Ringwood gloves: Knitty Deep Fall 2010

by Rebecca Blair

The town of Ringwood was a glove-manufacturing hot spot in Victorian England, and this easy textured stitch was a traditional pattern that knitters used for their wares.

In his book A History of Hand Knitting, Richard Rutt reproduced an old pattern for the traditional gloves. I have updated it here with a range of adult sizes, and a smart buttoned seed stitch cuff inspired by the tidy tabbed wrist closures of equestrian gloves.

The Ringwood Stitch is stretchy and cozy by itself, and pure merino wool yarn makes the gloves thick and soft. They are thoroughly practical and perfect for ushering in winter.

model: Rebecca Blair

photos: Jeremy Livingston

SIZE
S, M, L

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
7[8, 9] inches around knuckles
Finger/hand length adjustable to fit.

MATERIALS
Yarn
Pink version
Madelinetosh Tosh DK [100% merino, 225 yards/206m per 4oz skein]; color: Fragrant. 1[2, 2] skeins

Green version
Belfast Mini-Mills Island Collection Pure Merino [100% merino wool; 250m per 100g skein]; color: Green; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #6/4mm double-point needles
OR
1 32 inch or longer US #6/4mm circular needle for magic loop method
OR
2 shorter US #6/4mm circular needles for two circular methods

Notions
Yarn needle
4 buttons Note: Buy buttons after gloves are complete to ensure correct size.
stitch marker
stitch holder
several lengths of scrap yarn
darning needle
matching thread

GAUGE
22 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches square in stockinette stitch
24 sts/26 rounds = 4 inches square in Ringwood stitch

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

The Ringwood stitch pattern is very stretchy. If in doubt, err on the side of making gloves that are too small around -- they will stretch to fit.

Seed Stitch: Worked back and forth over an odd number of stitches.
All rows: [K1, p1] to end.

Ringwood Stitch: Worked in the round over a multiple of 2 sts.
Round 1: Knit. Round 2: [K1, p1] to end.
Round 3: Knit.

DIRECTIONS
LEFT GLOVE
CO 51[55, 61] sts. Do not join.

Work Seed Stitch for 7 [7, 9] rows.

Buttonhole row: K1, p1, k2tog, yo, [k1, p1] to end.

Work Seed Stitch for 7 [7, 9] rows.

Work Buttonhole row again.

Work Seed Stitch for 7 [7, 9] rows.

Next row [RS]: BO 11 sts, k to end. 40[44, 50] sts remain.

Divide sts across your needles as you prefer and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Note or mark the beginning of the round.

From here you will work in Ringwood Stitch.
Work Rounds 1-3 of pattern 3[3, 4] times.

Next round, establish thumb gusset position:

Sizes S & M only: Work in established pattern for 20[22, -] sts, PM, m1, k1, m1, PM, work in established pattern to end of round.

Size L only: Work in established pattern for -[-, 25] sts, PM, m1, p1, m1, PM, work in established pattern to end of round.

All sizes: Work 2 rounds even, incorporating new sts into pattern. (Make sure that the knit and purl columns inside and outside the markers line up -- this will sometimes require that you knit 2 sts in a row in the area between the gusset markers.)

Increase round: Work to first marker in established pattern, sl marker, m1, work to second marker in pattern, m1, sl marker, work to end in established pattern.
Work 2 rounds even, incorporating new sts into pattern.

Repeat the previous 3 rounds 5[6,7] more times until there are 15[17, 19] sts between markers.

Next round: Work to first gusset marker in pattern, remove marker, sl the next 15[17, 19] sts to a st holder or scrap of yarn, CO 1 st over the gap, remove second marker, work to end of round. 40[44, 50]

Work in Ringwood Stitch as established for 12[15, 18] more rounds, or until hand of glove is long enough to cover knuckles.

Pinky finger
Work first 4[5, 6] sts of round in Ringwood Stitch. Sl next 32[34, 38] sts of round onto scrap yarn. CO 2 sts over the gap, and work remaining 4[5, 6] sts of round in pattern. 10[12, 14] sts total. Divide sts across your needles and mark the beginning of the round.

Work in Ringwood Stitch for 2[2.5, 2.75] inches or until the finger is desired finished length.
Decrease round: K2tog around. 5[6, 7] sts.
Break yarn and thread it through the remaining sts. Fasten off.

Ring finger
Return the 4[5, 6] sts closest to the pinky finger on each side to your needles. With RS facing, working away from the pinky finger, join yarn and work in pattern across 4[5, 6] sts, CO 2 sts over the gap, work across the next 4[5, 6] sts, and pick up and knit 2 sts over the CO edge of the previous finger worked. 12[14, 16] sts. Divide sts across your needles and mark the beginning of the round.

Work in Ringwood Stitch for 2.5[3, 3.5] inches or until the finger is the desired finished length.

Decrease round: K2tog around. 6[7, 8] sts.
Break yarn and thread it through the remaining sts. Fasten off.

Middle finger
Return the 6[6, 6] sts closest to the pinky finger on each side to your needles.
With RS facing, working away from the ring finger, join yarn and work across 6[6, 6] sts, CO 2 sts over the gap, work across next 6[6, 6]sts, and pick up and knit 2 sts over the CO edge of the previous finger worked. 16[16, 16] sts. Divide sts across your needles and mark the beginning of the round.

Work in Ringwood Stitch for 3[3.5, 4] inches or until finger is desired finished length.

Decrease round: K2tog around. 8[8,8] sts.
Repeat Decrease round. 4[4, 4] sts.
Break yarn and thread it through the remaining sts. Fasten off.
Index finger
Place the remaining 12[12, 14] hand sts on your needles. Working away from the middle finger, rejoin yarn and work across sts, then pick up and k 2 sts over the CO edge of the previous finger worked. 14[14, 16] sts. Divide sts across your needles and mark the beginning of the round.
Work in Ringwood Stitch for 2.5[3, 3.5] inches or until the finger is the desired finished length.

Decrease round: K2tog around. 7[7, 8] sts.
Decrease round 2: K2tog 3[3, 4] times, k1[1, 0]. 4[4, 4] sts.
Break yarn and thread it through the remaining sts. Fasten off.

Thumb
Return 15[17, 19] held thumb sts to your needles. Join yarn and work in pattern across sts, then pick up and k 3 sts over the open edge of the hand. Divide sts across your needles and mark the beginning of the round.

Next round: Work 15[17, 17] sts in pattern, sk2p. 16[18, 18] sts remain.

Work even in Ringwood Stitch until thumb measures 2[2.5, 3] inches, or desired finished length.

Decrease round: K2tog around. 8[8, 9] sts.
Break yarn and thread it through the remaining sts. Fasten off.

RIGHT GLOVE
Cuff
CO 51[55, 61] sts. Do not join.
Work Seed Stitch for 7 [7, 9] rows.
Buttonhole row: Work seed st to last 5 sts, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1.
Work Seed Stitch for 7 [7, 9] rows.
Work Buttonhole row again.
Work Seed Stitch for 6 [6, 8] rows.
Next row [WS]: BO 11 sts, p to end. 40[44, 50] sts remain.

Divide sts across your needles as you prefer and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Note or mark the beginning of the round.
Work remainder of right glove the same as for left glove.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends, using the ends at the base of each finger to mend any holes in this area if necessary. Block gloves by washing in lukewarm water, squeezing out excess water in a towel, and laying flat to dry.

When gloves are completely dry, cut off loose ends. Fold over cuff flaps and mark button locations by putting a pin through each buttonhole and into the cuff fabric beneath. Using matching thread, sew on buttons.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Rebecca lives and knits in Canada, where her favourite things to make are lace and warm winter accessories.

She blogs sporadically.