I wrote up this pattern in, oh, I don't know, May? and just now got around to putting the finishing touches on it.  The text version can be found here, a PDF is available on Ravelry.com. 

Ailbhe

by Caitlin Christine

            Thinkbabynames.com says that the girl’s name Ailbhe “is of Irish origin, and its meaning is ‘white, noble, bright,’” a very apt description of these gloves.  I had wanted a sleek fitted pair of long fingerless gloves, but without the hassle of lots of shaping between wrist and elbow, and so ribbing was the first thing that came to mind.  It’s easy to do, and the stretchiness instantly fits a variety of sizes, however, plain ribbing in and of itself is a bit boring.  But when the ribbing travels across your hand in an elegant asymmetrical sweep, it’s much more interesting. 

            These mitts also sprang from my love of one skein wonders and instant gratification – the short version used only about eighty yards of yarn and was completed in only two days, while the longer version took just over two hundred yards and was done in a week.  The only difficulty comes from the sheer number of different cable techniques used, some only once every pattern repeat, but none are complicated on their own.

            I love these gloves for the simple fact that I also love t-shirts, and I live in Fargo, where t-shirts aren’t possible for much more than the months of full summer, especially since I get cold easily.  These gloves eat up the expanse of bare arm left by t-shirts, keeping me nice and warm without retreating to the comfort of my jacket just yet.  I fear thee not, gusty North Dakota wind, with Ailbhe on my arms!

 

SIZE

Short [Long]

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Cuff Circumference (Unstretched): 6 inches

Cuff Circumference (Fully Stretched): 10 inches

Length: 6 [14] inches

 

MATERIALS

[Short] Patons Silk Bamboo [70% bamboo, 30% silk; 102 yd/93 m per 65g skein]; color: Saphire; 1 skein
[Long] Cascade 220 Wool [100% Peruvian highland wool; 220 yd/201 m per 100g skein]; color: White; 1  skein

 

1 set(s) US #6/4.0mm double-point needles (or circulars for preferred knitting in the round method)

 

Cable needle

Tapestry needle

Approx. 12 inches smooth waste yarn

 

GAUGE

22 sts/28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

 

PATTERN NOTES

1/1 RC: sl 1 to cn, hold to back, k1; k1 from cn

1/1 LC: sl 1 to cn, hold to front, k1; k1 from cn

1/1 RPC: sl 1 to cn, hold to back, k1; p1 from cn

1/1 LPC: sl 1 to cn, hold to front, p1; k1 from cn

2/1 RC: sl 1 to cn, hold to back, k2; k1 from cn

2/1 LC: sl 2 to cn, hold to front, k1; k2 from cn

2/1 RPC: sl 1 to cn, hold to back, k2; p1 from cn

2/1 LPC: sl 2 to cn, hold to front, p1; k2 from cn

2x2 rib: *k2, p2* repeat from * to end of round

 

PATTERN

Right Hand

Cast on 44 stitches, join, and work 10 rounds 2x2 rib before beginning pattern.

 

Round 1: 1/1 RPC, p1, *2/1 RPC, p1* twice, 1/1 RC, 1/1 LC, p1, 1/1 LPC, p2, k22, p2

Rounds 2, 4, 6, and 8: Work all stitches as presented, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purled stitches

Round 3: P2, *2/1 RPC, p1* twice, 2/1 RC, 2/1 LC, p4, k22, p2

Round 5: *P1, 2/1 RPC* three times, k2, 2/1 LPC, p3, k22, p2

Round 7: *2/1 RPC, p1* three times, k2, p1, 2/1 LPC, p2, k22, p2

 

Repeat rounds 1-8 3[11] times before thumb.

 

Next Round: Follow established Round 1 until last 23 stitches.  Then, using waste yarn, knit 6 stitches, replace the six stitches on the left needle, and knit again with working yarn.  Continue in pattern until end of round.

 

Work rounds 2-8 once more after thumb.

 

Knit 4 rounds 2x2 rib, bind off loosely.

 

Thumb

Carefully remove the waste yarn, picking up the live stitches that result, 6 below the opening and 5 above it.  Attach yarn, knit 6 bottom stitches, pick up 2 stitches in gap, knit 5 top stitches, and pick up 2 stitches in the gap, 15 stitches total.

 

Knit 7 rounds.  Bind off loosely.

 

 

Left Hand

Cast on 44 stitches, join, and work 10 rounds 2x2 rib before beginning pattern.

 

Round 1: 1/1 RPC, p1, 1/1 RC, 1/1 LC, p1, *2/1 LPC, p1* twice, 1/1 LPC, p2, k22, p2

Rounds 2, 4, 6, and 8: Work all stitches as presented, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purled stitches

Round 3: P2, 2/1 RC, 2/1 LC, p1, *2/1 LPC, p1* twice, p3, k22, p2

Round 5: P1, 2/1 RPC, k2, *2/1 LPC, p1* three times, p2, k22, p2

Round 7: 2/1 PRC, p1, k2, p1, *2/1 LPC, p1* three times, p1, k22, p2

 

Repeat rounds 1-8 3[11] times before thumb.

 

Next Round: Follow established Round 1 until last 9 stitches.  Then, using waste yarn, knit 6 stitches, replace the 6 stitches just knit on the left needle, and knit over them with working yarn.  Continue in pattern until end of round.

 

Work rounds 2-8 once more after thumb.

 

Knit 4 rounds 2x2 rib, bind off loosely.

 

Work thumb as for Right Hand.

 

 

FINISHING

Weave in all ends.  Block lightly if desired.  Wear with warmth and joy.