Monica Knits

In the previous step, the fingers were knitted and completed. This optional step is for the long glove, which measures 9-1/2" from the wrist to the bind off row. Arm knitting begins from the provisional cast on that was located 4" up the arm from the wrist. In this step, progressively larger diameter needles were used, rather than increasing the number of stitches in the rounds. There are a number of advantages to this approach, the first one being that as the needles size is increased, the knitting becomes faster. Read more... for additional advantages and detailed instructions

Advantages

1. With progressively larger diameter needles, fewer numbers of rounds and stitches are required for a given distance. So the last 4" of arm length was knitted faster than the first 4" of cuff length, for the same stitch pattern.
2. This approach conserves yarn, which was important since I had a fixed amount of the mohair yarn, and was getting near the end of the skein. Since the mohair is furry, the changes in stitch gauge are not readily apparent--the yarn fills in nicely.
3. By maintaining a contant number of stitches, colorwork or stitch patterns do not have to change (complexity minimized).
4. Gracefulness and a lighter weight design are possible.
5. Since this was a tapered glove, custom fitted, I was able to knit until my arm dictated that a larger diameter knitting needle was required. Had I used stitch increases, I would have had to measure my arm more accurately and calculate both the increases and locations of the increases along the length. The multiple needle, holistic approach did not require such detailed advance planning. This master or basic glove can now be measured directly to calculate where increases would be required, were I to knit another long glove with a yarn that is not ameniable to the multiple needle approach. The stitch markers in the photograph were placed each time I increased needle size. This allowed me to later measure and document where the increases occurred.
6. Novelty or fun factor. I've always wanted to try this!

Circular Needles Used

1. Two 2-3/4 mm diameter circular needles, 24" long.
2. Two 3.0 mm diameter circular needles, 24" long.
3. Two 4.0 mm diameter circular needles, 24" long.
4. Two 5.0 mm diameter circular needles, 24" long.

Arm Instructions
The glove length (arm), measured from the wrist towards the elbow is 9-1/2".

1. Pick up the provisional stitches and transfer them to two 2-3/4 mm circular needles. Use the yarn tail of the provisional cast-on as the start for needle #1. There are two links below which illustrate stitches being picked up from a chain stitch provisional cast on.
2. Knit even in stocking stitch for 1-1/4".
3. Switch to 3.0 mm circular needles and knit even in stocking stitch for 1-1/4".
4. Switch to 4.0 mm circular needles and knit even in stocking stitch for 1-1/4".
5. Switch to 5.0 mm circular needles and knit even in stocking stitch for 1-1/2".

Next Step
Picot stitch bind off and finishing. Click here to read the article: Picot Bind Off - Long Mohair Glove.

Related Posts
Basic Glove
Basic Toe Up Sock - Short Rows Toe (photo showing provisional stitch pick up)
Rectangular Toe - Basic Toe Up Sock (stepwise illustrations for picking up provisional stitches)