purlJam

# Cat's Whiskers Gloves

A delightful pair of full-finger gloves featuring a charming cat head motif on the back of the hand. Worked seamlessly in the round from the cuff up, these gloves offer a snug fit and a purr-fectly stylish touch.

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate

**Sizes:** Children (C), Women (W), Men (M)
*   **Finished Hand Circumference:**
    *   C: 16 cm (6.5 in)
    *   W: 19 cm (7.5 in)
    *   M: 22 cm (8.5 in)
*   **Finished Length (from cuff to tip of middle finger, Standard Length):**
    *   C: 18 cm (7 in)
    *   W: 22 cm (8.5 in)
    *   M: 25 cm (9.75 in)

**Yarn:**
DK weight yarn (approx. 220 m / 100 g)
*   **Main Colour (MC):** Approx. 50 (65, 80) g
*   **Contrast Colour (CC):** Approx. 5 (5, 5) g (for cat motif)

**Needles:**
*   3.75 mm (US 5) DPNs or 80 cm (32 in) circular needle for Magic Loop (for cuff)
*   4.0 mm (US 6) DPNs or 80 cm (32 in) circular needle for Magic Loop (for hand and fingers)

**Tension (Gauge):**
22 sts and 30 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) in Stockinette Stitch (st st) on 4.0 mm needles, after blocking.
*It is crucial to check your tension to ensure the finished gloves fit correctly.*

**Notions:**
*   Stitch markers (including one unique marker for beginning of round)
*   Waste yarn or stitch holders
*   Darning needle for weaving in ends

**Abbreviations (UK English):**
*   **BO:** Bind off
*   **BOR:** Beginning of round
*   **C:** Child
*   **CC:** Contrast Colour
*   **cm:** centimetre(s)
*   **DPNs:** Double-pointed needles
*   **in:** inch(es)
*   **K:** Knit
*   **K2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **M:** Men
*   **M1L:** Make 1 Left - pick up bar between stitches from front to back, knit into back loop (left-leaning increase)
*   **M1R:** Make 1 Right - pick up bar between stitches from back to front, knit into front loop (right-leaning increase)
*   **MC:** Main Colour
*   **P:** Purl
*   **pm:** Place marker
*   **rem:** Remaining
*   **Rep:** Repeat
*   **Rnd(s):** Round(s)
*   **ssk:** Slip, slip, knit - slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches from left to right and knit them together (left-leaning decrease)
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **st st:** Stockinette Stitch
*   **W:** Women
*   **wyib:** With yarn in back
*   **wyif:** With yarn in front

**Special Techniques:**
*   **Stranded Colourwork:** Carry the unused colour loosely across the back of the work to prevent puckering. Catch floats every 3-5 stitches.
*   **Kitchener Stitch:** Used to graft the open stitches at the fingertips for a seamless finish. (Instructions not included, refer to a suitable guide).

**Notes:**
*   The pattern is written for **full-finger gloves**, as per the detailed template provided.
*   When working with two colours, ensure your tension remains consistent, especially with the floating yarn.
*   For Left-Handed Gloves: Work thumb gusset increases at the end of the round instead of the beginning, and reverse any charting instructions if preferred. The main pattern is written for the Right-Handed Glove (thumb on the left side of palm when flat). To make a Left-Handed Glove, simply work the thumb gusset increases at the end of the round instead of the beginning, and reverse any charting instructions if preferred. The cat chart will face the same direction regardless of hand.
*   Finger lengths are adjustable. If you prefer a shorter or longer fit, adjust the number of plain rounds before starting fingertip decreases.

---

## Instructions

### Right Hand Glove

Using 3.75 mm needles and MC, cast on 36 (42, 48) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place BOR marker.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: (16 cm / 10 cm) * 22 sts/10cm = 35.2 sts -> Round to 36 sts (divisible by 2 for rib)
*   W: (19 cm / 10 cm) * 22 sts/10cm = 41.8 sts -> Round to 42 sts (divisible by 2 for rib)
*   M: (22 cm / 10 cm) * 22 sts/10cm = 48.4 sts -> Round to 48 sts (divisible by 2 for rib)
All cast-on counts are correct for targeted hand circumference and divisible by 2 for the rib.

### Cuff
Work in 2x2 Rib (K2, P2) for 6.5 cm (2.5 in).
Change to 4.0 mm needles.
Work 1 round in K st, increasing 0 (0, 0) sts evenly across the round.
**Calculations Check:**
*   No increases needed here, as the initial cast-on aligns with the hand circumference required for St st. This also simplifies the pattern.
Stitch Count after Cuff: 36 (42, 48) sts.

### Hand and Thumb Gusset
Begin working in st st (K every round). The thumb gusset will be worked on the palm side, and the cat motif on the back of the hand.

**Set-up Round:** K to BOR marker.
*   **C:** K12, pm (Back of Hand Marker), K24 (Palm Stitches).
*   **W:** K14, pm (Back of Hand Marker), K28 (Palm Stitches).
*   **M:** K16, pm (Back of Hand Marker), K32 (Palm Stitches).

**Next Round:** K all stitches, sliding markers.

**Thumb Gusset Rounds (Right Hand):**
Increases for the thumb gusset will be made on the palm side. The cat motif will be worked on the back of the hand (the stitches before the Back of Hand Marker).
Work in st st, incorporating the **Cat Chart** on the back of the hand for 11 rounds, centred as follows:

*   **For Child (C) size:** K2, work **Cat Chart** over next 9 sts, K1 (back of hand section). K to end of round.
*   **For Women (W) size:** K2, work **Cat Chart** over next 9 sts, K3 (back of hand section). K to end of round.
*   **For Men (M) size:** K3, work **Cat Chart** over next 9 sts, K4 (back of hand section). K to end of round.

**Thumb Gusset Increase Rounds:**
**Round 1 (Increase Round):** Work in st st to 1 st before BOR marker, M1R, K1 (BOR st), M1L, K to Back of Hand Marker (Work Cat Chart for back of hand section), K to end of round. (2 sts increased)
**Round 2 (Plain Round):** Work in st st to BOR marker, K to Back of Hand Marker (Work Cat Chart for back of hand section), K to end of round. (0 sts increased)

Rep Rounds 1 and 2 a total of 6 (7, 8) times.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 6 repeats * 2 sts/rep = 12 gusset sts. Total sts = 36 + 12 = 48 sts.
*   W: 7 repeats * 2 sts/rep = 14 gusset sts. Total sts = 42 + 14 = 56 sts.
*   M: 8 repeats * 2 sts/rep = 16 gusset sts. Total sts = 48 + 16 = 64 sts.
The gusset increases add 12 (14, 16) sts.

**After all gusset increases are complete:**
You will have 48 (56, 64) sts total.
The gusset section (between the BOR marker and the 1st st after the last M1L) will have 13 (15, 17) sts. (The initial BOR st + 12/14/16 new sts = 13/15/17 sts).

Work in st st for a further 0 (0, 0) rounds, continuing the Cat Chart if applicable, until the Cat Chart is completed. (The chart is 11 rows high, so it should be completed within the gusset shaping or just after).
**Calculations Check:** The cat chart is 11 rows. Gusset is 6 (7, 8) repeats of 2 rows = 12 (14, 16) rows. So the chart will be finished during the gusset.

**Place Thumb Stitches on Hold:**
Next Round: K to BOR marker. K the next 13 (15, 17) sts (these are the thumb gusset sts). Place these 13 (15, 17) sts onto a piece of waste yarn or a stitch holder.
Cast on 1 (1, 1) st using the cable cast-on method for the base of the thumb. This closes the gap.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 48 total sts - 13 thumb sts + 1 CO st = 36 sts rem for fingers.
*   W: 56 total sts - 15 thumb sts + 1 CO st = 42 sts rem for fingers.
*   M: 64 total sts - 17 thumb sts + 1 CO st = 48 sts rem for fingers.
You now have 36 (42, 48) sts on your needles for the hand.

Continue working in st st for 2 (4, 6) rounds, or until the hand reaches the base of your little finger.
**Note:** At this point, the Cat Chart on the back of the hand should be completed. Continue knitting in MC.

---

### Divide for Fingers
The following instructions will work the fingers sequentially, starting with the little finger.
All remaining stitches for the hand (36, 42, 48 sts) are on your needles.

**A. Little Finger:**
K 8 (9, 10) sts for the little finger.
Place the remaining 28 (33, 38) sts on waste yarn or a spare needle.
Cast on 2 (3, 3) sts using the cable cast-on method for the finger fork.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 8 sts (finger) + 2 sts (fork) = 10 sts for Little Finger.
*   W: 9 sts (finger) + 3 sts (fork) = 12 sts for Little Finger.
*   M: 10 sts (finger) + 3 sts (fork) = 13 sts for Little Finger.
You have 10 (12, 13) sts on your needles for the Little Finger.
Join to work in the round and work in st st for 4 (5, 6) cm (1.5, 2, 2.25 in) for Short, 5 (6, 7) cm (2, 2.25, 2.75 in) for Standard, or 6 (7, 8) cm (2.25, 2.75, 3 in) for Long finger length.

**Little Finger Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk. (2 sts decreased)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until 4 (4, 4) sts remain.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem 4 sts and pull tight to gather. Securely weave in end.

**B. Ring Finger:**
Return to the held stitches. Pick up and K 2 (3, 3) sts from the cast-on edge of the Little Finger fork.
K the next 9 (11, 12) sts from the held stitches for the Ring Finger.
Cast on 2 (3, 3) sts using the cable cast-on method for the finger fork.
Place the remaining 17 (19, 23) sts on waste yarn or a spare needle.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 2 (picked up) + 9 (from hand) + 2 (fork) = 13 sts for Ring Finger.
*   W: 3 (picked up) + 11 (from hand) + 3 (fork) = 17 sts for Ring Finger.
*   M: 3 (picked up) + 12 (from hand) + 3 (fork) = 18 sts for Ring Finger.
You have 13 (17, 18) sts on your needles for the Ring Finger.
Join to work in the round and work in st st for 5 (6, 7) cm (2, 2.25, 2.75 in) for Short, 6 (7, 8) cm (2.25, 2.75, 3 in) for Standard, or 7 (8, 9) cm (2.75, 3, 3.5 in) for Long finger length.

**Ring Finger Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** (K2tog, K2 (3, 4)) rep to last 1 (2, 0) st(s), K1 (2, 0). (3 (4, 3) sts decreased) - This needs to be consistent. Let's simplify decreases.
**Round 1:** K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk. (2 sts decreased)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until 5 (7, 6) sts remain. (Adjusted to allow for larger numbers)
Let's try: Rep Round 1 until 5 (7, 6) sts remain. Then Kitchener.
Better:
**Ring Finger Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk. (2 sts decreased)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until 7 (9, 10) sts remain. (After 3 (4, 4) decrease rounds for C (W, M))
**Next Round:** (K1, K2tog) rep to last 1 (0, 1) st, K1 (0, 1). (Approximately 2/3 of sts remain after this round).
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem sts (approx 5 (6, 7) sts) and pull tight to gather. Securely weave in end.
*This gathering method is simpler than Kitchener for smaller counts.*

**C. Middle Finger:**
Return to the held stitches. Pick up and K 2 (3, 3) sts from the cast-on edge of the Ring Finger fork.
K the next 10 (12, 14) sts from the held stitches for the Middle Finger.
Cast on 2 (3, 3) sts using the cable cast-on method for the finger fork.
Place the remaining 5 (4, 6) sts on waste yarn or a spare needle.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 2 (picked up) + 10 (from hand) + 2 (fork) = 14 sts for Middle Finger.
*   W: 3 (picked up) + 12 (from hand) + 3 (fork) = 18 sts for Middle Finger.
*   M: 3 (picked up) + 14 (from hand) + 3 (fork) = 20 sts for Middle Finger.
You have 14 (18, 20) sts on your needles for the Middle Finger.
Join to work in the round and work in st st for 6 (7, 8) cm (2.25, 2.75, 3 in) for Short, 7 (8, 9) cm (2.75, 3, 3.5 in) for Standard, or 8 (9, 10) cm (3, 3.5, 4 in) for Long finger length.

**Middle Finger Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** (K2tog, K5 (7, 8)) rep twice. (2 sts decreased)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until 8 (10, 12) sts remain.
**Next Round:** (K2tog) rep to end. (approx 4 (5, 6) sts remain)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem sts and pull tight to gather. Securely weave in end.

**D. Index Finger:**
Return to the held stitches. Pick up and K 2 (3, 3) sts from the cast-on edge of the Middle Finger fork.
K the remaining 5 (4, 6) sts from the held stitches for the Index Finger.
Pick up and K 1 (1, 1) st from the remaining base of the hand (where no fork was cast on).
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 2 (picked up) + 5 (from hand) + 1 (from base) = 8 sts for Index Finger.
*   W: 3 (picked up) + 4 (from hand) + 1 (from base) = 8 sts for Index Finger.
*   M: 3 (picked up) + 6 (from hand) + 1 (from base) = 10 sts for Index Finger.
You have 8 (8, 10) sts on your needles for the Index Finger.
Join to work in the round and work in st st for 5 (6, 7) cm (2, 2.25, 2.75 in) for Short, 6 (7, 8) cm (2.25, 2.75, 3 in) for Standard, or 7 (8, 9) cm (2.75, 3, 3.5 in) for Long finger length.

**Index Finger Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk. (2 sts decreased)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until 4 (4, 6) sts remain.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem sts and pull tight to gather. Securely weave in end.

---

### Thumb
Return to the 13 (15, 17) thumb stitches on waste yarn. Carefully slip them onto 4.0 mm DPNs.
Pick up and K 3 (3, 3) sts from the 1 cast-on st at the base of the thumb and from the surrounding fabric to close any gaps.
**Calculations Check:**
*   C: 13 (held) + 3 (picked up) = 16 sts for Thumb.
*   W: 15 (held) + 3 (picked up) = 18 sts for Thumb.
*   M: 17 (held) + 3 (picked up) = 20 sts for Thumb.
You have 16 (18, 20) sts on your needles for the Thumb.
Join to work in the round and work in st st for 3 (4, 5) cm (1.25, 1.5, 2 in) for Short, 4 (5, 6) cm (1.5, 2, 2.25 in) for Standard, or 5 (6, 7) cm (2, 2.25, 2.75 in) for Long thumb length.

**Thumb Decreases (all sizes):**
**Round 1:** (K2tog, K2 (3, 3)) rep 4 (3, 4) times. (4 sts decreased for C, 6 sts for W, 4 sts for M - let's make it simpler and more consistent across sizes)
**Round 1:** (K2tog, K2) rep to end. (approx 12 (12, 15) sts)
**Round 2:** K all sts.
Rep Round 1 until 8 (9, 10) sts remain. (Adjusted to aim for Kitchener stitch count).
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Place rem 8 (9, 10) sts onto two needles (4 (4/5, 5) sts on each). Graft stitches together using Kitchener Stitch.

---

### Finishing
Weave in all loose ends. Gently block your gloves to shape and set the stitches, paying attention to the colourwork section to ensure it lies flat.

---

## Cat Chart

Work this chart on the back of the hand. Chart is 9 stitches wide x 11 rows high.
**B** = Background Colour (MC)
**C** = Cat Colour (CC)
Read all rounds from right to left.

| Round | Stitches (Right to Left) |
|:------|:-------------------------|
| **11** | B B C B C B B B B        |
| **10** | B B C C C B B B B        |
| **9**  | B B C C C B B B B        |
| **8**  | B C C C C C B B B        |
| **7**  | B C C C C C B B B        |
| **6**  | C C C C C C C B B        |
| **5**  | C C C C C C C B B        |
| **4**  | B C C C C C B B B        |
| **3**  | B C C C C C B B B        |
| **2**  | B B C C C B B B B        |
| **1**  | B B B B B B B B B        |

**Placement on Hand (Back of Hand Stitches):**
*   **Child (C):** K2 (MC), work Cat Chart over next 9 sts (CC/MC), K1 (MC).
*   **Women (W):** K2 (MC), work Cat Chart over next 9 sts (CC/MC), K3 (MC).
*   **Men (M):** K3 (MC), work Cat Chart over next 9 sts (CC/MC), K4 (MC).

---