Velvet Noir Opera Gloves Free Knitting Pattern – Luxe Cable & Lace Fingerless Mitts

Wrap your hands in old-Hollywood glamour with these richly textured fingerless gloves. Featuring a dramatic cable panel running vertically along the back of the hand and a delicate lace edging at the fingertips, this pattern transitions seamlessly from cozy coffee dates to evening soirées. Knitted in a deep midnight plum, the Velvet Noir gloves evoke vintage sophistication while remaining practical and stylish. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a quick luxury project or a confident beginner ready to tackle cables, this pattern delivers stunning, dimensional results.

The combination of a smooth stockinette background with a high-relief cable panel creates a tactile, plush fabric that feels as indulgent as it looks. The ribbed thumb and cuff ensure a snug, comfortable fit, while the lace edge adds an elegant, feminine touch. Displayed flat on dark velvet with moody lighting, these gloves are a statement piece—perfect for gifting or treating yourself.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All materials are readily available at your local yarn shop or online.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in deep plum (approx. 200g / 350m). Recommended: Cascade 220 or Malabrigo Rios for excellent stitch definition and softness.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) knitting needles—straight or circular for magic loop method. You'll also need a cable needle.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 4), stitch holder or waste yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, measuring tape.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking). Always check your gauge to ensure proper fit.

Pattern Overview & Sizing

Size: Women's Medium (7.5 in hand circumference, 8 in length). To adjust size, add or subtract stitches in multiples of 4—this maintains the cable and lace pattern integrity.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease)
• YO = yarn over
• C4F = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• BO = bind off
• M1L = make one left (pick up bar between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
• M1R = make one right (pick up bar between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)

Special Stitch Patterns

These two stitch patterns form the heart of the design. Practice them on a swatch if you're new to cables or lace.

Cable Panel (worked over 8 stitches)

• Row 1 (RS): P2, C4F, P2.
• Row 2 and all even rows (WS): P2, K4, P2.
• Row 3: P2, K4, P2.
• Row 5: P2, C4B, P2.
• Row 7: P2, K4, P2.
• Row 8: Repeat row 2.
• Repeat rows 1-8 for the duration of the pattern.

Lace Edge (worked over 4 stitches)

• Row 1 (RS): K2tog, YO, K2.
• Row 2 (WS): P4.
• Row 3: YO, K2tog, K2.
• Row 4: P4.
• Repeat rows 1-4 for the lace edging.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these instructions carefully. The pattern is written for the right glove first, then the left glove with mirrored thumb placement. Take your time with the cable rows—they're easier than they look!

Right Glove

Step 1: Cast On & Ribbing

CO 40 stitches. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches (approximately 12 rows). This creates a snug, stretchy cuff that will keep the glove in place.

Step 2: Set-Up Row

Next row (right side): K10, PM, work Cable Panel over the next 8 stitches, PM, K22. (Total 40 stitches). You now have the cable panel centered on the back of the hand, with 10 stitches on one side and 22 on the other.

Step 3: Work Even

Continue in pattern: Knit all stitches between markers (the stockinette sections), work the Cable Panel over the 8 stitches between markers. Work even until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This forms the main body of the glove up to the thumb.

Step 4: Thumb Gusset Increases

The thumb gusset is created by increasing stitches on each side of a 2-stitch center. Follow these rows carefully:

• Row 1 (RS): K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K2, M1R, K2. (42 stitches)
• Row 2 and all even rows (WS): Work even in pattern—knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, and work the cable panel as established. The gusset stitches are knit on RS and purled on WS.
• Row 3: K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K4, M1R, K2. (44 stitches)
• Row 5: K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K6, M1R, K2. (46 stitches)
• Row 7: K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K8, M1R, K2. (48 stitches)
• Row 9: K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K10, M1R, K2. (50 stitches)
• Row 11: K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, M1L, K12, M1R, K2. (52 stitches)

After Row 11, you have 16 gusset stitches between the increases (the original K2 plus 14 increased stitches).

Step 5: Separate Thumb

Next row (wrong side): Work in pattern to the last 16 stitches (these are the thumb gusset stitches). Place these 16 stitches on a stitch holder or waste yarn. Continue working the remaining 36 stitches in pattern for the hand. Work even until the piece measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.

Step 6: Lace Edging

Next row (right side): K10, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K18, then work Lace Edge over the last 4 stitches (K2tog, YO, K2). Continue in pattern, working the lace edge on the last 4 stitches of every right-side row, and purling those 4 stitches on wrong-side rows. Work for 1 inch (approximately 6 rows). The lace edge adds a delicate, airy finish to the top of the glove.

Step 7: Bind Off

Loosely bind off all stitches in pattern—knit the knits, purl the purls, and for the lace edge, bind off as they appear. A loose bind-off ensures the edge remains stretchy and comfortable.

Step 8: Thumb

Transfer the 16 thumb stitches from the holder to your needles. Pick up and knit 2 stitches from the gap at the base of the thumb. (18 stitches total). Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in rib. This creates a neat, stretchy thumb opening.

Left Glove

Work the same as the right glove, but mirror the thumb gusset placement. This ensures the thumbs are on the correct sides for each hand.

Step 1: Cast On & Ribbing

CO 40 stitches. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches (approximately 12 rows).

Step 2: Set-Up Row

Next row (right side): K22, PM, work Cable Panel over the next 8 stitches, PM, K10. (Total 40 stitches). The cable panel is now positioned with 22 stitches on one side and 10 on the other—mirrored from the right glove.

Step 3: Work Even

Continue in pattern as for the right glove until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.

Step 4: Thumb Gusset Increases (Mirrored)

For the left glove, the gusset increases are worked at the beginning of the row instead of the end:

• Row 1 (RS): K2, M1L, K2, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (42 stitches)
• Row 2 and all even rows: Work even in pattern.
• Row 3: K2, M1L, K4, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (44 stitches)
• Row 5: K2, M1L, K6, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (46 stitches)
• Row 7: K2, M1L, K8, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (48 stitches)
• Row 9: K2, M1L, K10, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (50 stitches)
• Row 11: K2, M1L, K12, M1R, K18, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. (52 stitches)

Step 5: Separate Thumb

Next row (wrong side): Work in pattern to the last 16 stitches (the thumb gusset stitches). Place these 16 stitches on a holder. Continue working the remaining 36 stitches in pattern until the piece measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.

Step 6: Lace Edging

Next row (right side): K2, work Lace Edge over the next 4 stitches (K2tog, YO, K2), K16, SM, work Cable Panel, SM, K10. Continue in pattern, working the lace edge on the first 4 stitches of every right-side row, and purling those 4 stitches on wrong-side rows. Work for 1 inch (approximately 6 rows).

Step 7: Bind Off

Loosely bind off all stitches in pattern as for the right glove.

Step 8: Thumb

Transfer the 16 thumb stitches from the holder to your needles. Pick up and knit 2 stitches from the gap at the base of the thumb. (18 stitches total). Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in rib.

Finishing Touches

Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle, being careful to secure them discreetly within the fabric. Block the gloves gently to shape, focusing on the cable panel and lace edge. Lay them flat to dry, gently stretching the cable panel to open up the stitches and the lace edge to define the points. Once dry, your Velvet Noir Opera Gloves are ready to wear—or to gift to someone special.

These gloves are a joy to knit and an even greater joy to wear. The deep plum color and luxurious texture make them a standout accessory for any occasion. Happy knitting!