This vintage knitting pattern for “Fun n Frolic” children’s gloves was first published in the early 1940’s. The design features a textured rib pattern on the back of the gloves. They are sized to fit children of ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13 years.
Note: This pattern uses old UK needle sizes and is knit with fingering weight wool.
Fun n frolic children’s gloves
Abbreviations
K. – knit
p. – purl
sts. – stitches
tog. – together
rep. – repeat
inc. – increase
dec. – decrease
beg. – beginning
rem. remains(ing)
cont. – continue
patt. – pattern
sl. – slip
p.s.s.o. – pass slipped stitch over
ins. – inches
m.1 – make 1 (by bringing or leaving the wool forward before a k. st. or winding the wool around the needle before a p. st.)
r.s.f. – right side facing
tbs. – through back of stitches
st.st. – stocking stitch (right side k. wrong side p.)
reverse st.st. – right side p. wrong side k.
R. H. – right hand
L. H. – left hand
moss st. – moss stitch (k.1 p.1 alternatively on an uneven number of stitches)
M. – main shade
L. light shade
D. – dark shade
A. – angora
Y. – yellow
d.c. – double crochet
Materials
4ply Knitting Wool.
1 pair No 13 knitting needles
Size
A (B C)
Yarn required: 1 1/4oz (1 1/2oz 2oz)
Average size for ages 5-7 (8-10 11-13years)
Pattern
The pattern used for back of hand:
1st row: *k1, p1; rep from * across required number of sts.
2nd row: K.
These 2 rows comprise the patt for back of hand, while the palm, thumb and fingers are worked in stst throughout.
RH Glove
Cast on 38 (42 46) sts and work in k1, p1, rib for 2 (2 1/4 2 1/2) ins.
Inc into every 9th (10th 10th) st on last row. There are now 42 (46 50) sts on needle.
Now work as follows: Patt across 22 (24 26) sts then k to end.
Next row: P across 20 (22 24) sts then k to end of row.
Rep these last 2 rows once (once twice) more.
Now commence thumb gusset
1st row: Patt across 22 (24 26) sts then k1, then k 3 times (twice twice) into next st and k to end.
2nd row: P across 22 (23 25) sts then k 22 (24 26) sts.
3rd row patt across 22 (24 26) sts then k1. Then for size A inc into next st, k1, inc into next st and k to end. For sizes B and C inc into each of the next 2 sts and k to end.
Work 3 rows as now set keeping the patt sts for back of hand correct and the remainder in stst.
7th row: Patt across 22 (24 26) sts, k1. Then for A inc into next st, k3, inc into next st, k to end. For B and C inc into next st, k2, inc into next st, k to end.
Cont rep the last 4 rows (allowing for 2 extra sts in thumb gusset after each inc row) until there are 52 (57 63) sts on needle.
After the last inc row, work 1 (3 3) rows without shaping.
The Thumb
Work across 35 (38 42) sts then turn and p back across 12 (13 15)sts then turn and cast on 3 sts.
Work in stst on these 15 (16 18)sts for 1 1/2 (1 3/4 2) ins (or 1/4 in from tip) ending with a p row.
Shape top
(rsf) Note: this shaping applies to the tops of all fingers.
1st row: K tog every 2nd and 3rd st.
2nd row: P.
3rd row: K 2 tog all along row.
Break wool, thread through rem sts, fasten off securely and sew down seam to base.
With rsf rejoin wool and pick up and k 3 sts from base of thumb, k to end. There are now 43 (47 51) sts on needle.
Now work across all sts (keeping the patt correct on back of hand) for 1 (1 1/8 1 1/4) ins (or for length required) to base of first finger, ending with a wrong side row.
First Finger
K across 28 (30 33) sts, turn and p back across 13 (13 15) sts then turn and cast on 3 sts. There are now 16 (16 18) sts on needle. Work in stst on these sts for 1 3/4 (2 2 1/4) ins (or 1/4 in from tip) ending with a p row. Shape top and sew down seam as for thumb.
Second Finger
Rejoin wool and pick up and k 3 sts from base of 1st finger then k across 5 (6 6) sts. Turn and p back across 13 (15 15) sts then turn and cast on 3 sts. Work in stst on these 16 (18 18) sts for 2 (2 1/4 2 1/2) ins (or 1/4 in from tip) Shape top and sew down seam as for thumb.
Third Finger
Rejoin wool and pick up and k 3 sts from base of 2nd finger then k across 5 (6 6) sts. Turn and p back across 13 (15 15) sts then turn and cast on 3 sts. Cont in stst on these 16 (16 18) sts for 1 3/4 (2 2 1/4) ins (or 1/4 in from tip) Shape top and sew down seam as for thumb.
Fourth Finger
Rejoin wool and pick up and k 3 sts from base of 3rd finger k to end. Cont in stst on these 13 (15 15) sts for 1 1/4 (1 1/2 1 3/4) ins (or 1/4 in from tip). Shape top and finish off, then sew down seam of glove.
LH Glove
Work as for RH to completion of ribbing. The patt is worked as follows:
1st row: K across 20 (22 24) sts then patt to end of row.
2nd row: K across 22 (24 26) sts then p to end of row.
Keeping patt correct as now set work the same number of rows as for RH to commencement of thumb gusset.
Commence thumb gusset
1st row: K across 17 (19 21) sts then k 3 times (twice twice) into next st, k2 then patt to end of row.
2nd row: k across 22 (24 26) sts then p to end of row.
3rd row K across 17 (19 21) sts then for size A inc into next st, k1, inc into next st, k2 then patt to end. For sizes B and C inc into each of next 2 sts, k 2, then patt to end.
Work 3 rows as now set, keeping patt correct for back of hand and remainder in stst.
7th row: K across 17 (19 21) sts then for A inc into next st, k3, inc into next st, k2 then patt to end. For B and C inc into next st, k2, inc into next st, k 2, then patt to end.
Cont in this way inc at each side of thumb gusset in every 4th row until the same number of rows have been worked to commencement of thumb as on RH.
The Thumb (rsf)
K across 29 (32 36) sts then turn and cast on 3 sts. P back across 15 (16 18) sts. Complete thumb on these sts as for RH.
Pick up 3 sts from base of thumb and cont across all sts as for RH for correct length.
First Finger
K across 28 (30 33) sts then turn and cast on 3 sts. P back across 16 (16 18) sts then turn and complete finger on these sts.
Second Finger
Pick up 3 sts from base of 1st finger, then k across 5 (6 6) sts turn and cast on 3 sts then p back over 16 (18 18) sts. Complete finger on these sts.
Third Finger
Pick up 3 sts from base of 2nd finger, then k across 5 (6 6) sts turn and cast on 3 sts then p back over 16 (18 18) sts. Cont on these sts for finger.
Fourth Finger
Pick up 3 sts from base of 3rd finger and cont on rem sts for length required, then shape top and sew down seam of glove.
Press the gloves carefully with a warm iron over a damp cloth omitting the ribbing.