Fingerless Gloves in Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted - F181

Fingerless Gloves in Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted – Pattern F181

This free downloadable knitting pattern from the Plymouth Yarn Design Studio guides knitters through creating a pair of cozy, stylish fingerless gloves worked in the round using Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted yarn. Designated pattern number F181, this design is offered free with a yarn purchase and is an excellent project for knitters comfortable with basic circular knitting and simple stitch variations.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a pair of fingerless gloves, each measuring approximately 8 inches wide by 8 inches long (with the pattern noting a total working length of up to 9 inches or desired length). Fingerless gloves, also known as mitts or gauntlets, cover the hand and wrist while leaving the fingers free — making them ideal for everyday wear, typing, or layering under outerwear. The thumb opening is created by a simple bind-off and cast-on method rather than a gusset, keeping the construction clean and approachable.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round on double pointed needles, with stitches divided across three needles
• Joining in the round carefully to avoid twisting stitches at the cast-on edge
• Thumb opening construction using a mid-project bind-off of 6 stitches followed by a cast-on of 6 stitches on the following round, creating a neat horizontal thumb hole without the need for a separate thumb gusset
• Loose cast-on and bind-off to maintain elasticity at the edges, which is especially important when working ribbed cuffs and openings
• Weaving in ends to finish each glove neatly

Stitches Used

• K2, P2 Ribbing — the foundational stitch pattern worked throughout the entire glove, creating a stretchy, form-fitting fabric that hugs the hand and wrist
• Twisted Ribbing — a decorative variation on standard ribbing, worked on every fourth round. The twist is created by a Twist 2 technique: knit two stitches together, then knit the first stitch again. This produces a subtle, rope-like texture that adds visual interest and structure to the fabric without significantly increasing complexity
• Twisted Ribbing Pattern Repeat — the four-round sequence consists of three rounds of standard K2, P2 ribbing followed by one round of Twist 2, P2, repeated from cast-on to bind-off for a consistent, unified texture across the full length of each glove

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches per inch measured over stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge ensures the gloves reach the intended dimensions of approximately 8 inches in circumference, providing a comfortable, snug fit for an average adult hand.

Materials

• Yarn: Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted — 2 balls of 50g each. Baby alpaca is prized for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightweight feel, making it a luxurious yet practical choice for accessories worn close to the skin such as gloves.
• Needles: US Size 7 double pointed needles, used to work the gloves seamlessly in the round

Pattern Notes and Construction Overview

The gloves begin with a loose cast-on of 40 stitches, divided evenly across three double pointed needles. The twisted ribbing pattern is then worked continuously in the round for approximately 6 inches, ending after a Twist 2 round. At this point, the thumb opening is formed by binding off 6 stitches and casting them back on in the following round. The glove then continues in the established twisted ribbing pattern until the total length reaches 9 inches or the knitter's desired length, at which point all stitches are bound off loosely in ribbing. A second glove is worked identically to create a matched pair. All yarn ends are woven in to complete the project.

This pattern is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are familiar with double