There are fewer things that feel as amazing as knitted gloves. On a dark and chilly night, they can be the very companion to take a walk or drive with you. Handknit gloves are even better since they usually have an added charm. Made with the right yarn, they can be beautiful, compelling, classy and downright gorgeous.
You can make them for yourself and admire them when you wear them, or make them as a gift and guarantee you will be remembered lovingly every time their recipient gazes down at their own hands.
The fact is, there are many different things to consider when choosing yarn for knitting gloves. Whether you or a novice or an expert, it is always an advantage to work with yarn which is easy to use.
Moreover, since the purpose of winter gloves is to retain heat, if that is what you want to make then you want a yarn that fulfills this and keeps you warm.
Your hands are also used a lot and come into contact with various surfaces. You may need to lock your door or open your car with your gloves on or even hold a cup of coffee. To this end, your gloves need to be durable and also not pill easily and effectively fall apart.
The question of the best yarn may ultimately depend on whether you are looking to make gloves for a chilly spring day or gloves for a cold winter’s night. Yarn made from cotton, bamboo or sport yarn can be ideal for a bit of fashion on mild days, while worsted wool may be the best option for low temperatures of winter.
Following are some factors to consider when choosing the best yarn for knitting gloves, followed by some important FAQs and a review of some popular yarns for knitting gloves.
Shopping for Best Yarns for Knitting Gloves: Factors to Consider
1. Yarn material
There are many options to choose from when it comes to yarn. From wool to cotton, synthetic fibers and also multiple blends such as wool and nylon. For gloves, you want yarn which is soft and yet also strong. Durability and longevity are also important since you want to get a decent amount of wear out of them.
2. Soft on hands
Some wool yarn can be very warm which is ideal for gloves, however, it can also be scratchy. It is important to choose yarn that is soft and gentle on the hands so you can reap the fruits of your labor by wearing them.
3. Elasticity
Elasticity can bring a degree of comfort to any clothing. This is especially true of snug garments like gloves. They usually come in a free size and stretch a little to fit and so choosing a yarn with elasticity will give your knitted gloves a free size feel.
4. Colors
Yarn comes in a whole spectrum of colors and blends. For gloves, you probably want colors that match the majority of your outfits. To this end, dark colors, and of course black can be ideal colors for gloves.
On the other hand, a little color never did any harm, and you could simply knit gloves designed to draw attention and impress. If you’re on a roll with knitting, you could even knit yourself a variety of summer mitts and winter gloves in every color of the rainbow.
5. Design
Many of us like to use our smartphones and other devices while out and about. Having to pull off your gloves can be annoying for this. You could simply knit fingerless mitts to get around this.
Having a little ponder over your habits will help you decide on the best design for you. If you are not likely to use your phone or devices and are more interested in simply keeping warm then full fingered gloves are probably your best bet.
FAQs
1. Why should I knit my own gloves
Many people knit because they love to. Knitting something with purpose can bring about a great degree of satisfaction. Knitting gloves is in fact a great way to practice a new pattern and explore with different types of yarn.
3. Which yarn materials are best for gloves
This might depend on whether you are looking to make gloves for a chilly spring day or gloves for a cold winter’s night. Yarn made from cotton, bamboo or sport yarn can be ideal for the former, while worsted wool may be the best option for the latter.
3. Can knitted gloves keep your hands warm
There is very little that is warmer than worsted wool to keep your hands warm. While gloves can be made of many materials such as fleece and leather, high quality knitted gloves are in their own league in terms of comfort and longevity.
4. Which colors are best gloves
Colors are largely subjective and you may want to consider your wardrobe and fashion sense. Moreover, if you enjoy knitting your gloves, there is little reason not to knit yourself a variety of colors to go with differing outfits. Other things to consider are how easily you can keep them clean. Dark colors may be more suited to someone who spends a lot of time lifting or carrying with their gloves on.
5 Best Yarns for Knitting Gloves
| Rank | Product | Yarn Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight Yarn | Wool |
| 2. | Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn | Wool |
| 3. | Baby Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn - JubileeYarn | Bamboo cotton |
| 4. | Red Heart Heart and Sole E840 Yarn | Wool and nylon |
| 5. | Cascade Superwash DK Yarn | Wool |
1. Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight Yarn
This is a bargain pick. High-quality worsted weight yarn which comes in 10 balls. It is sturdy and durable which will give you lasting gloves. The warm wool makes it the ideal yarn for winter gloves too.
The smooth and soft yarn will feel luxurious on your hands. It is ideal for cable stitch patterns and also for textured stitches. For knitting, size 6-9 needles are probably best.
The color is also unisex and will match most wardrobes. With it being wool, it needs to be hand washed and dried flat which may be a little inconvenient.
Key Features
- Warm wool
- High quality
- Soft and smooth
2. Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn
This is a well-loved brand of wool which is bulky and perfect for warm winter gloves. It is easy to work with and has an impressive stitch definition. The soft and warm yarn will make dreamy gloves to keep your hands warm. The wool needs a little extra attention with hand washing and drying flat.
Key Features
- Warm wool
- High quality
- Soft and warm
3. Baby Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn – JubileeYarn
This beautiful brown bamboo yarn is perfect for knitting summer lace mitts. The combination of cotton and bamboo makes a breathable, super soft material which will feel like a dream on your hands.
The brown is neutral and will match most outfits. The yarn is quite thin and delicate, however, and will require a small size 2 needle.
Key Features
- Soft yarn
- Neutral color
- Great for summer mitts
4. Red Heart Heart and Sole E840 Yarn
This fun and attractive yarn is recommended for knitting socks, which also makes it the perfect yarn for warm and durable gloves.
Made from 73% wool and 27% nylon, it is the perfect blend of softness and strength.
It is quite thin however and will require size 2 needles. A great advantage compared to 100 percent wool yarn is that this can be thrown in the washing machine with ease.
Key Features
- Beautiful colors
- Strong and durable
- Soft
- Machine washable
5. Cascade Superwash DK Yarn
This gorgeous yarn from Cascade is 100% wool. It is ideal for warm winter gloves with a bit of spring and elasticity. The color is neutral and appropriate to not only wear yourself with a variety of outfits but can be ideal as a gift for anyone.
It is machine washable which is convenient. The retailer points out that the yarn may be a little off color to the picture since color can be subjective. This may be problematic for people expecting exact colors.
Key Features
- Warm wool
- Soft with elasticity
- Machine washable
Conclusion
Knitting gloves can be fun, not only for yourself but also as gifts for your family, friends and loved ones. Knitted gloves are often looked at as an expression of love due to the work that goes into them, and people are very often delighted to receive them.
When wanting to embark on a knitting journey, it can, in fact, be a little daunting to select the right yarn. After all, you don’t want to spend time knitting gloves that fall apart at the first wear.
In addition, you need to consider factors such as softness, colors, as well as patterns and design. The best yarn is arguably blends of natural fibers such as wool with materials like nylon which offer everything that you want in a warm pair of durable gloves.
Up Next: Best Yarns For Knitting Mittens
