Two-Color Back Panel Fingerless Gloves

Skill level: Intermediate
Construction: Worked in the round from cuff to knuckles, with a stranded 28-stitch colorwork panel on the back of the hand and a thumb gusset.

A snug ribbed cuff, a solid palm, and a 28-stitch two-color motif spanning the back of the hand. The same 28-stitch panel is used in every size; extra stitches are added on the palm so the motif never stretches or compresses.

Sizes

Child (Adult S, M, L)
To fit hand circumference: about 6½ (7½, 8½, 9½)" [16.5 (19, 21.5, 24) cm]
Finished hand circumference: 7¼ (8¾, 9½, 10½)" [18.5 (22, 24, 26.5) cm]
Hand length (after cuff, to bind-off): 3 (3½, 4, 4½)" [7.5 (9, 10, 11.5) cm], adjustable

Shown as Adult M. Choose the size closest to actual hand circumference; fabric has little stretch in the colorwork panel.

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4), two colors.

• MC (main / palm and cuff): about 70 (90, 110, 130) yd [64 (82, 100, 119) m]
• CC (contrast / motif): about 25 (30, 35, 40) yd [23 (27, 32, 37) m]

Example: wool or wool-blend worsted that strands cleanly (solid MC with a high-contrast CC).

Needles

• US 6 / 4 mm: 16" circular or DPNs for ribbing
• US 7 / 4.5 mm: DPNs or 9" circular / magic loop for stockinette and colorwork

Or sizes needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch markers (including 1 unique BOR), waste yarn or stitch holder, tapestry needle.

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette stitch in the round on larger needles, after blocking.
Colorwork panel should also measure close to 5 sts per inch; if the panel draws in, go up one needle size for colorwork only.

Abbreviations (US)

BOR beginning of round
CC contrast color
CO cast on
k knit
kfb knit into front and back (1 st increased)
MC main color
m1L make 1 left (lift strand from front to back, knit through back)
m1R make 1 right (lift strand from back to front, knit through front)
p purl
pm place marker
rnd(s) round(s)
sm slip marker
st(s) stitch(es)
St st stockinette stitch (knit every rnd)

Notes

• Gloves are identical except the thumb gusset sits at the start of the palm so the 28-st panel stays centered on the back. Work two the same, or swap “before palm / after palm” gusset placement for a mirrored pair (see Thumb Gusset).
• Carry CC only across the 28-st back panel. Catch floats every 3–4 stitches. Do not strand CC across the palm.
• The 28-stitch motif is a stranded panel: two colors, geometric or small repeating figures that read clearly at worsted gauge (for example, columns, diamonds, or a simple Fair Isle band). Work the panel from a 28-stitch chart if you have one; if not, work 28 sts in a two-color repeat of your choice (e.g., *k2 MC, k2 CC; repeat from * seven times) so the panel remains exactly 28 stitches.
• Keep MC as the dominant (background) yarn for even fabric.

Pattern

Cuff

With smaller needles and MC, CO 36 (44, 48, 52) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for BOR.

Rib rnd: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Work ribbing until cuff measures 2½" [6.5 cm].

Change to larger needles.

Set-up for panel and palm

Set-up rnd (MC): K 28 (back panel), pm, k to end (palm).
Stitch count: 28 panel + 8 (16, 20, 24) palm = 36 (44, 48, 52) sts.

Hand to gusset

Join CC.

Colorwork rnd: Work 28 sts in two-color stranded pattern (chart or chosen 28-st repeat), sm, k in MC to end.

Repeat Colorwork rnd until piece measures 1 (1¼, 1½, 1¾)" [2.5 (3, 4, 4.5) cm] from end of ribbing, or desired length to base of thumb.

Thumb gusset

Gusset sits between panel and palm (right side of the back as worn on the right hand). For a mirrored left glove, work increases at the end of the palm instead (last 2 palm sts).

Inc rnd: Work 28-st colorwork panel, sm, m1R, pm, k in MC to end, m1L. (2 sts increased)
Next rnd: Work panel, sm, k MC to end (knit gusset sts in MC).

Repeat Inc rnd every other rnd 4 (5, 6, 7) more times — 5 (6, 7, 8) inc rnds total, 10 (12, 14, 16) gusset sts.

Total sts: 46 (56, 62, 68)
Check: 36 + 10 = 46; 44 + 12 = 56; 48 + 14 = 62; 52 + 16 = 68 ✓

Work even (panel in colorwork, all remaining sts MC) for 2 (2, 4, 4) rnds.

Next rnd: Work 28-st panel, sm, place next 10 (12, 14, 16) gusset sts on waste yarn, CO 2 sts with MC using backward loop, k MC to end.

Hand sts: 38 (46, 50, 54)
Check: 46 − 10 + 2 = 38; 56 − 12 + 2 = 46; 62 − 14 + 2 = 50; 68 − 16 + 2 = 54 ✓

Upper hand

Continue Colorwork rnd (28-st panel, palm and 2 CO sts in MC) until hand from cuff measures 3 (3½, 4, 4½)" [7.5 (9, 10, 11.5) cm], or until fabric reaches the base of the fingers. Break CC.

Optional ribbed top: Change to smaller needles. With MC, *k2, p2; repeat from *, decreasing 2 (2, 2, 2) sts evenly on the first rnd — 36 (44, 48, 52) sts. Work 4 rnds k2, p2 rib.

Bind off loosely in pattern (or knitwise if no top rib).

Thumb

Return 10 (12, 14, 16) held sts to larger needles. With MC, pick up and knit 4 sts across the CO edge (2 from the CO sts and 1 in each corner to close gaps). 14 (16, 18, 20) sts.

K 6 (8, 8, 10) rnds, or to desired thumb length (about ¾–1").

Optional: 3 rnds k1, p1 rib on smaller needles.

Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Weave in ends, closing any thumb gaps. Block lightly to measurements, pinning the 28-st panel flat without stretching the palm.

Schematic (approx.)

Work a second glove the same way (or mirrored gusset).