Classic Seed Stitch Fingerless Gloves

A snug, seamless pair of textured fingerless gloves in DK-weight wool. A deep 2×2 ribbed cuff anchors the wrist, an easy stockinette thumb gusset opens the thumb, and the hand is worked in simple seed stitch to the knuckles. A short 1×1 rib at the top keeps the edge neat without covering the fingers, so typing and phone use stay easy.

Both gloves are worked the same and are interchangeable.

Skill Level

Beginner. You should be comfortable casting on, knitting, purling, and joining to work in the round. Increases, a backward-loop cast-on, and picking up stitches are explained below.

Sizes

S/M (L/XL)

Instructions are written for S/M, with L/XL in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes.

If you are between sizes, choose S/M for a closer fit or L/XL for a more relaxed fit.

Finished Measurements

Measure hand circumference around the fullest part of the palm, excluding the thumb. The finished fabric has light negative ease; ribbing and seed stitch stretch to fit.

Shown as a simple map (one glove):

|<-------- 7.25 (8.75)" -------->|
+--------------------------------+  <- loose 1x1 bind-off
|         1x1 rib, 0.75"         |     at the knuckles
+--------------------------------+
|                                |
|   seed stitch hand             |
|                          thumb |  <- gusset opens here
|                                |
+--------------------------------+
|      2x2 rib cuff, 2.5"        |
+--------------------------------+  <- stretchy cast-on
Total length: 6.5 (7)"

Yarn

DK weight wool or wool blend (CYC #3), approximately 150 (190) yards / 137 (174) meters.

One skein of a typical 100 g DK wool (about 230 yards / 210 meters or more) is enough for either size, with yarn left over. A wool or wool blend is recommended so the ribbing recovers and holds its shape.

Needles

• US 4 / 3.5 mm double-pointed needles, or a 32" / 80 cm circular for magic loop (cuff and thumb edging)
• US 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles, or a 32" / 80 cm circular for magic loop (hand and top rib)

Or size needed to obtain gauge. A short circular (9" / 23 cm) may be used for the cuff and hand if you prefer, but the thumb is easiest on double-pointed needles or magic loop.

Notions

• Stitch marker (plus a second marker optional, for the gusset)
• Stitch holder or waste yarn
• Tapestry needle

Gauge

22 stitches and 32 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in seed stitch, worked in the round on larger needles, blocked.

Take time to match gauge. The stitch gauge determines circumference; length in the pattern is given in inches, so a small difference in round gauge can be adjusted by measuring as you go.

Seed-stitch reminder: stitches alternate knit and purl both across the round and from one round to the next. A knit is never stacked on a knit.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• k: knit
• p: purl
• pm: place marker
• sm: slip marker
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• M1L: make 1 left (see below)
• M1R: make 1 right (see below)
• BOR: beginning of round

Special Stitches & Techniques

2×2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round. Work every round the same.

1×1 Rib (multiple of 2 sts): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round. Work every round the same.

Seed stitch in the round: Knit the stitches that were purled on the previous round, and purl the stitches that were knitted. Visual cue, with the right side facing you: if you see a purl bump, knit it; if you see a smooth knit V, purl it.

M1R (make 1 right): Lift the strand between the needles onto the left needle from back to front. Knit that strand through the front loop. The new stitch leans to the right.

M1L (make 1 left): Lift the strand between the needles onto the left needle from front to back. Knit that strand through the back loop. The new stitch leans to the left.

Backward-loop cast-on: With the working yarn, make a clockwise loop (the yarn tail crosses in front of the loop), place the loop on the right needle, and gently snug it. This casts on 1 stitch. Do not pull it tight.

Bind off in pattern, loosely: Work the next stitch as it appears (knit the knits, purl the purls), then pass the previous stitch over it. Repeat across. The bind-off must stretch over the knuckles. If your bind-off feels firm, use a needle one size larger for the bind-off only.

Notes

• The BOR marker sits at the thumb side of the hand. Slip it when you come to it unless told otherwise.
• Gusset stitches (before the gusset marker) are knitted every round. All other stitches are seed stitch.
• Cast on and bind off loosely. The cuff must stretch over the widest part of the hand when you put the glove on, then relax to fit the wrist.
• Length is measured from the cast-on edge, along the back of the hand, with the fabric gently smoothed, not stretched.

Stitch-count check

Counts check: 6 (7) increase rounds × 2 sts = 12 (14) sts added; 40 (48) + 12 (14) = 52 (62) ✓. After separation, 52 (62) − 13 (15) + 1 = 40 (48) ✓. Thumb: 13 (15) + 3 = 16 (18) ✓.

Instructions

Make one glove, then repeat the entire pattern for the second glove.

Cuff

With smaller needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm) and a stretchy method (long-tail cast-on recommended), CO 40 (48) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Pm for BOR.

Work in 2×2 rib (*k2, p2; repeat from * to end) until the cuff measures 2.5" (6.5 cm) from the cast-on edge.

The cuff is meant to be snug. The smaller needle, not a change in stitch count, creates the snugness. Stitch count remains 40 (48).

Hand

Change to larger needles (US 6 / 4 mm).

Work 4 rounds in seed stitch:

• Rounds 1 and 3: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
• Rounds 2 and 4: *P1, k1; repeat from * to end.

These 4 rounds are about 0.5" (1.3 cm). Stitch count remains 40 (48).

Thumb Gusset

The first stitch of the round is the center of the gusset. Increases are worked on either side of the gusset stitches. The first M1R uses the strand between the last stitch of the round and the first stitch.

Increase Round: M1R, k1, M1L, pm (gusset marker), p1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
3 gusset sts before the marker; 42 (50) sts total (2 sts increased ✓).

Even Round: Knit to the gusset marker, sm, work seed stitch to end (knit the purls and purl the knits).

Continue as follows until there are 13 (15) stitches before the gusset marker:

• Increase Round: M1R, knit to gusset marker, M1L, sm, work seed stitch to end (2 sts increased).
• Even Round: Knit to gusset marker, sm, work seed stitch to end.

End after an Even Round.

You will work 6 (7) increase rounds in all, including the first one.

Gusset stitches after each increase round:
S/M: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13.
L/XL: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15.

Check: 1 original gusset st + 6 (7) × 2 = 13 (15) gusset sts ✓. Total stitches on the needle: 52 (62) ✓.

The gusset section is about 1.5 (1.75)" / 4 (4.5) cm long. Width (stitch count) matters more than exact length.

Separation Round: Slip the 13 (15) gusset stitches (all stitches before the gusset marker) to a stitch holder or a length of waste yarn. Remove the gusset marker. Cast on 1 stitch using the backward-loop method, knit that new stitch, then work in seed stitch as established to the end of the round.

Stitch count is restored to 40 (48) (52 (62) − 13 (15) + 1 = 40 (48) ✓).

Upper Hand

On the next round, reset seed stitch across all stitches so the pattern is easy to see again: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Continue in seed stitch (knit the purls, purl the knits) until the piece measures 5.75 (6.25)" / 14.5 (16) cm from the cast-on edge.

This is about 1.25 (1.5)" / 3 (4) cm of seed stitch after the thumb separation. Stop sooner only if you have already reached the base of your fingers; add rounds if your hand is longer and the edge has not yet reached the knuckles.

Top Edge

Stay on the larger needles so the opening can stretch over the hand.

Work in 1×1 rib (*k1, p1; repeat from * to end) for 0.75" (2 cm), about 6 rounds.

Total length is now 6.5 (7)" / 16.5 (18) cm (5.75 (6.25) + 0.75 = 6.5 (7) ✓).

Bind off in pattern loosely. The edge should sit at the knuckles and must stretch enough for your hand to pass through. Cut yarn and pull the tail through the last stitch.

Thumb

Return the 13 (15) held gusset stitches to the smaller needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm), with the right side (the side that faced you while you knitted the gusset) facing you.

Join yarn at the right-hand end of the held stitches. Knit the 13 (15) gusset stitches. Then pick up and knit 3 stitches along the gap: 1 stitch in the corner where the gusset meets the hand, 1 stitch in the backward-loop cast-on, and 1 stitch in the other corner. Pm and join to work in the round.

16 (18) thumb stitches (13 (15) + 3 = 16 (18) ✓).

Work in 1×1 rib (*k1, p1; repeat from * to end) for 0.5" (1.3 cm), about 4 rounds.

Bind off in pattern loosely, so the thumb joint can pass through. Cut yarn, leaving a tail about 8" (20 cm) long for closing gaps.

Second Glove

Work the second glove exactly the same as the first.

Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Use the thumb-joining tail to sew closed any small hole at either corner of the thumb gap before weaving it in. Weave in the cuff cast-on tail so it does not create a tight spot.

Block gently: wet or steam the gloves, pat them to the finished measurements, and lay flat to dry. Do not stretch the ribbing out while it dries; let it relax to its snug width.

Try them on. The cuff should hug the wrist, the seed-stitch hand should meet around the palm without pulling, the thumb opening should sit at the base of the thumb, and the top rib should end at the knuckles so the fingers bend freely.

Fit Adjustments

• Longer or shorter cuff: Work the 2×2 rib to the length you prefer (2–3" / 5–7.5 cm is a useful range) before changing to larger needles. This does not change any stitch count.
• Longer hand: Before the top rib, keep working seed stitch until the needle reaches the base of your fingers. Then work the 0.75" (2 cm) rib.
• Longer gusset (if the thumb opening sits too close to the cuff): On the next glove, work two Even Rounds between Increase Rounds instead of one. Still stop at 13 (15) gusset stitches.
• Snugger or roomier circumference: Match the stitch gauge. Changing needle size to hit 22 stitches = 4" (10 cm) is the right fix; do not add or remove stitches, or the rib repeats will not line up.

Care

Hand wash in cool water. Lay flat to dry, shaping to the measurements above. Wool will full slightly and even out with the first wash.