Tonight's theme at the Salon was Handwarmers. While they can be knitted flat or in the round and  on almost any type of needle, we focused tonight on creating the seamless variety utilizing double pointed needles.  It was a challenge to master knitting with four double pointed needles, but fortunately everyone seemed to get the hang of it after just a couple of rows. All manner of fingerless gloves appeared on the needles tonight from some very soft baby alpaca knit on size 4 needles to a variety of merinos in weights from fine to bulky. And one knitter chose a very special skein from Canada, a luscious Alpaca, Newfoundland Dog and Merino combo in a beautiful charcoal brown. I am so glad to still have one skein of this yarn left for me to play with too!

For those who missed the Salon tonight or live too far to attend. Please enjoy one of our popular patterns to try with one of your own luscious fibers. This pattern will produce a lovely pair of fingerless gloves like those shown above. Feel free to use this pattern, but please remember to use it only for your personal use.

Amazing Alpaca Fingerless Gloves

Use this pattern as is or add more intricate elements such as: ruffled cuffs, lace patterns or cables.

Materials: 1 ball Misti Alpaca Sport 100% Baby Alpaca 50grs/146 yds per ball or similar yarn and yardage. Needles: 1 set size US 3/3.5mm dps and 1 set size US 4/3.75mm dps

Lace row: * K2 tog, yo, repeat from * to end of row. 

Directions: (Make 2) With larger needles, cast on 41 sts. Divide sts onto 3 needles, slip last cast on stitch onto left (now designated at needle #1) needle. and k these first two stitches on needle #1 together, pm on 3^rd or right needle and slip 1^st knitted st onto the 3^rd needle to begin knitting.

Knit in the round for 5 rows.

Next row: Lace row

Knit 3 rows.

Repeat Lace row

Knit 2 rows.

Next row: Decrease as follows: K2tog, k18 st, k2tog, k18 (38sts),

Next row: Decrease as follows: K2tog, k17, k2tog, k17 (36 sts). 

Begin knitting with smaller needles and continue to knit in the round until piece measures approximately 5¼”.

Continue knitting in the round, incorporating thumb gusset. (See below) into pattern.

Complete the entire thumb gusset pattern and continue to knit in the round on 36 sts for approximately 1”.

Optional for larger hands on your next row, you may wish to increase 2 sts evenly across row.

Change to larger needles.

Repeat Lace pattern across row.

Knit 4 or 5 rows.

Bind off loosely. Weave in ends.

Thumb Gusset:

Note: M1{make one} by picking up the horizontal bar between two stitches, placing it on your left needle, and knitting it through the back of the loop with your right needle.
Row 1: Knit to last 2 stitches. K1, m1, k1.

Row 2: Knit to last 3 stitches. K2, M1, k1.

Row 3: Knit across row.

Row 4: Knit to last 3 sts. k1, m1, k2.

Row 5: Knit to last 3 sts. k1, m1, k2.

Row 6: Knit across row

Row 7: Knit to last 4 sts, K1, m1, k1, m1, k2.

Row 8: Knit across row.

Row 9: Knit to last 5 sts. K1, m1, k1, m1, k3.

Rows 10 - 12: Knit these rows.

Row 13: Knit to last 10 sts. Bind off these last 10 sts. 

If you wish to make your fingerless gloves a bit more unique, consider incorporating one or more of the design concepts listed below to add more pizzazz to your gloves. Just remember to write down your pattern design so you can duplicate it for your second warmer.

· Work in a rib stitch (k2, P2) for the first 1.5 –2” for an interesting cuff

· Knit the entire glove in k1, p1 rib

· Try additional rows of the lace pattern

· Alternate colors or add stripes

· Buy additional yarn, and knit longer gloves to fit over your forearm for a more exotic accessory.

· Add a ruffled cuff with a contrasting or exotic fiber (consider a beaded silk, novelty fur or lace weight yarn).