How to Make Fingerless Gloves

Co-authored by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: December 4, 2023

Fingerless gloves are trendy and cool. They can keep your hand warm while leaving your fingers free. Best of all, they are easy to make! You can make them from scratch by sewing or knitting. You can also alter an existing pair of gloves or even a pair of socks! Whichever method you choose, you are bound to end up with a trendy, new accessory!

Things You Should Know

Put on a pair of gloves and mark where you want the fingers to end. Cut the fingers about ¼ inch (0.64 cm) above your cutting line.
Use a needle and thread to hem the fingers with a loose running stitch. This prevents the fabric from fraying.
Put on the glove to check the fit and adjust if necessary. Make identical marks on your other glove and repeat the process.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making Fingerless Gloves from Regular Gloves

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1
Find a pair of gloves. They can be old or brand new, just as long as you're willing to re-purpose them. Old ones that have holes around the fingertips are great for this project, as they'll get a new lease on life.
- Gloves made from cotton, wool, angora, lambswool, cashmere are all great choices.
In most cases, you will want to cut them right at the first knuckle. Use a tailor's chalk (for dark gloves) or pen (light colors) to draw a line across your fingers.

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3
Take the gloves off and cut ¼-inch (0.64-centimeters) above your cutting line. You will be hemming your gloves so that they don't fray. Once you hem them, they will be the right length.
- Measure your other glove against the one you just cut, and cut that one too. This way, they will be even.
You can cut the entire thumb off, or you can cut it off at the middle. If you want to be more precise, pull the glove on, and draw a cutting line as you did with the fingers.
5
Hem the cut edges. Working one finger at a time, fold the raw edge inward by ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter). Sew around the finger using a loose, running stitch or a hem stitch . Knot the thread, then snip the excess off.
- Pull the glove on before knotting the thread. This way, your finger will stretch and loosen the hem so that it fits.
- You can use a matching thread color or a contrasting one.
Make any adjustments, if necessary. Once you are happy with the fit, repeat the process for the other glove.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making Fingerless Gloves from Socks

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The best type of sock to work with a knee socks. Choose something with an interesting pattern that would work well for a pai of fingerless gloves, such as stripes.
This includes the heel and toes. Simply cut in a straight line just above the heel part, where the straight part of the sock begins. Discard the foot part, or save it for another project. ^{[1]
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3
Measure the sock against your hand. Place your palm and arm on top of the sock. Align the original hem with the top of your knuckles. ^{[2]
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Research source} The cut hem should end somewhere along your arm. Make a mark where your thumb is. If you want the gloves to be shorter, make a mark there as well.
- For most people, the thumb hole will be about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) down from the original hem. ^{[3]
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4
Cut a small, vertical slit for the thumb hole. Find where you made the thumb mark. Pinch the fabric in half horizontally, and cut a small, vertical slit. Something around ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) would be ideal. ^{[4]
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- Don't worry if the thumb hole looks too small. It will stretch. Remember, you can always cut it bigger.
- If you want shorter gloves, cut ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) above the mark that you made.
Slip your arm into the sock and poke your thumb out through the thumb hole. At this point, you can widen the thumb hole. You can also cut it into more of an oval shape.
6
Hem the cut edge of the glove. Take the glove off. Fold the cut edge inward by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Secure it with pins, then sew it down using a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch. You can also sew it by hand using a running stitch.
- You can use a matching thread color or a contrasting one.
- This step is not absolutely necessary, but it will give your glove a nicer touch.
7
Consider hemming the thumb hole. This is not absolutely necessary, since sock material does not fray that much, but it could give your glove a nicer finish. Fold the raw edge inward by about ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter). Sew it by hand using a running stitch.
- You can use a matching thread color or a contrasting one.
Remember to try the glove on your other hand when making it. This ensures that the designs are mirrored perfectly.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Sewing Fingerless Gloves

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1
Make the pattern. Trace around your palm, wrist, and arm on a sheet of paper. Start tracing at the top of your knuckles, and finish anywhere you want on the arm. Lift away your arm. Connect the gap at the top of your tracing with a straight line. Connect the gap where your thumb is with a curved line. ^{[5]
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- Make sure that the thumb line curves into the tracing.
- Leave some space around your arm, especially if the fabric you'll be using is not stretchy.
Be sure to leave a ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) gap allowance all around the pattern. This will give you enough fabric for a ¼ to ½-inch (0.64 to 1.27-centimeter) seam allowance. ^{[6]
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3
Trace the pattern onto your fabric. Stack two layers of fabric, right sides together, then pin the pattern on top. Trace around the pattern. Flip the pattern over, re-pin it, and trace around it for the other glove. ^{[7]
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- You can use any type of fabric you want. Fleece and t-shirt material are great choices because they don't fray.
Try to cut through both layers of fabric for each glove. This way, your pieces will be even. You do not need to add seam allowances because you already added them for your original pattern. ^{[8]
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5
Sew the pieces together. Pin the pieces together first. Sew up the left and right sides using a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) seam allowance. If your fabric is stretchy, or if you want tighter gloves, sew using a ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance instead. Do not sew across the top or bottom edges or the thumb hole. ^{[9]
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- If you are sewing fleece or t-shirt material, use a stretchy stitch or a zigzag stitch.
6
Hem the top and bottom edges. Fold both of the top and bottom edges down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Pin them in place, then sew the hems down. ^{[10]
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Research source} You can use a matching thread color or a contrasting thread color.
- If you are using fleece or t-shirt fabric, you can skip this step. If you choose to hem them, use a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch.
7
Hem the thumb holes by hand. Fold the edges of the thumb hole down by about ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter). Sew it down by hand using a running stitch. You can use a matching thread color or a contrasting one.
- If you are using fleece or t-shirt fabric, you can skip this step.
They are now ready to wear!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Knitting Fingerless Gloves

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1
Cast on 40 stitches using number 8 knitting needles and number 4 yarn. This will be the length of your gloves. If you want shorter gloves, cast on fewer stitches. If you want longer gloves, cast on more stitches. Be sure to leave a long tail. ^{[11]
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- Number 4 yarn is also known as worsted weight yarn.
- You can use a different type of yarn, but you will need to get matching knitting needles.
2
Knit every row until the gloves are wide enough to wrap around your palm. In most cases, this will be about 48 rows. Make sure that you knit every row. This will give you a stretchy, purl pattern on both sides of your work. Do not alternate between knit and purl, or your glove won't stretch right. ^{[12]
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- Alternatively, you can work in seed stitch. This will give you material that stretches both ways.
Once the gloves are wide enough to wrap around your palm, cast off your stitches. Cut the yarn leaving behind a long tail. Feed the tail through the last loop/stitch, then gently tug on it to tighten the knot. Do not cut it off. ^{[13]
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Bring the cast on and cast off edges together. This is your side seam. Place your arm on top of the glove, and align your knuckles with one of the top, narrow edges. Note where the top and bottom of your thumb is.
Thread the long tail onto a yarn needle. Sew the side seam down using a whip stitch until you reach the top of your thumb joint. For most people, this will be about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters). ^{[14]
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Once the top part of your glove is long enough to your liking, tie the tail off, then weave the tail back up the seam towards the top edge. Snip off the excess yarn. ^{[15]
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Thread the long cast on tail though your yarn needle. Sew up the bottom edge of the side seam using a whip stitch. Stop when you reach the base of your thumb. You will be left with a gap in your side seam, which is the thumb hole. ^{[16]
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As before, tie the end of the tail off, then weave it back down the seam. You don't have to weave it all the way back down--a couple of inches/centimeters will be plenty. Snip the excess yarn off.
This pattern is completely reversible, so you can use the exact same method for both gloves. You do not need to turn these gloves inside out either, as they will be the same on both sides.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I use leather to make the gloves?

Community Answer

You can use any material you would like; I would suggest not cutting apart leather gloves, but making them from scratch would not be a problem. If you do not have a sewing machine it might be a bit more difficult, and you could accidentally bend your needle. In that case, go to your nearest community center, library, or sewing club and you could possibly find a sewing machine there that you could use.

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Question

Can I make them from long-sleeve shirt sleeves?

Beth H.

Community Answer

You can, but it takes an extra step to make it stay around your wrist. You would need to attach elastic to the wrist area.

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What if I want to but I am not allowed to turn my gloves fingerless?

DawnRamen

Community Answer

If you want to but you aren't allowed, make them and then say a friend made them. You can even borrow one of your friend's gloves or socks.

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Tips

If you use regular "magic" gloves from the store, remember to make a hem on the ends or they risk unraveling. The easiest way to do this is to carefully singe the tips with a match or lighter so that the plastic fibers will melt and seal together.

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You may opt to add rhinestones, beads, old jewelry or other decorations to your gloves.

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You can also make fingerless gloves using a long-sleeved shirt or a sweater. Use the sock method.

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Warnings

Always take care when working with scissors and needles. Put all sharp items away when you've finished using them.

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Be very careful if singing Magic gloves. Do so in a ventilated area, and away from anything flammable. Also, allow the melted fibers to cool off before you try them on.

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