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Airman’s Woollen Gloves

Cover of a world war two military knitting booklet

from “Guide to Knitting for the Services” by the Australian Comforts Fund, 1940

Materials

2 oz. of 4-ply Navy Blue Fingering Wool

Four UK No. 12 needles/2.75mm/US 2

Abbreviations

  • K = knit
  • P = purl
  • tog = together
  • inc = increase (by working into the back and front of the same stitch)
  • st = stitch
  • single rib is K1 and P1 alternately.

Tension and Measurements

Worked at a tension of 7 sts to the inch in width

suitable for a hand taking size 7 to 7½ in skin gloves, actually measuring 7½ inches round the hand.

To Work

Left Hand Glove

Begin at the wrist edge by casting on 52 sts as follows: 16 on the first pin, 20 on the second pin, and 16 on the third pin. If using the magic loop method place markers after the 16th and 36th sts so you can follow the directions as if they were on different needles throughout.

Work 34 rounds in rib.

Now begin the hand pattern.

1st Round: All K.

2nd and 3rd Rounds: * P1, K1; repeat from * to end of round.

4th Round: K the first pin; on the second pin K6 (front of hand). Increase into each of the next 2 sts for beginning of thumb gusset, K12; on third pin all K (when working the right hand glove count this row backwards).

5th and 6th Rounds: * K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row, this gives rib reversed over the last rib row. (double moss stitch)

** Next Round: K first pin; on second pin K6, inc, K2 (in every repeat of this inc round work 2 sts more here. For example, the next increase round will be “inc, k4, inc” and so on) inc, K12; on third pin all K (work this row backwards on right hand).

Work the next 2 rounds in rib reversed over previous rib stripe, and on second pin adjust the stitch pattern on the 8th st from the beginning and continue until 13 sts remain; again adjust the stitch pattern.

(When working the right hand adjust the pattern on 14th st from the beginning and continue until 7 sts remain, again adjust the pattern. This adjustment keeps the pattern correct on the thumb gusset and on the main part of the hand)

Repeat the last 3 rounds from ** until the 10th increase round has been worked with 40 sts on second pin.

Work 2 rounds.

Next Round: K the first pin; on the second pin K7 on front of hand, put next 20 sts on a stitch holder for the thumb, and leave for the present. K following 13, which gives 20 sts on second pin. K the third pin. (Reverse the numbers on this row on the right hand).

Work 20 rounds in pattern.

Next Round: K18, and put them onto a stitch holder. K the next 16 sts for the first finger. Pass the remaining 18 sts onto a stitch holder.

The First Finger

Cast on 2 sts, which gives 18 sts for the first finger.

Work 26 rounds in pattern (double moss stitch).

*** Next Round: All K, taking 2 sts tog at the end of third pin.

Rib 2 rounds.

Next Round: Work 2 sts tog at the end of each pin.

Repeat the last 3 rounds once more, then rib one round.

Cut the thread and pass the needle through the sts.

Draw up closely and fasten off securely.

The Second Finger

Slip two pins through next 6 sts from front of hand, also through next 6 sts from back of hand.

Join thread to base of first finger, pick up and K4 sts from base of finger, then K6 sts from stitch holder, cast on 2; this gives 18 sts; which arrange on 3 pins.

Work 29 rounds in pattern. Work from *** on first finger.

The Third Finger

Begin as for second finger, and work 26 rounds in pattern.

Work from *** on first finger.

The Fourth Finger

Join to the base of third finger, and from here pick up and K4 sts K next 6sts from stitch holder, and remaining 6 sts from second stitch holder. This gives 16 sts, which arrange on 3 pins.

Work 20 rounds in pattern.

Work from *** on first finger.

The Thumb

Pass the 20 sts on to a pin, pick up and K3 sts from hand edge, this gives 23 sts, which arrange on 3 pins.

Next Round: All K, taking 2 sts tog at the end of the third pin.

Rib 2 rounds.

Repeat last 3 rounds until 18 sts are left in round. Work 14 rounds in pattern.

Next Round: Work 2 sts tog at the end of each pin.

Work 2 rounds without decreasing.

Next Round: Work 2 sts tog at the end of each pin.

Work 1 round.

Cut thread and fasten off as on the fingers.

The Right Hand

Work from left hand directions, carrying out the directions in brackets for reversing the two hands.

Press with a hot iron and damp cloth over the right side of the work.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however this modernised and clarified version is copyright Sarah Bradberry, May 31st 2012. All rights reserved.