Vintage gloves: Isabelle

Vintage Gloves: Isabelle – Knitted Lace Gloves Pattern

What Is Being Made

Vintage gloves: Isabelle is a downloadable knitting pattern for a pair of knitted gloves designed in a vintage style. The gloves feature an elegant lace pattern throughout the hand and are worked in the round using double-pointed needles. This intermediate-level project creates a refined, classic accessory suitable for those with some knitting experience.

Design and Construction

Designed by Birgitte Petersen and quality assured by Tina B. Henriksen, these gloves combine traditional knitting techniques with a decorative lace motif. The pattern begins with a ribbed cuff of adjustable length, after which the lace pattern is introduced. The gloves are constructed in the round, with the pattern worked across needles one and two while needles three and four maintain stocking stitch for the palm and back of the hand. The thumb is created using a stitch holder technique, and fingers are completed individually after the main hand section is finished.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric used for the palm and hand sections
• Lace pattern – a decorative openwork design that runs through the cuff and hand
• Ribbing – used for the cuff to provide elasticity and a fitted finish
• Circular knitting – the gloves are worked in the round using double-pointed needles to create seamless construction
• Thumb gusset – created using stitch holder techniques for proper shaping
• Finger shaping – individual fingers are knitted after the main glove body is complete

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for one to two skeins of arwetta from Filcolana, a 3-ply fingering-weight yarn, or any comparable yarn that achieves the specified gauge. Fingering-weight yarn is ideal for gloves as it creates a fine, delicate fabric suitable for detailed lace work.

Needles: Double-pointed needles in 2.50 mm (US 1.5) size are required. The pattern recommends using short double-pointed needles measuring 12 cm and 10 cm, as these are easier to manage when knitting the narrow finger sections.

Notions: Stitch holders are essential for this project – one for the thumb stitches and two additional stitch holders for managing remaining stitches while knitting the individual fingers.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 33 stitches and 44 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) when worked in stocking stitch using 2.50 mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is critical for proper fit, particularly in gloves where sizing directly affects wearability. Knitters should swatch before beginning and adjust needle size up or down if their gauge does not match the pattern specification.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques including cast-on, knit and purl stitches, and circular knitting with double-pointed needles. The lace pattern and finger construction require attention to detail and familiarity with reading stitch patterns, making this an ideal project for advancing knitters seeking to develop their skills with decorative techniques.