What you're making and what you'll need
A fingerless glove is a tube of fabric that covers your wrist and the back of your hand, with openings for your fingers and thumb. You can sew one in an afternoon using a sewing machine or by hand, and the finished glove takes about 30 minutes to wear in before it fits comfortably.
You will need fabric (fleece, jersey knit, or cotton work best for beginners), thread that matches your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, a measuring tape, and pins. If you're sewing by hand, use a needle sized for your fabric weight—a size 8 or 9 works for most materials. If you're using a machine, a universal needle in size 80/12 handles most fabrics without adjustment.
The pattern is straightforward enough that you don't need to buy one. You're essentially sewing a rectangle into a tube, then cutting holes for your fingers and thumb. Most fingerless gloves use between half a yard and three-quarters of a yard of fabric, depending on how many you're making and the width of your material.
Key Takeaways
- Measure around your hand at the knuckles and from your wrist to just below your fingers to get the dimensions for your rectangle of fabric.
- Sew the two short ends of your rectangle together to form a tube, using a straight stitch and leaving a half-inch seam allowance.
- Mark the positions of your finger and thumb holes by trying the glove on, then cut them out carefully with sharp scissors.
- Finish the raw edges around the finger holes and the cuff with a zigzag stitch or by hand-sewing a whip stitch to prevent fraying.
- Try the glove on and adjust the fit by taking in or letting out the seams before you finish the edges.
Taking measurements and cutting your fabric
Measure around your hand at the knuckles (the widest part when your hand is flat and relaxed). Write this number down—this is your circumference. Then measure from your wrist to just below your fingertips. This is your length. Add half an inch to the circumference for seam allowance and half an inch to the length as well.
Cut a rectangle of fabric using these adjusted measurements. If you're making a pair, cut two rectangles. Lay the fabric flat on a clean surface, use a ruler or measuring tape to mark the corners with a pencil or fabric chalk, and cut along the lines with sharp scissors. Dull scissors will pull the fabric and make your edges ragged, so take the time to use good ones.
If your fabric has a right side and a wrong side (most do), lay the rectangles with the right sides facing each other. This is the position you'll sew from.
Sewing the tube seam by machine
Place your two fabric rectangles with right sides together and pin along one of the short ends. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 millimeters. Sew along the pinned edge, keeping the needle half an inch from the edge of the fabric. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread.
Remove the pins and turn the tube right-side out through the open end. The seam you just sewed should now be on the inside. Press the seam flat with an iron on a low setting if your fabric allows it (check the care label first). This makes the next steps easier and gives the glove a neater appearance.
Try the glove on to check the fit. It should be snug but not tight, and the seam should run down the inside of your hand. If it's too loose, you can take in the seam by sewing a new line a quarter-inch closer to the edge and trimming the old seam. If it's too tight, let it out by unpicking the seam and sewing a new one a quarter-inch farther from the edge.
Sewing the tube seam by hand
If you're sewing by hand, pin the two rectangles with right sides together along one short end. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Starting at one corner, push the needle through both layers of fabric half an inch from the edge. Use a running stitch, pushing the needle in and out of the fabric in small, even stitches about an eighth of an inch apart.
Work your way along the entire short edge, keeping the distance from the edge as even as you can. When you reach the other corner, tie off the thread by making two small stitches in the same spot, then trim the thread. Turn the tube right-side out and try it on to check the fit before you mark the finger holes.
Marking and cutting finger and thumb holes
Put the glove on your hand with the seam running down the inside. Using a fabric pencil or chalk, mark where your fingers and thumb naturally sit. Mark a small circle or oval for each finger hole—about three-quarters of an inch across is typical, but adjust based on your finger width. Mark the thumb hole slightly larger, about one inch across.
Take the glove off and lay it flat. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out each hole. Start by making a small slit in the center of each marked circle, then cut outward to the edge of your mark. Cut slowly and deliberately—it's easier to make a hole bigger than to make it smaller. Try the glove on again and enlarge any holes that feel too tight.
Finishing the edges to prevent fraying
The raw edges around your finger holes and the cuff of the glove will fray over time if you don't finish them. The easiest machine method is a zigzag stitch: set your machine to a zigzag pattern with a width of 2 to 3 millimeters and a length of 2 millimeters. Sew around each finger hole, keeping the needle centered on the raw edge so the stitch catches both the fabric and the empty space beyond it.
For the cuff (the open end at your wrist), fold the raw edge inward by half an inch and pin it in place. Sew along the fold with a straight stitch, or use a zigzag stitch if your machine has one that works on folded edges. This creates a finished edge that won't unravel.
If you're finishing by hand, use a whip stitch: bring the needle up through the fold of fabric, then insert it directly across into the main fabric and slide it along inside the fold for about a quarter inch before bringing it back out. This stitch is nearly invisible and very durable. Work your way around each finger hole and the cuff until all raw edges are covered.
Trying on and adjusting the fit
Put the finished glove on and wear it for a few minutes. The fabric will stretch slightly as you move your hand, and you'll get a sense of whether the fit is right. The glove should sit snugly at your wrist without cutting off circulation, and your fingers should move freely through the holes without the fabric bunching or pulling.
If the wrist is too loose, you can take in the seam by unpicking a few inches, sewing a new seam a quarter-inch closer to the edge, and re-finishing that section. If the finger holes are too small or too large, you can carefully cut them bigger or sew them smaller by hand using a whip stitch to close part of the hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric works best for fingerless gloves?
Fleece is the easiest for beginners because it doesn't fray much and stretches slightly for comfort. Jersey knit (the fabric used for t-shirts) is also forgiving and breathable. Cotton canvas or twill work well if you want a sturdier glove. Avoid slippery fabrics like satin or silk until you have more sewing experience.
Can I make fingerless gloves without a sewing machine?
Yes. Hand-sewing takes longer—usually an hour or more—but the process is identical. Use a running stitch for the main seam and a whip stitch for finishing the edges. Your stitches don't need to be perfect; they just need to be even and find.
How do I make the glove fit snugly without being uncomfortable?
The key is measuring accurately at the knuckles and trying the glove on before you cut the finger holes. Fabric stretches slightly when you wear it, so aim for a fit that feels snug but not tight when you first put it on. If it's still uncomfortable after wearing it for a few minutes, you can let out the seam by a quarter-inch.
What do I do if I cut a finger hole too big?
You can sew it smaller by hand using a whip stitch to close part of the opening. Start at one edge of the hole and stitch toward the center, closing as much as you need. This works best if the hole is only slightly too large.
Can I add a cuff or decoration to my fingerless glove?
Yes. You can sew a strip of contrasting fabric or ribbing around the wrist opening before you finish the edge, or add a decorative zigzag stitch in a contrasting thread color around the finger holes. Keep any additions straightforward until you're comfortable with the basic construction.