Mountain Snow

Mountain Snow Fingerless Gloves by Phyllis Gualtieri

What is Being Made

Mountain Snow Fingerless Gloves are a one-size crochet project designed to create a finished glove measuring 7 inches at the widest part of the hand. These fingerless gloves feature decorative beadwork integrated throughout the design, making them both functional and visually striking. The pattern includes instructions for the left-hand glove, with the structure suitable for adapting to the right hand as well.

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several foundational and decorative techniques. The gloves begin with a chain foundation and utilize single crochet as the primary stitch throughout the construction. A key technique featured in this pattern is bead placement within crochet stitches, where beads are pulled through the last two loops on the hook of the stitch before the one being beaded, then turned toward the beaded side of the glove before completing the next single crochet stitch. This method creates a secure, decorative beaded element integrated directly into the fabric. The pattern also incorporates back ridge crochet for the initial foundation row and back loop only crochet for creating texture variation in subsequent rows. Hook changes from a smaller to larger size mid-project add shaping and structure to the finished glove.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (ch): Used to create the initial foundation of 30 chains and turning chains throughout the pattern
• Single crochet (sc): The primary stitch used throughout the entire glove construction, worked in various ways including through both top loops, through the back ridge of the foundation chain, and through the back loop only for textured sections
• Beaded single crochet: A decorative variation where beads are strategically placed within single crochet stitches at specific intervals (rows 3, 9, 15, 21, and 27) to create a patterned beaded design

Materials and Tools

Mountain Snow Fingerless Gloves require 110 to 120 yards of worsted weight yarn as the primary material, with an additional 25 yards of contrasting yarn for edging. One hundred decorative beads are strung onto the working yarn before beginning the project, necessitating careful planning and bead selection. The pattern calls for two crochet hooks: a G hook (4.0 mm) for the initial rows and a H hook (5.0 mm) for the remainder of the glove, allowing for subtle shaping and gauge adjustments. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends and finishing. The recommended gauge is 16 single crochet stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches, which helps ensure the finished glove achieves the intended 7-inch width measurement.