How to Crochet Fingerless Gloves: free crochet patterns

In this article I am going to share with you five simple but stunning crochet fingerless gloves patterns, for gorgeous, cosy hand warmers.

Fingerless gloves are a fantastic way to stay warm, without loosing that all important dexterity. Most important for those of us who constantly have a hook and yarn in their hands!

We will start with the most simple, easy, basic crochet hand warmer pattern, and gradually increase in complexity as the patterns continue.

Feel free to skip down to the pattern that interests you the most, or that you feel the most comfortable with, using the jump links to the right.

If you are new to crochet I recommend reading the instructions first and starting with the easiest option. You can always build up your skills from there.

How long does it take to crochet fingerless gloves?

If you are a fairly confident crocheter, you will find that you can put together a pair of crochet fingerless gloves within an hour at the very most, even with a couple of kids and various pets vying for your attention.

If you are new to crochet then of course it will take a little longer, but it should be a project that even someone totally fresh to the scene will be able to produce in the same day that they start it.

What stitches and techniques do crochet fingerless gloves use?

To crochet the most basic hand warmer, you will need to know how to make a chain, double crochet, increase and decrease.

You can find a tutorial on chaining here and on the double crochet here if you fancy a refresh. I take a look at increasing and decreasing next for those unfamiliar.

How do you crochet an increase?

Crocheting an increase in this pattern is nice and straight forward. All you will need to do is make an additional crochet into the same loop.

In the pattern I will put ‘2dc’ instead of ‘dc’, to denote two double crochets instead of one double crochet.

Nice and simple.

How do you crochet a decrease?

Crocheting a decrease is a little more complicated than an increase.

You will begin the stitch in the same way that you usually do.

Let’s look at the double crochet (US) as an example.

• Yarn over your hook.
• Hook through the stitch.
• Yarn over the hook and pull through the stitch.
• Yarn over the hook again and pull through the first two loops.
• Yarn over and insert your hook through the next stitch along.
• Yarn over and pull through the stitch
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops
• Yarn over and pull through all three remaining loops on the hook.

All of my crochet hand warmer patterns will require the above techniques, to some degree.

However, the last will also need an addition technique to be used on the cuffs.

How to crochet a puff stitch

A puff stitch is a way of making your crochet raised and textured. It is quite literally, puffed out. You will need to hold out the yarn during the stitch to create this effect.

It’s one of those things which is much easier to understand by way of demonstration than it is in written form, so if it’s not something you have used before, let’s take a look at this short tutorial video before continuing:

Puff stitches are more complicated than the other stitches we will show below, which is why they are only introduced after you are comfortable with the more basic forms of fingerless crochet gloves.

We have a good look at using puff stitches in this flower tutorial if you would like to learn more.

Sizing your fingerless gloves

At the start of each pattern I will let you know what hand type the glove pattern will suit. Most are designed for women’s adult sized hands, of a small to average width around the wrist, but all will have a certain amount of strength or ‘give’ due to the yarn being used and the nature of the stitches.

If you have larger or smaller hands than the sizes suggested, I recommend wrapping the initial chain around your knuckles before you begin. If the chain feels tight then add a couple of loops, if it’s loose undo a couple.

Just remember to adjust the count on the subsequent rows!

Basic Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

The basic crochet fingerless gloves pattern produces short, chunky hand warmer style of fingerless gloves. They are a loose fit, easy to pop on and off and will fit most adult hand sizes, male and female.

Great for wearing with longer sleeves, warm and versatile.

For this crochet pattern you will need:

• Size J / 6mm crochet hook
• 50g DK yarn in a single colour
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

The bracketed number at the end of each row is a stitch count, to help you make sure you are on the right track as you go along.

Row 1 – Chain (ch) 27 stitches, slip stitch (sl st) to join as a circle (27)
Row 2 – *Ch2, then dc (US) into the 3rd stitch from the hook. Dc into the next 26 stitches. Sl st into the top of the initial chain to join. (27)
Row 3 to 5 – repeat from * (27)
You are now beginning to make your thumb hole. The next few rows will not continue in a circle, but will leave a large gap.
Row 6 – Ch2, dc into the 3rd st from the hook. Dc once into the next 22 stitches. Ch2 from the final stitch. (23)
Turn over the glove
Row 7 – dc into 3rd st from the hook. Dc once into next 22 stitches. (23)
Turn over the glove
Row 8 – ch2, 2dc into next st, dc once into next 21 st, 2dc into final st of the row. Sl st to join. (25)
You have now made the thumb hole.
Row 9 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog, dc once into 18 st, 2 x dc2tog, sl st. (23)
Row 10 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog, dc once into next 12 st, then 2 x dc2tog, sl st (17)

At the end of the row cut off a long tail or yarn, and weave it back into the glove.

Simple Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

These fingerless gloves are more tailored to the shape of the hand. Made to fit small to medium sized female hand and wrist diameters. The wool blend gives a very warm finish, although slightly rougher than some of the other materials I have used for gloves whilst writing up these patterns.

The thick base stripe gives a defined finish to the glove, and completes the look.

You will need:

5mm crochet hook
Aran Blend Wool – Approx 50g main colour +10g accent colour for both hand warmers
Scissors
Yarn needle

Row 1 – Chain (ch) 26, slip stitch (sl st) to join as a circle. (26)
Row 2 – *ch2, then double crochet (dc) US into the back loop only (blo) of the 3rd chain from the hook. dc once into the next 25 stitches. Sl st into the top of the initial chain to join (26)
Row 3 and 4 – ch2, dc into both loops of the 3rd stitch from the hook. dc once into each subsequent stitch. Sl st to join at the end of the row. (26)
We will now be working on opening a thumb hole in your hand warmer.
Row 5 – ch2, dc into both loops of the 3rd stitch from the hook. dc once into the next 24 stitches. Do not join. (25)
Row 6 and 7 – turn your glove over. Ch2, dc into the 3rd stitch from the hook. Dc once into the next 24 stitches. (25)
Row 8 — turn your glove over. Ch2, dc into the same stitch you made the chain from. Dc once into the next 23 stitches. 2dc into the last st in the row. Sl st to join. (27)
You have now created your thumb hole. We will now be working a reduction for the final part of your hand.
Row 9 – ch2, dc the next 2 stitches together twice ( 2 x dc2tog). Dc once into the next 18 st. 2 x dc2tog. Dc into the base of the initial chain. Sl st to join. (24)
Row 10 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog. Dc once into the next 14 st. 2 x dc2tog. Dc into the base of the chain. Sl st to join. (20)
Row 11 – ch2, dc2tog. Dc once into the next 14 st. dc2tog. Sl st to join, beginning your colour change in this join. (18)
We will now be adding a little bit of length to the hand warmer, and working with your accent colour
Row 12 – ch 2, using the ch as the 1st st, dc once into each st in the round. Sl st to join. (18)
Row 13 – ch 2, using the ch as the 1st st, dc once into each st in the round. Sl st to join. (18)
Row 14 – ch 2, using the ch as the 1st st, dc once into each st in the round. Sl st to join. (18)

Finally to finish off, sew the ends into the body of your hand warmer using a yarn needle. Make sure to leave a generous tail when you cut off.

Striped Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

These crocheted fingerless gloves contain a repetitive striping pattern, which gives them a more sculpted look when finished. The pale and dark contrast is nice and eye catching, and they follow a little further down the arm to give extra warmth.

You will need:

5mm crochet hook
50g dk blue wool, 50g dk purple (I used Women’s Institute acrylic yarn)
Scissors
Yarn needle

Begin with the blue coloured yarn.

Row 1 – ch25, sl st to join
Row 2 – ch2, dc into the next 24 stitches, sl st
Row 3 – ch2, dc 24, colour change, sl st
Row 4 – ch2, dc 24, colour change, sl st
Row 5 – ch2, dc 24, sl st
You are now beginning your thumb hole. Do not join the next few rows at their end.
Row 6 – ch2, dc 23, colour change.
Row 7 – ch2, dc 23, colour change
Row 8 – ch2, dc 23
Row 9 – ch2, dc into the based of the same chain as an increase. Dc into the next 22, 2dc into the final stitch, colour change, sl st to join
Row 10 – ch2, 2x dc2tog, dc into the next 18 stitches, 2x dc2tog, colour change, sl st
Row 11 – ch2, 2x dc2tog, dc 15, 2x dc2tog, sl st
Row 12 – ch2, dc 19, colour change, sl st
Row 13 – ch2, dc 19, colour change, sl st
Row 14 – ch2, dc 19, sl st
Row 15 – ch2, dc 19, sl st

Finally to finish off, sew the ends into the body of your hand warmer, using a yarn needle. Keep it to other areas that were worked in the blue colour, so that the sewing doesn’t show through the pattern.

Warm Cuffed Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

This crochet fingerless gloves pattern is similar to the one above, with reversed colours and a very different style to the cuff.

You will need:

5mm crochet hook
50g dk blue wool, 50g dk purple (I used Women’s Institute acrylic yarn)
Scissors
Yarn needle

Begin with the purple coloured yarn.

Row 1 – ch25, sl st to join
Row 2 – ch2, dc into the next 24 stitches, sl st
Row 3 – ch2, dc 24, colour change, sl st
Row 4 – ch2, dc 24, colour change, sl st
Row 5 – ch2, dc 24, sl st
You are now beginning your thumb hole. Do not join the next few rows at their end.
Row 6 – ch2, dc 23, colour change.
Row 7 – ch2, dc 23, colour change
Row 8 – ch2, dc 23
Row 9 – ch2, dc into the based of the same chain as an increase. Dc into the next 22, 2dc into the final stitch, colour change, sl st to join
Row 10 – ch2, 2x dc2tog, dc into the next 18 stitches, 2x dc2tog, colour change, sl st
Row 11 – ch2, 2x dc2tog, dc 15, 2x dc2tog, sl st
Row 12 – ch2, dc 19, colour change, sl st to join.

You will now need to begin a separate piece, which we will incorporate as a cuff when completed.

Row 1 – ch9, sl st
Row 2 – ch2, dc into next 8 stitches.
Row 3 – ch2, dc into next 8 stitches.
Remember to use the end of the previous chain as the final stitch or your rows will gradually decrease.
Row 4 to 15 – ch2, dc into the next 8 stitches.
Row 16 – join the cuff into a circle by dc-ing each stitch together

Row 13/16 – Combining the cuff and glove. Dc on the inside of the cuff and glove around from row 12, once into each stitch and through the cuff’s edge.

Make sure to leave long tails when each part is complete, to securely sew it into the pattern.

Puff Stitch Cuffed Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

The final pattern we are going to look at today is my personal favourite. Wear these fingerless gloves with longer sleeves.

They have a defined puff stitch cuff, put on a shorter length so that it caps the divide between your glove and your jumper or coat. The thick stitch keeps this normally exposed area from catching a chill, as well as providing some definition and styling.

You will need:

5mm crochet hook
50g grey wool blend aran yarn (I used Patons)
50g pink dk yarn
Scissors
Yarn needle

Row 1 – chain 27, sl st
Row 2 – ch2, dc into the next 26, colour change, sl st
Row 3 – ch2, dc 26, sl st
Row 4 – ch2, dc 26, colour change, sl st
Row 5 – ch2, dc 26, sl st
Row 6 – ch2, dc 26, colour change
Row 7 – ch2, dc 26
Row 8 – ch2, dc 26, colour change
Row 9 – ch2 & dc, 25 dc, 2dc, sl st
Row 10 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog, dc 20, 2 x dc2tog, colour change, sl st
Row 11 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog, dc 16, 2 x dc2tog
Row 12 – ch2, 2 x dc2tog, dc 17, colour change, sl st

We are now going to make the cuff using puff stitches

Row 13 – ch2, puff stitch, ch 2, sl st into the next stitch, *ch2 from the sl st, puff stitch into the next st, ch2 from the puff stitch, sl st into the next st. Repeat from * until rows end.