Free Crochet Pattern: Shell Lace Fingerless Gloves

By Rachel Choi – 147 Comments
These fingerless gloves are made with size 10 crochet thread for a light and elegant look and feel. The shell stitches give it a wonderful lacy look that can be worn during winter but also in the spring and the summer. Just follow the easy and simple instructions to crochet these lovely fingerless gloves.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 3” (8 cm) wide, 7” (18 cm) long

Materials:
Crochet Thread Size 10 (approximately 100 yards)
Crochet Hook US 7 (1.5 mm)
Sewing needle

Gauge: Not really important. For best fitted size, make the starting foundation chain the circumference of the wearer’s palm.

Need help understanding the abbreviations? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.

shell-lace-fingerless-glove

shell-lace-fingerless-glove

Crochet Pattern: Fingerless Glove (makes 1 glove)
Start by chaining 78 or chain that is the circumference of the wearer’s palm
Note: Starting chain must be a multiple of 6, since each shell uses 6 chains
Row 1: ch 2, sc in second ch from hook, (skip 2, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2, sc in next ch) across
Row 2 – 30: ch 2, turn, skip 3, 5 dc in next dc, (ch 1, skip 5, 5 dc in next dc) across, skip 2, dc in next st

Sew sides of glove together leaving a 2” (5 cm) hole 1” (2.5 cm) from the end.

If you need help with crocheting fingerless gloves, I would love to help! Just leave a comment!

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147 Comments

  1. Kevin says:

    Ok im an entirely new to crocheting but i get the basics… when it say chain 2 in the beggining does that mean i have to add another 2 chain to the origionat chain???

  2. Rebekah says:

    HI, I’m 13 and kinda confused. I just started row 2 and i’m confused out how I will wear it when I’m done. if I put the two sides together isn’t it really big to go around a wrist, or are the shells soposed to be side ways on my arm? please help!

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Rebekah, for best fit make the starting foundation chain the circumference of your palm. If it’s too big to go around your wrist, then feel free to make the chain smaller.

  3. Carrie says:

    Hi, I’m really interested in doing this pattern, but I’m confused on how to read it. I’ve done basic crochet scarves before, and messed around with doing circular patterns, but I’ve never actually read a pattern. Could you explain it?

  4. Kit says:

    Hi Rachel. How can you chain 78 then chain 2 for row 1? Does that mean chain whatever the circumference of the wearer’s palm is then chain 2?

  5. Debbie says:

    Hi Rachel,
    I am usuing Luster sheen knit and crochet yarn, 2oz acrylic fiber. And I am using a size 6 crochet hook. the problem i am having is after i get to the 3rd row the shells seem to start to fan out and look more ruffled instead of straight rows. what am i doing wrong? i am adding a chain inbetween the 5dbc. I love your pattern and it is not working out 🙁

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Debbie, ruffling is typical due to either to an increase in the number of stitches on the rows or a difference in tension on the rows. If you count the stitches on each row, they should be the same, and if they are the same then the pieces should lay flat. If they aren’t the same, try determining where more stitches are being added. As for tension, starting the beginning chain too tight is very common. Try making the beginning chain looser, you can even use a slightly larger hook to make the chain.

  6. Kym says:

    great pattern, works beautifully with sock yarn

  7. Cherie says:

    Rachel,
    I just wanted to thank you for this! I made a pair in just a few hours and they are soooooo cute! My granddaughter loves them! Now my other granddaughters and daughters want some, too! But I will also have at least one pair…mine will be with alpaca fiber. Thanks again for the easy and fun pattern!
    Cherie (in Vegas)

  8. Joy says:

    Nice touch with small yarn. I can’t wait to try these

  9. Lisa says:

    Starting these tonight. I wanna make them to go above my elbow. My arms are very weird, I have a wide palm but a skinny wrist and forearm. How do you think I can do that?

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Lisa, try measuring around your palm and compare it to the measurement around your wrist or forearm. If they are drastically different, then you can try to use a larger hook for the section you want wider and a smaller hook for the section you want tighter. If the measurements are similar, you can work the pattern as written. I wouldn’t worry about the difference too much.

  10. Joy says:

    Made these and loved them!!!!!

  11. OrangeSoda says:

    Hello Rachel! I was excited when I found out you made that pattern, because you made the pencil case one, too. I have one quick question this time; Will this work with size 3 or 4 yarn and size I hook instead of thread? Thanks!

    • Rachel says:

      Yes, you’ll most likely use less stitches though since the yarn and hook are much bigger. Be sure to measure or wrap the beginning chain around your hand to ensure that it fits properly.

  12. OrangeSoda says:

    Thanks, I did so. Is this going to be hard to sew?

  13. OrangeSoda says:

    This looks so nice with the hat I made! I made the hat and the gloves with the same colors: blue and gray.

  14. OrangeSoda says:

    In rows 2-30, when you skip 3 do you count the chain?

  15. Owl says:

    I’ve been working on a pair of these off and on in my spare time since last night and I have to say that I love them. I’ve been scouring the internet for a pattern for crocheted gloves/arm warmers that are attractive without being bulky and this is really the best I’ve found – and I mean that in the best of ways.
    It’s been a new experience working with such small thread/yarn for a change; I usually make beanies and scarves, so I’m used to thicker stuff. The challenge has been both pressing and fun, and the results have been well worth the learning experience.
    I couldn’t find a 1.5 hook when I went to the store, so I picked up a 2.25 and it’s worked just fine, albeit the stitches may be a bit looser than the pattern would call for. Still, they’ve been coming along quite nicely. The first one is finished and I’m presently working on the second. I can’t wait to get them done. They look way better than any fishnet gloves I’ve ever owned and they’ll go fantastic with half of my wardrobe.

    Thanks a ton for the pattern!

  16. Sophie says:

    Hey, I have this question bugging me. If I want to add a certain level of fingers to the gloves, how do I count for each finger?
    Thanks for considering my query. I appreciate your reply.

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Sophie, are you trying to make holes for each finger? If so, here’s a suggestion that Shelby made in a previous comment: “what I did to make finger holes was I put them on after finishing them and marked where I wanted the finger holes with coil-less safety pins. I then started making the holes by putting just a single chain between the fingers, then did rounds of v stitches up as far as I wanted the fingers to go. I hope this helps out.”

  17. Anna says:

    Approximately how much yarn does one glove require? I have 350 yards total but it’s an expensive wool and I don’t want to waste it by finishing only one and a half gloves….
    Appreciate your help!

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Anna, what weight of yard do you have? Let me know and I can help you estimate it. Overall 350 yards will probably be good enough if it is a light weight #3 or a medium weight #4 yarn.

  18. Kimchi says:

    These are beautiful. I’ve been driving myself crazy looking for a nice lace pattern like this to make for a friend of mine. These look like they will be perfect. Thank you for taking the time to put up the pattern, I truly appreciate it.

  19. Jean says:

    I wanted to make gloves from a variegated yarn BUT if I do, then both gloves will have different color patterns and not match, how do you make TWO gloves with variegated colors so they are both the same?

  20. Ruman says:

    Hey my dear friend..i really loved this pattern,i have started making it too 🙂 i am just confused with the opening of the thumb part..for example: should i do d whole thing as long as i want (it will form rectangular shape)then start sewing the ends ryt..then i m confused how to leave open the thumb part..for example: if i compltd it wit 30 rows,should i sew first 5 rows and leave 5 rows n again start joining d remaing part of the glove??i am sorry my dear for asking such a dumb question..but plz help me..thankyou very very much dear..

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Ruman, yes you are going to crochet a rectangle. After you are done you are going to sew the side together, but leaving a hole for your thumb. The number of rows you skip is completely up to you, but your example is spot on. You can sew the first few rows together, skip a few rows for your thumb, then sew the rest of the rows together.

  21. ruman says:

    Thank you so very much dear… I m glad u replied that soon..i am already done wit my so called rectangles now,just will b sewing it till tonight hopefully …thank you once again fr d pattern dear ♥ Do u have oder free patterns also on ur blog? Sorry fr asking only d FREE pattern,as i m a newbie to dis crochet world i dont feel like spending money on unknown patterns….lol

  22. Vernona says:

    Hi:
    I am trying to figure out the fingurless gloves pattern do you continue with row 2 until you have the length you want? Thanks.

  23. Vernona says:

    Thanks for your quick reply. That was the only thing I could come up with. Do I end with row one?
    Thanks

  24. Stacy says:

    Thank you so much for this pattern. I’ve been looking for a fingerless glove pattern I could follow for weeks. This is by far, the most comprehensive one around. I made a pair for my best friend and now I’m going to make a pair for myself.

  25. Damica says:

    i keep getting stuck in the beginning. You said chain the amount of the wearer hand. I have two left over in row one. What do I do with the left over chains which is a total of two? When following the pattern do I continue this Row 1: ch 2, sc in second ch from hook, (skip 2, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2, sc in next ch) across on the entire row. chain 2, sc in second ch from hook (skip 2 dc in next chain skip 2 sc in next ch over and over or continue what is in parenthesis? For row 2 do I continue the entire line or what is in parenthesis? I’m a little confused.

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Damica, in the notes it says “Starting chain must be a multiple of 6, since each shell uses 6 chains”. So be sure that your starting chain is a multiple of 6, that way there won’t be any extra chains leftover on row 1. If you have 2 extra chains, then you can redo the chain and row 1 using 2 less chains.

  26. Damica says:

    Thank you so much for your help!! My daughter will love her gloves when I finish!!!!

  27. Annie says:

    Thank you so much for this pattern! Am planning my daughter’s 5th birthday party which will be a tea party. I want to provide gloves for the guests and didn’t want to shell out tons of money buying them online. Now I can make every girl their own pair!

  28. Emily says:

    I think I’m using size 8 thread (I’m not really sure, I got it a while ago) should I be using a smaller hook with it or is it fine to be using the 7?

  29. Amanda says:

    On row 2-30 you say at the end () across, skip 2, Dc in next st but when I go to do this st it dose not look like the pic what am I doing wrong?

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Amanda, after you finish your last set of 5 dc, you’ll end the row with the last dc in the last stitch to make a straight edge. The sides will be sewn together later, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

  30. Linda W says:

    Hello Rachel, I would like to know if this pattern will fit snug around the wrist or will it remain the same size as around the palm? I wouldn’t want it to be baggy in that area. Could gradually reducing the size of the hook as you near the wrist eliminate that problem? Thanks for you help.

  31. Rose says:

    What is size 10 crochet thread…..I was looking at Michaels and cannot find anything with a size 10 written on the label?

  32. Linda Wernette says:

    Sometimes the size is mentioned on the end of the spool rather then on the label that wraps around the crochet thread. When you go to the store, ask someone who works there for help finding size ten thread. I made these and the first one fit nice. The second one was a lot more loose! I guess I’ll have to make a pair just like that so then I’ll have a bigger pair and a just right pair!

  33. Mel says:

    Hi Rachel,

    I think I’m getting the jist of your pattern but after row 2 do you just keeping going the same way until you make it as long as you want?

    Mel

  34. Mel says:

    Thanks Rachel. I have another question…I am making this for my sister in law who doesn’t live in the same town as me, I know her measurements but how can I make sure this fits her well? I started it but I feel like it might be a tad big on her. I chained stitched 46 but I’m thinking this might be too big now. I know this is specific question but I forgot to measure her with the yarn before I left.

    Thanks Mel

    • Rachel Choi says:

      You can compare the size of your crocheted piece to the measurements that you took of her. The exact size would be good but if your yarn is stretchy then slightly smaller than the measurements you took would be better.

  35. Linda Wernette says:

    Incase I may be of some help I have made a pair of these and this is what I experienced. One ended up larger the other. I rather have them snug then to big. Snug can stretch, lose will, well, stay lose unless you try shrinking them in the wash/dry cycle but that may be dangerous. Take your measurements of your wrist and around your palm and try to compare those measurements with hers. I bet if I made another pair they would be closer in size due to practice. They turn out precious.

  36. janet says:

    Hi Rachel i have started doing your gloves but i’m not sure about row 2 (ch 1, skip 5, 5 dc in next dc) across, skip 2, dc in next st where it says skip 2 and dc in the next stitch will that be in the single crochet
    you say also that there is 6 dc in one shell but we only do 5dc hoping you can help thankyou.

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Janet! After you skip 2 you’re going to make the 5 dc in the next dc. It’s not in a sc. The dc is the center dc of the 5 dc that you made on row 1. When you skip the stitches you should end up in the center to make your 5 dc.

      There are 5 dc in one shell. But each shell uses 6 chains. You only need to worry about the chains if you are adjusting the beginning chain.

  37. janet says:

    do you have to dc in the middle .that will leave a space before it and after it will that be right .
    will doing 30 rows make it very large .
    mine does not look like the picture in the middle is the skip 2 and dc in the middle right i hope you can understand me and hope you can help as i really like your gloves .

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Yes, you will be making the set of dc in the middle of the previous row’s 5 dc. If you are counting correctly, you’ll end up in the middle stitch.
      30 rows is what I used for the sample in the photo.

  38. janet says:

    Sorry it’s me again the lady asks you if I am trying to figure out the fingurless gloves pattern do you continue with row 2 until you have the length you want and you replied yes but i’m no under standing that i, thought the gloves would be the same size as the chain you made.

  39. janet says:

    Thankyou for getting back to me i will try again and i will let you know thanks rachel.

  40. Debbie says:

    Will this pattern work with heavier (warmer) yarn?

  41. Goldie says:

    I am new a crocheting but I found your fingerless glove patternthis afternoon.and I made it .I want to thank you for it .it was so easy and really looks nice .will make a nice Christmas Present. I have 43 Great Grandkids,so I try to make things for the older ones & Newborns.Thank you Again.

  42. Ann Marie says:

    How many yards of #10 thread does it take?

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