Crafting Adorable Crochet Baby Gloves: A Beginner's Guide

Crocheted baby gloves are a perfect gift for new parents. They are cosy and snug, and they protect babies from scratching themselves with their sharp nails. Crocheting baby gloves is also a fun activity for those who enjoy crafts. The process is easy and exciting, and the end product is always adorable. Plus, crocheted baby gloves are a great way to keep little hands warm during chilly winter days.

Crochet baby gloves: a step-by-step guide

Materials

First, gather your materials. You will need:

• Yarn in two colours (one main colour and one accent colour for the cuffs)
• A crochet hook (size will vary depending on the pattern you are following)
• Scissors
• A tapestry or yarn needle

Step 1: Cuff

Start by crocheting the ribbed cuffs. You will need to make two of these, and they will form the wrist of the glove. The cuffs are crocheted back-and-forth in rows.

Step 2: Main Mitten

Now, join your main colour yarn to the edge of the cuff, and begin to crochet the main mitten. You will be increasing the number of stitches to widen the thumb area, and then decreasing to shape the fingertips.

Step 3: Thumb

The thumb area will form as a bulge in the middle of the mitten. You will need to decrease stitches to shape the thumb.

Step 4: Seaming

Using the long tail of yarn at the end of the mitten, fold the mitten in half, with the right side on the inside. Whip stitch along the top edge, and then continue down the side edge of the mitten. Secure the yarn and weave in the ends.

Step 5: Cuff Edges

Using the long tail of yarn from the cuff section, seam the edges of the cuff by whip-stitching through the back loops of the stitches and the base of the starting chain. Secure and weave in the ends.

Step 6: Finishing

Flip the right side of the mitten out, and turn up the cuff. Repeat the process for the second mitten, and you're done!

Choosing the right yarn for crochet baby gloves

When it comes to choosing the right yarn for crochet baby gloves, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to select a yarn that is soft and gentle on a baby's delicate skin. Wool nylon blends or acrylic yarn are good options as they are usually machine washable and perfect for baby crochet patterns. You can also opt for yarns like Lion Brand LB Collection Mako Cotton, which is affordable and great for babies, although it is not machine washable.

Another factor to consider is the weight of the yarn. Most baby glove patterns call for light or medium weight yarn, such as DK weight or worsted weight yarn. This is because thicker yarns may make the gloves too bulky and uncomfortable for the baby. It is also important to choose a yarn that matches the required gauge for your pattern, as this will ensure your gloves are the correct size.

Additionally, you may want to choose a yarn colour that is suitable for the baby's gender or that matches their outfits. Some patterns also call for two colours of yarn, one for the main colour and another for an accent colour on the cuffs. Finally, it is always a good idea to check how much yarn is required for your pattern, as baby gloves typically use a small amount of yarn.

How to adjust crochet baby gloves for the right fit

When making crochet baby gloves, it's important to ensure that they fit snugly but comfortably on the baby's hands. Here are some tips and adjustments you can make to achieve the right fit:

Measure the Baby's Hands

Before you begin crocheting, take measurements of the baby's hands. Measure the width between the bottom knuckles of the pinky and thumb, the length from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger, and the circumference around the wrist for the cuff. These measurements will help you determine the size of the gloves you need to make.

Choose the Right Yarn and Hook Size

The type of yarn and hook size you choose can impact the fit of the gloves. For baby gloves, it is recommended to use a soft and machine-washable yarn, such as acrylic or an acrylic-wool blend. The pattern you follow should specify the weight and amount of yarn required. As for hook size, a smaller hook will create tighter stitches, resulting in smaller gloves, while a larger hook will create looser stitches and larger gloves.

Adjust the Cuff Size

The cuff of the glove should fit comfortably around the baby's wrist without being too tight or too loose. You can adjust the cuff size by adding or removing rows from the pattern. For example, if the cuff is too tight, you can add a few extra rows to make it slightly longer. Conversely, if the cuff is too loose, you can remove a few rows to make it shorter.

Modify the Main Mitten

After joining the main colour yarn to the cuff, you can adjust the size of the main mitten by increasing or decreasing the number of stitches. To make the mitten wider, increase stitches around the thumb area, and to make it narrower, decrease stitches accordingly. You can also adjust the length of the mitten by adding or removing rows before decreasing for the fingertip shaping.

Add a Simple Tie or Closure

Instead of a fixed cuff, you can add a simple tie or chain closure to the wrist area. This allows for adjustability and ensures that the gloves stay securely on the baby's hands. You can crochet a long chain stitch and attach it to the cuff, creating a loop that you can weave the cuff through to tighten the fit.

Create Thumb Separations

Most baby glove patterns do not include separate thumbs, but if you want to add them, you can modify the pattern. After completing the cuff, divide the stitches and work separately for the thumb and the rest of the fingers. This will create a separation for the thumb, allowing for a more tailored fit.

Remember, it's always better to have the gloves slightly bigger than too small, as babies grow quickly. With these adjustments, you can ensure that your crochet baby gloves are comfortable, functional, and provide the perfect fit for the little one's hands.

Crochet baby gloves: a photo tutorial

Materials

For this project, you will need:

• Aran/worsted weight #4 yarn in your choice of main colour and an accent colour for the cuffs. Ling Ryan recommends Paintbox Yarn Simply Aran, but you can use any type of #4 aran or worsted weight yarn.
• A 5mm hook for the cuff and a 5.5mm hook for the main mitten.
• A yarn needle.
• Scissors.

Getting Started

You will be crocheting the cuff first and then working the rest of the mitten onto the edge of it. The right and left hands will be the same, so you can keep the seamed edge along the pinky when wearing, allowing extra area for the thumbs.

Crocheting the Cuff

Make 2 as follows: Using a 5mm hook and your chosen cuff colour, ch11/12. Starting from the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in each ch, turn (10/11 hdc sts). Ch1 (this doesn't count as a stitch), hdc in the BLO of each st, turn (10/11 hdc sts). Repeat the second row for a total of 10/12 rows. (10/11 hdc sts) Cut the yarn leaving a long tail (approx. 8”) and pull through to fasten off.

Your cuffs should measure 4.5/5” long by 2.5/2.75” wide, without stretching.

Crocheting the Main Mitten

Now, join your main colour along the edge of the cuff to work the main mitten. You will increase to widen for the thumb and then decrease around the fingertips.

When working along the edge of the cuff, work 3 slip stitches evenly along every 2 rows. Hook through the leg of the hdc stitches, through both loops of the edge stitch top, and through the turning ch1 loop.

Make 2 as follows: Switch to a 5.5mm hook. Please note the different joining points for each size. We will be joining the yarn with a sl st into the last stitch worked on the cuff. For Size A, join into the leg of the hdc stitch. For Size B, join through the back loop only of the stitch top, sl st x17/21 evenly along the edge of the cuff, turn (18/22 sl sts including the joining sl st).

Work through both loops of each slip stitch. Ch1 (this doesn't count as a st), sc in each st, turn (18/22 sc sts). Ch2 (counts as a ch1 sp throughout the pattern), sk the first st, sc, *ch1, sk1, sc*, repeat between * to the end of the row, turn (Total of 18/22 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the sc below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the sc below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 2/3 more times, ch1, sk1, [SPsc, ch1, SPsc] into the next sc below the ch1 sp, repeat between * again 4/5 times to the end of the row, turn (Total of 20/24 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 2/3 more times, ch1, sk1, sc into the ch1 sp of the increase, repeat between * again 5/6 times to the end of the row, turn (Total of 20/24 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * to the end of the row, turn (Total of 20/24 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the sc below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the sc below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 2/3 more times, ch1, sk1, [SPsc, ch1, SPsc] into the next sc below the ch1 sp, repeat between * again 5/6 times to the end of the row, turn (Total of 22/26 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 3/4 more times, ch1, sk1, sc into the ch1 sp of the increase, repeat between * again 5/6 times to the end of the row, turn (Total of 22/26 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * to the end of the row, turn (Total of 22/26 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the sc below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 3/4 more times, ch1, sk1, [SPsc, ch1, SPsc] into the next sc below the ch1 sp, repeat between * again 5/6 times to the end of the row, turn (Total of 24/28 sts).

Ch2, sk the first st, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp, *ch1, sk1, SPsc into the st below the ch1 sp*, repeat between * 3/4 more times, ch1, sk1, sc into the ch1 sp of the increase, repeat between

The best crochet hooks for baby gloves

When it comes to crocheting baby gloves, choosing the right hook size is crucial. The hook size will determine the tightness of your stitches and the overall size of the gloves. For baby gloves, a smaller hook is typically recommended to achieve a tighter stitch and a snug fit for the baby's hands. Here are some of the best crochet hooks to consider for your baby glove project:

G/6 (4.00mm) Hook

This hook size is commonly suggested for newborn baby gloves. It will give you a tighter stitch and a smaller glove size compared to larger hooks. Using this hook, you can create lightweight projects and accessories perfect for spring and summer.

F/5 (3.75mm) Hook

For a slightly larger size, you can opt for the F/5 (3.75mm) hook. This size is ideal for creating fine yarn projects like baby mittens and socks. It will give you a bit more flexibility in terms of stitch size while still resulting in a cosy pair of gloves.

B/1 (2.25mm) Hook

If you want to go even smaller, the B/1 (2.25mm) hook is the smallest size before moving to steel hooks. This tiny hook is perfect for super-fine yarn projects and can be used to create intricate details in your baby gloves.

C/2 (2.75mm) Hook

The C/2 (2.75mm) hook is another small hook size ideal for projects requiring intricate detailing. It is often used for creating delicate items like lace designs and small flowers. It can also be used for crocheting baby items and socks.

D/3 (3.25mm) Hook

The D/3 (3.25mm) hook falls within the range of hook sizes suitable for super-fine yarn projects. It is a good choice if you want to create delicate crochet stitches while maintaining a slightly larger glove size compared to the smaller hooks.

E/4 (3.5mm) Hook

The E/4 (3.5mm) hook is at the upper end of the super-fine yarn category. It can be used for baby projects, especially when working with lighter-weight yarn. This hook size will allow you to add more rows and colour options without making the gloves too bulky.

In addition to the hook size, remember to choose the right type of yarn for your baby gloves. Soft and breathable yarns like acrylic, cotton, or baby alpaca yarn are ideal, and worsted weight yarn is often recommended for its blend of thickness and softness.

Frequently asked questions