Well-fitting, fully-fingered knitted gloves worked in the round. This pattern uses fingering-weight yarn for a close fit; instructions include thumb gusset shaping, separate fingers, and clear stitch counts for four adult sizes. If you want to make adjustments for thicker yarn, see the "Fit & Modifications" notes near the end.
20 sts = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette (in the round) using needles that give a firm fabric—this is 5 sts per inch (adjust needle size to hit gauge). If your gauge is different, change needle size and recalc cast-on following the finished circumference (see Fit & Modifications).
CO 56 (64, 72, 80) sts. Place marker and join carefully to avoid twisting. Work 2x2 rib (K2, P2) for 1.5 (1.75, 2, 2.25)" (~15–22 rounds depending on row gauge). You may make the cuff longer/shorter as desired.
After rib, switch to stockinette in the round (K every round). Knit even for 8 (10, 12, 14) rounds — this gets you to the point where the thumb gusset begins near the side of the hand. Place a removable marker (marker A) at the start-of-round; this will remain as your reference.
Work gusset increases on one side of the hand only. On the round where you start the gusset, move your marker A so the first stitch after A is the first stitch of the gusset area. The idea: increase two stitches (one each side of a central gusset stitch) every other round until you have 11 (13, 15, 17) gusset stitches total.
Gusset set-up: Rnd 1: Knit to 3 sts before marker A, K1, place gusset marker B (optional), K1 (center gusset st), place marker C (optional), K1, then knit to end-of-round. From now on, every right-side round (every other round): work K to gusset marker, K1, M1L, knit to center gusset stitch, K that stitch, M1R, K1, then knit rest of round. On the alternate rounds, knit every stitch—this sequences increases every other round.
Repeat this increase sequence until the gusset measures approximately 1/2" (1.3 cm) less than the full width of your thumb when flattened, or until you have increased to 11 (13, 15, 17) sts (count the total stitches that belong to the gusset including the center sts). The number of increase rounds required is 5 (6, 7, 8). After the final increase round, knit one round even.
Next round: place the gusset stitches on waste yarn (slip them purlwise to scrap thread) leaving the rest of the hand sts on the needles. Cast on 3 sts over the gap (use cable cast-on or backwards loop; cable CO is more secure). Continue knitting in the round over the remaining hand stitches (including the 3 cast-on bridge sts). You have now closed the hand round for the fingers and reserved the thumb on waste yarn.
Knit even in the round until the piece measures from cuff edge to base of fingers approximately 2.5 (3.0, 3.5, 4.0)" depending on hand size—measure across the palm to where the first finger joint will sit. When ready to separate fingers, proceed to finger separation below.
At this point the remaining stitches should be approximately: S 48, M 54, L 60, XL 66 (these are after removing gusset and adding 3 cast-on sts). Distribute these stitches to form four fingers as follows (leave the stitches assigned for each finger on holders or dpns):
To separate: work to the first finger stitch count, place those sts on holder or spare dpn. Then cast on 2 sts over the gap between fingers to create a small bridge (you can also pick up small sts around the gap but cast-on is easiest). Continue to next finger; repeat until all fingers have been separated and held. Work the four fingers one at a time, rejoining to knit them in the round on dpns.
Transfer the stitches for one finger to 3 dpns and join to work in the round. Knit in the round until finger length from base to tip is about 1/2" (1.3 cm) less than desired final length (finger tip to first knuckle—try on as you go if possible). Then shape the fingertip: Round 1: *Knit to last 3 sts of needle, K2tog, K1* repeat around (reduce approx 1/3 of sts depending on distribution). Round 2: Knit even. Round 3: *Knit to last 2 sts of needle, K2tog* repeat around—continue decreasing every other round until about 6 sts remain on the finger (for smallest fingers you may stop at 4 sts). Break yarn leaving a 6" tail, thread through remaining sts, pull snug, weave in securely. Repeat for each finger, working largest fingers first if you like.
Return to the thumb sts on waste yarn. Transfer them to dpns, pick up 1–3 sts from the base gap where you cast on the 3 bridge sts earlier (pick up as needed so the thumb base is not holey; typically pick up 2 sts on either side and redistribute). You should have roughly 11 (13, 15, 17) + 2–4 picked up = about 13 (15, 17, 19) sts—adjust so the thumb is comfortable but snug. Join and knit in the round until thumb measures 1/2" less than desired length. Decrease as for fingers: K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 on first decrease round; knit next round even; then K to last 2, K2tog every other round until 6 sts remain; break yarn and gather for tip. Weave in tightly.
Check yarn label. For wool, hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Avoid agitation for wool unless yarn is superwash.
This pattern by PurlJam. For help or pattern-related questions email team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk for more patterns. Share finished items and questions on socials: #purljam.