Lace of Devotion Wedding Gloves Free Knitting Pattern – Heirloom Fingerless Bridal Mitts

Lace of Devotion Wedding Gloves: A Heirloom Bridal Knitting Pattern

There is something profoundly special about creating a piece of your wedding attire with your own hands. These heirloom-quality fingerless bridal gloves, knitted in a delicate shell-and-eyelet lace, are designed to become a cherished keepsake long after the last dance. The pattern mimics the look of vintage lacework, offering a romantic and timeless aesthetic that pairs beautifully with both classic and rustic wedding themes. Beyond their beauty, these mitts are wonderfully practical—they allow you to hold your bouquet, exchange rings, and greet guests with complete grace and dexterity. Whether you are the bride, a bridesmaid, or creating a gift for a loved one, this pattern is a labor of love that yields stunning results.

This free knitting pattern is surprisingly accessible for an intermediate beginner. The lace is created with simple yarn overs and knit-two-togethers, making it a perfect introduction to lacework without the complexity of charted patterns. The result is a pair of gloves that look intricate and expensive, yet are knitted flat and seamed, making them easy to manage. Let’s get started on creating this beautiful heirloom piece.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. Using the specified yarn weight is crucial for achieving the delicate drape and correct sizing of the gloves.

• Yarn: Fingering weight yarn in ivory or white. A recommended option is Knit Picks Aloft (50g/200yds per skein). You will need 2 skeins. The soft, slightly fuzzy halo of a mohair-blend fingering yarn enhances the vintage, romantic look, but a smooth wool or silk blend will also work beautifully.
• Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) knitting needles. You can use straight needles or circular needles for flat knitting, whichever you prefer. You will also need a spare needle or stitch holder for the thumb stitches.
• Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, stitch markers (at least 2), and blocking pins or mats for the finishing process.
• Gauge: 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Always knit a gauge swatch and block it before starting to ensure your gloves fit perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in two pieces (one for each glove) and then seamed. The lace pattern is created on the back of the hand, while the palm remains in simple stockinette stitch. Follow these instructions carefully, and you will have a beautiful pair of gloves in no time.

Getting Started: The Cuff

This is the foundation of your glove. The ribbed cuff provides a snug, elegant fit around the wrist.

1. Cast On: Loosely cast on 48 stitches. A long-tail cast-on is recommended for a neat, stretchy edge.
2. Ribbing: Work in a k1, p1 ribbing pattern for 2 inches. This should be approximately 14 rows. Ensure you end with a wrong-side (WS) row. This means your last row should be a purl row if you started with a knit row on the right side (RS).

The Hand and Lace Pattern

Now we will begin the main body of the glove, incorporating the delicate shell-and-eyelet lace. The pattern is a simple 8-row repeat that is easy to memorize.

1. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): K1, *yo, k2tog, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1. (This creates a row of eyelets.)
4. Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
5. Row 5 (RS): Knit all stitches.
6. Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
7. Row 7 (RS): K1, *k2tog, yo, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1. (This offsets the eyelets to create the shell-like pattern.)
8. Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
9. Repeat: Continue repeating Rows 1-8 until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row (Row 2, 4, 6, or 8).

Shaping the Thumb Gusset

This section adds extra stitches to create space for your thumb. The increases are worked on either side of a single stitch, which is marked.

1. Setup Row (RS): Knit 24 stitches, place a marker (pm), M1 (make one), k1, M1, pm, knit to the end of the row. You should now have 50 stitches on your needle.
2. Work Even: Work 3 rows even. This means knit the RS rows and purl the WS rows, without any increases.
3. Increase Row (RS): Knit to the first marker, slip marker (sm), M1, knit to the next marker, M1, sm, knit to the end of the row. You now have 52 stitches.
4. Repeat: Repeat these last 4 rows (3 rows even, 1 increase row) until you have 13 stitches between the two markers. Your total stitch count will be 60 stitches.
5. Work Even: Work even in stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) until the piece measures 6 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Separating the Thumb

Now we will place the thumb stitches on a holder and continue knitting the hand portion.

1. Next Row (RS): Knit to the first marker, remove the marker, place the next 13 stitches onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn, remove the second marker, and knit to the end of the row. You will have 47 stitches remaining on your needle for the hand.
2. Work Even: Continue in stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.

Creating the Finger Openings

This eyelet row creates a decorative scalloped edge at the knuckles, leaving your fingers free.

1. Eyelet Row (RS): K1, *yo, k2tog, k1; repeat from * to the end of the row.
2. Finish: Work 4 rows of stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).
3. Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely. A stretchy bind-off, such as the knit-two-together bind-off, is recommended to ensure the edge is not too tight.

Knitting the Thumb

Now we will complete the thumb portion of the glove.

1. Transfer Stitches: Transfer the 13 stitches from the holder onto your knitting needle.
2. Pick Up Stitches: With the RS facing, pick up and knit 2 stitches from the hand edge at the base of the thumb. You will now have 15 stitches on your needle.
3. Work Even: Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) for 1 inch.
4. Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely.

Finishing and Assembly

The final steps will transform your knitted pieces into a beautiful, finished glove.

1. Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to carefully weave in all loose yarn ends on the WS of the work.
2. Seam the Glove: Fold the glove in half with the right sides (RS) together. Using the mattress stitch or a whip stitch, sew the side seam from the cuff up to the finger openings. Important: Leave the thumb hole open. This means you will sew from the bottom of the cuff up to the base of the thumb, and then from the top of the thumb gusset up to the finger openings.
3. Turn Right Side Out: Carefully turn the glove RS out, using a blunt needle to gently push out the thumb.
4. Blocking: This is a crucial step for lace. Soak the gloves in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for 15-20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Roll in a towel to remove more moisture. Lay flat on a blocking mat, gently stretching the gloves to the correct measurements and opening up the lace eyelets. Pin in place and allow to dry completely.
5. Repeat: Repeat the entire process to create the second glove.

Once your gloves are complete and blocked, they will be soft, elegant, and ready to grace the hands of a bride on her special day. The delicate lace pattern and the personal touch of a handmade item make these gloves a true heirloom to be treasured for generations. Happy knitting!