Aslaug Fingerless Gloves

Aslaug Fingerless Gloves by Corrine Walcher

What Is Being Made

The Aslaug Fingerless Gloves are a pair of hand-warming accessories designed to leave fingers exposed for dexterity while providing wrist and palm coverage. These gloves feature a distinctive braided cable pattern inspired by old Norse runes, making them both functional and decorative. The design is part of a coordinating collection that includes the Sigurd hat and Brynhild cowl, allowing crafters to create a complete Norse-inspired accessory set. The gloves are named after a character from the Saga of the Volsungs, a classic Norse saga, adding historical and cultural significance to the finished piece.

Finished Dimensions

The completed gloves measure 5 inches unstretched around the cuff and hand, with the ability to stretch up to 8 inches for comfortable wear. This range accommodates various hand sizes while maintaining the integrity of the cable and ribbed stitch patterns.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Cable Knitting: The signature braided cable pattern forms the centerpiece of the design, creating a textured, rope-like motif that evokes Norse rune symbolism.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used as a framing element around the cable, reverse stockinette creates visual contrast and highlights the braided pattern.
• Ribbed Knitting: The palm sections feature ribbed stitches, which provide stretch and comfort for a secure, flexible fit.
• In-the-Round Construction: The gloves are knit circularly using either a set of five double-pointed needles or an alternative method of the crafter's preference, ensuring seamless construction.
• Decreases: The pattern utilizes knit two together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases to shape the gloves and create fitted sections.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The sample gloves were knit using Dragonfly Fibers Valkyrie, a 100% superwash merino yarn that provides durability and easy care. The colorway used in the sample is Nymeria. Each skein contains 200 yards per 4 ounces, and the project requires approximately 140 yards of yarn, making it an efficient use of materials.

Yarn Weight: The pattern is designed for aran and worsted weight yarns, providing substantial fabric with good stitch definition for the cable and texture work.

Needles: Crafters should use a set of 5 US size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles or adjust the needle size to achieve the specified gauge. Alternative circular needle methods are acceptable for those who prefer them.

Gauge: The pattern requires a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch worked in the round and blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Aslaug Fingerless Gloves require solid foundational knitting skills, including comfort with circular knitting, cable techniques, and basic shaping decreases. Knitters should be familiar with reading pattern abbreviations and managing stitches across multiple needles.