Product Description
Riffle is the part of a stream where the flow is shallower and more turbulent. This riffle moves rapidly towards the centre in swirls, and narrows on the back of the hand.
The Riffle gloves can be worked as fingerless mittens or full fingered gloves. They are worked from the cuff up, and feature a fitted thumb gusset and twisted Bavarian cables.
The first 1.5 inch of the cuff is worked flat, and is then joined in the round to create a 1.5” slit on the pinkie side of the cuff. The cable pattern is worked on both sides of the cuff until the start of the thumb gusset, at which point the palm side of the hand changes to straight stockinette. At the end of the gusset, the thumb stitches are put on a holder and then the rest of the hand is worked in the round, and the fingers are worked individually. The thumb is worked last.
The cable pattern on the back of the hand continues until past the start of the thumb, and then the swirls become half the size for two swirls, and end
Riffle Gloves by Anna Dalvi
What is Being Made
Riffle Gloves are a versatile hand accessory designed by Anna Dalvi that can be worked as either fingerless mittens or full fingered gloves. Inspired by the natural phenomenon of water movement in streams, these gloves feature a fitted silhouette that narrows toward the back of the hand, creating a dynamic and elegant fit for women's medium hand size (6.5" to 7.5" circumference when blocked).
Design Features and Construction
The gloves showcase several sophisticated design elements that combine both aesthetic appeal and functional fit. The cuff features cables worked all around, providing structure and visual interest at the wrist opening. A fitted thumb gusset ensures comfort and proper positioning of the thumb, while twisted Bavarian cables create the signature flowing pattern that moves rapidly toward the center of the hand. The cables narrow on the back of the hand, mimicking the turbulent movement of water in a riffle—the shallower, more turbulent section of a stream.
Knitting Techniques Used
- Cabled cast-on worked with two strands of yarn to create a sturdy, elastic foundation
- Flat knitting construction rather than working in the round for the cuff section
- Cable knitting featuring twisted Bavarian cables throughout the cuff and hand
- Thumb gusset shaping to create a fitted, ergonomic thumb opening
- Blocking to achieve finished dimensions and even cable definition
Stitches and Stitch Patterns
The pattern employs stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with cable stitches integrated throughout for textural contrast and visual movement. The twisted Bavarian cables create the distinctive flowing pattern characteristic of the design. The cuff is worked in a repeating cable pattern (rows 5-12 repeat after the initial setup rows 1-12), allowing the cable texture to develop fully around the entire circumference.
Materials and Yarn Specifications
Riffle Gloves are designed to be worked with 4-ply weight yarn, specifically using one skein of Emeline Sock from Springtree Road. This yarn blend combines 50% merino wool with 50% silk, offering 434 yards (397 meters) per 100 grams. The merino-silk blend provides warmth, breathability, and a subtle sheen that enhances the cable definition. The pattern recommends Kohl colorway or similar yarns of comparable weight and yardage.
Needles and Tools
- 2.5 mm (US 1½) needles for working the main fabric
- Cable needle for manipulating stitches when working twisted Bavarian cables
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing
Gauge and Sizing
The pattern is worked at a gauge of 7 stitches by 11 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. This gauge is achieved with 2.5 mm needles and 4-ply yarn. The finished (blocked) size accommodates women's medium hands with a circumference of 6.5" to 7.5", making these gloves suitable for average adult women's sizing.
Pattern Construction Method
The gloves begin with a cabled cast-on using two strands of yarn, with one strand cut and fastened after the cast-on is complete. The cuff is worked flat (not in the round) rather than using circular needles, which allows for specific shaping and cable placement. After establishing the cuff pattern with rows 1-12, the pattern repeats rows 5-12 to build the cable texture before transitioning to the hand and finger sections.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Fingering |
| Designer: | Anna Dalvi |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
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