Stella gloves

Stella Gloves by Katherine Vaughan

Project Overview

The Stella Gloves are an advanced-level knitted fingerless glove design created by independent designer Katherine Vaughan. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for crafting a sophisticated pair of gloves in three women's sizes (S, M, L) to fit hand circumferences of 7, 8, and 9 inches respectively. The design combines colorwork techniques with functional button details, making these gloves both stylish and practical for keeping hands warm while maintaining finger mobility.

What Is Being Made

These are fingerless gloves designed to provide warmth to the hands and wrists while leaving the fingers exposed. The pattern includes coordinating shanked buttons as decorative and functional elements, adding a refined detail to the finished garment. The gloves are constructed to fit snugly around the hand circumference while allowing comfortable movement.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Stella Gloves utilize several advanced knitting techniques appropriate for experienced crafters:

• Colorwork Knitting: The pattern incorporates two contrasting colors of yarn (Color A and Color B) worked together in a patterned stitch, creating visual interest through strategic color placement
• Circular Knitting: The gloves are constructed in the round using double-point needles, which allows for seamless construction and maintains consistent gauge throughout
• Stitch Manipulation: The pattern includes techniques such as make-one increases (M1) for shaping and purl two together (P2tog) decreases for tailoring the fit
• Marker Placement: Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and construction sections, with instructions to place markers (Pm) and remove markers (Rm) at designated points
• Button Integration: Four to seven shanked buttons in a color coordinating with Color B are incorporated into the design, requiring crochet hook finishing for secure attachment

Stitches Used

The Stella Gloves pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in an advanced colorwork pattern:

• Knit (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P): Used to create textural variation and pattern definition
• Make One (M1): An increase stitch worked by lifting the strand between stitches from front to back and knitting through the back loop, used for strategic shaping
• Purl Two Together (P2tog): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count while maintaining fabric integrity

Materials and Specifications

The pattern requires carefully selected materials to achieve the intended finished garment:

• Yarn: 150, 200, or 250 yards (140, 180, or 230 meters) of fingering weight wool yarn in each of two colors (Color A and Color B), depending on size selected
• Needles: One set of US size 1 / 2.25mm double-point needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Crochet Hook: US size B / 2.25mm crochet hook for button attachment and finishing
• Notions: 4 to 7 shanked buttons measuring 7/16 inch (11mm) in a color coordinating with Color B
• Accessories: 3 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, 3 stitch holders for holding stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for the correct fit of these gloves. The pattern specifies a gauge of 30 stitches and 64 rounds measuring 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in the pattern stitch in the round. Three size options are provided: Women's Small to fit a hand circumference of 7 inches (18 centimeters), Women's Medium to fit 8 inches (20.5 centimeters), and Women's Large to fit 9 inches (23 centimeters). Careful gauge swatching before beginning the project ensures the finished gloves will fit properly.

Difficulty Level

The Stella Gloves pattern is classified as advanced, making it suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable with colorwork, circular needle techniques, and pattern reading. The combination of two-color knitting, stitch manipulation, and button finishing requires solid foundational skills