Simple Gloves on Two Needles

Simple Gloves by Monica Russel

What Is Being Made

Simple Gloves is a knitting pattern designed by Monica Russel for creating a pair of basic gloves using two needles. This downloadable PDF pattern is suitable for knitters looking to complete a straightforward glove project with room for creative customization once basic skills are mastered. The pattern provides finished measurements in Small and Medium sizes, making it accessible for various hand sizes.

Difficulty Level and Project Scope

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, Simple Gloves offers an approachable introduction to glove construction for knitters with foundational skills. The pattern encourages progression from a simple single-colour version to more advanced variations, making it an ideal stepping stone for developing knitting techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit and purl rows to form the smooth, classic knit fabric
• Make 1 stitch (M1) – an increase technique used to shape the gloves, performed by lifting the bar between stitches with the left needle and knitting into the front
• Two-colour rib – an optional decorative technique for knitters ready to advance beyond the basic single-colour version
• Fair isle – an optional colourwork pattern technique for experienced makers, allowing contrast colour integration into the design
• Stripes – another optional variation technique mentioned for creative customization

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches including:

• K – knit stitch
• P – purl stitch
• M1 – make 1 stitch for increases
• tog – together, used in decrease instructions
• st st – stocking stitch, the foundational fabric
• sts – stitches

Materials and Equipment

Yarn: The pattern calls for DK-weight yarn, with 2 balls of main colour required for completion. For knitters choosing to incorporate the optional fair isle pattern, a small amount of contrast colour A is needed.

Needles: Two sets of needles are required. A pair of 3.25mm (US 3, UK 10) needles is used for ribbed sections, while a pair of 3.75mm (US 5, UK 9) needles is used for the main fabric. This needle size progression creates proper tension and structure in the finished gloves.

Additional Equipment: A tapestry needle is essential for weaving in yarn ends and finishing the gloves.

Tension and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 30 rows over stocking stitch, measured over 10 centimetres (4 inches) using the 3.75mm (US 5, UK 9) needles. Achieving the correct tension is crucial for ensuring the finished gloves fit properly. The pattern provides finished measurements for both Small and Medium sizes, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size for their needs.

Pattern Progression and Customization

Monica Russel's design encourages knitters to begin with a straightforward single-colour approach, omitting the optional two-colour rib and fair isle elements. Once the basic glove construction is mastered, knitters are invited to experiment with stripes, coloured ribs, and fair isle patterns, providing multiple skill-building opportunities within a single pattern framework.