz [100 g] skein provides 400 yards [365 m] of yardage, meaning a single skein contains more than enough yarn for this project.

Construction requires a set of 4 or 5 US size 4 [3.5 mm] double-pointed knitting needles, or the size necessary to achieve the correct gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and position changes, and waste yarn for stitch holders to secure stitches during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 38 rounds over 4 inches [10 cm] when working stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is emphasized as important before beginning the project, ensuring that the finished gloves will fit properly and that the yarn yardage will be sufficient.

The gloves are offered in one size to fit an adult woman, with the finger length noted as easily adjustable, allowing knitters to customize the length to their preference or the recipient's hand measurements.