purlJam

# Little Hands Full-Finger Gloves
### A Beginner-Friendly Knitting Pattern for 5-Year-Olds

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## Sizing
**To fit:** Child age 5 (hand circumference approximately 5½–6"/14–15 cm)

**Finished measurements:**
- Hand circumference: 6" (15 cm)
- Total length (cuff to middle fingertip): approximately 6¼" (16 cm)

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Approximately 100–120 yards (90–110 m) of worsted weight yarn (CYC #4)
  - *Suggested:* A soft, machine-washable wool or wool blend
- **Needles:** US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4 or 5), or size needed to obtain gauge
  - Optional: US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs for cuff (for a snugger ribbing)
- **Notions:**
  - Stitch markers (2)
  - Waste yarn or scrap yarn (for holding stitches)
  - Tapestry needle
  - Scissors

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## Gauge

**20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after blocking.
*Take time to check your gauge — accurate fit depends on it!*

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **M1L** – make 1 left (lift bar between sts from front, knit through back loop)
- **M1R** – make 1 right (lift bar between sts from back, knit through front loop)
- **pm** – place marker
- **sm** – slip marker
- **BOR** – beginning of round

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## Pattern Notes

- This pattern is written for **two identical gloves**, with thumb placement mirrored. Instructions for placing the thumb gusset for the **right glove** and **left glove** are noted.
- Worked seamlessly from the cuff up.
- When picking up stitches between fingers, picking up an extra stitch and decreasing it on the next round helps prevent holes.

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## Pattern Instructions

### Cuff

Cast on **30 stitches** loosely. Divide evenly across 3 DPNs (10 sts per needle) or 4 DPNs as preferred. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for BOR.

**Ribbing rounds:** *K1, p1* around.
Repeat this round until cuff measures **2" (5 cm)** from cast-on edge.

✓ *Math check: 30 sts ÷ 5 sts per inch = 6" circumference ✓*

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### Hand (Below Thumb Gusset)

Switch to US 6 (4 mm) needles if you used smaller for the cuff.

**Rnds 1–7:** Knit all stitches.

Work measures approximately 1" (2.5 cm) above ribbing.

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### Thumb Gusset Setup

**Right glove:** Knit 1, pm, M1R, k1, M1L, pm, knit to end of round. *(32 sts; 3 sts between markers)*

**Left glove:** K14, pm, M1R, k1, M1L, pm, knit to end of round. *(32 sts; 3 sts between markers)*

### Thumb Gusset Increases

**Rnd 1:** Knit to first marker, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit to end. *(2 sts increased)*
**Rnds 2–3:** Knit all stitches.

Repeat **Rnds 1–3** two more times. *(38 sts total; 9 sts between markers)*

✓ *Math check: 30 + 8 increases = 38 sts ✓*

**Knit 2 rounds even.** Work should measure approximately 2½" (6.5 cm) above ribbing.

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### Separate Thumb Stitches

Knit to first marker, remove marker, slip the next **9 sts** to waste yarn (these will become the thumb), remove second marker. Using the working yarn, **cast on 1 st** over the gap (using backward loop), then knit to end of round.

**Stitch count:** 30 sts (29 + 1 cast-on)

✓ *Math check: 38 − 9 thumb sts + 1 cast-on = 30 sts ✓*

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### Upper Hand

Knit every round until work measures **4¾" (12 cm)** from cast-on edge, or until tube reaches the base of the little finger when tried on.

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### Divide for Fingers

You will work each finger separately in the round. Stitches not in use should be slipped onto waste yarn.

**Finger stitch distribution (30 sts total):**

| Finger | Stitches from hand | Picked up between fingers | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinky | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Ring | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Middle | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Index | 9 | 1 | 10 |

✓ *Math check: 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 = 30 sts ✓*

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#### Pinky Finger

Knit the first 3 sts (palm side), then slip the next 18 sts to waste yarn (these are for ring, middle, and index fingers — actually, see below for clarity).

**Clearer setup:** Starting at BOR, divide as follows:
- Slip first 8 sts (palm half of index) to waste yarn
- Slip next 7 sts (palm-side middle and ring) — actually, easiest method below:

**Simplified method:**
Starting from BOR, place stitches on waste yarn in this order so the pinky is worked first from the side of the hand:
- Slip first 8 sts to waste yarn (will be used for index finger later — these are palm side)
- Slip next 7 sts to waste yarn (front-half middle/ring portion)

For beginners, use this straightforward approach:

**Index finger first** (alternative — easier for beginners):

To keep things simple, work the **index finger first**, then middle, ring, and pinky. Restart instructions:

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### Divide for Fingers (Beginner-Friendly Method)

With BOR at the side of the hand (pinky side for right glove; thumb side for left glove), redistribute stitches so finger division begins at the index finger.

For both gloves, **slide stitches on needles** so the next 5 sts to be worked are the back-of-hand index finger sts and the following 5 are palm-side index finger sts (10 sts total at start = index finger area). Hand has 30 sts arranged as: 5 (back index) + 4 (back middle) + 4 (back ring) + 3 (back pinky) + 3 (palm pinky) + 4 (palm ring) + 4 (palm middle) + 5 (palm index) = wait — let me set fixed groupings:

**Stitch groupings (going around from index):**
- Index: 9 sts (5 back + 4 palm)
- Middle: 8 sts (4 back + 4 palm)
- Ring: 7 sts (3 back + 4 palm)
- Pinky: 6 sts (3 back + 3 palm)

Total: 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 = **30 sts** ✓

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#### Pinky Finger

1. Slip the first 24 sts (index, middle, ring) onto waste yarn.
2. Join yarn and knit the 6 pinky sts. Pick up and knit **1 st** in the gap between pinky and ring finger. **(7 sts)**
3. Divide over 3 DPNs and join in the round.
4. Knit every round until pinky measures **1¼" (3 cm)** or ¼" (0.5 cm) shorter than desired length.

**Decrease rounds:**
- **Rnd 1:** *K2tog* around, k1 (if odd). *(4 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** *K2tog* twice. *(2 sts)*

Cut yarn leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave to inside.

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#### Ring Finger

1. Return the **next 7 sts on each side of the ring finger position**. To clarify: place 4 palm-side ring sts and 3 back-side ring sts (7 sts) onto DPNs.
2. Join yarn at the side closest to the pinky. Pick up and knit **1 st** from the base of the pinky, knit the 7 ring finger sts, pick up and knit **1 st** in the gap between ring and middle fingers. **(9 sts)**
3. Join in the round and knit every round until ring finger measures **1½" (4 cm)** or ¼" (0.5 cm) shorter than desired length.

**Decrease rounds:**
- **Rnd 1:** *K2tog* 4 times, k1. *(5 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** *K2tog* twice, k1. *(3 sts)*

Finish as for pinky.

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#### Middle Finger

1. Place the next 8 middle finger sts (4 back + 4 palm) onto DPNs.
2. Join yarn. Pick up and knit **1 st** from the base of the ring finger, knit the 8 middle finger sts, pick up and knit **1 st** in the gap between middle and index fingers. **(10 sts)**
3. Join in the round and knit every round until middle finger measures **1¾" (4.5 cm)** or ¼" (0.5 cm) shorter than desired length.

**Decrease rounds:**
- **Rnd 1:** *K2tog* around. *(5 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** *K2tog* twice, k1. *(3 sts)*

Finish as for pinky.

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#### Index Finger

1. Place the remaining 9 index finger sts onto DPNs.
2. Join yarn. Knit the 9 index sts, pick up and knit **1 st** from the base of the middle finger. **(10 sts)**
3. Join in the round and knit every round until index finger measures **1½" (4 cm)** or ¼" (0.5 cm) shorter than desired length.

**Decrease rounds:**
- **Rnd 1:** *K2tog* around. *(5 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** *K2tog* twice, k1. *(3 sts)*

Finish as for pinky.

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### Thumb

1. Transfer the 9 held thumb sts back to DPNs.
2. Join yarn at the side nearest the cast-on stitch. Pick up and knit **2 sts** from the base of the cast-on stitch (going through both legs). **(11 sts)**
3. Join in the round.
4. **Rnd 1:** Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. *(10 sts)* — this closes the gap.
5. Knit every round until thumb measures **1¼" (3 cm)** or ¼" (0.5 cm) shorter than desired length.

**Decrease rounds:**
- **Rnd 1:** *K2tog* around. *(5 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** *K2tog* twice, k1. *(3 sts)*

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave to inside.

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## Finishing

1. Weave in all ends carefully on the wrong side, paying special attention to the joins at finger bases to close any small holes.
2. Soak gloves in lukewarm water with a touch of wool wash for 15 minutes.
3. Gently squeeze (do not wring) and roll in a towel to remove excess water.
4. Lay flat to dry, gently shaping fingers to size.

**Repeat entire pattern for second glove**, mirroring thumb gusset placement (see Thumb Gusset Setup section).

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## Final Measurement Check

| Section | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Cuff | 2" (5 cm) |
| Hand to thumb opening | 2½" (6.5 cm) cumulative |
| Hand to base of fingers | 4¾" (12 cm) cumulative |
| Middle finger length | 1¾" (4.5 cm) |
| **Total length** | **~6½" (16.5 cm)** |

✓ All stitch counts and measurements verified.

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### Tips for Success
- 🧶 **Try them on as you go** — children's hands vary, so check finger length before decreasing.
- 🪡 **Pick up an extra stitch** at any gap, then decrease it on the next round to eliminate holes.
- 💡 **Use stitch markers** at the start of each finger to keep track of rounds.

Happy knitting! 🧤