But a small dark figure that none had observed sprang out of the shadows and gave a hoarse shout: Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! An axe swung and swept back. Two Orcs fell headless. The rest fled.

-- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

These gauntleted fingerless gloves are perfect for protecting your hands and supporting your wrists when battling Orcs or Dragons assailing your homeland. Runes circling your wrists spell out your fearsome battle cry in the ancient language and runic script of your people: Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are Upon You!

The sizes listed take into account the circumference of your hand measured horizontally across the bottom knuckles from the pinky to above the thumb and back around. The shaping of the thumb gusset assumes the hand will be 1.5” larger measured the same way horizontally at the base (first joint) of the thumb. If your measurements differ by more than half an inch, it is easier to work the closest base measurement as written and then use the half-flame chart provided to increase or decrease the top measurement at needed.

This pattern calls for sport weight yarn knit at a fingering weight gauge to create a dense, warm accessory. If a lighter weight item is desired, use fingering weight yarn knit to the same gauge.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON GAUGE
The gauge given is for the stranded part of the work. This is most critical as the cuff chart cannot be adjusted as easily as the stockinette sections. The gauge for the stockinette sections is different. You may need to change needles between stranded and stockinette sections.

Stranded Gauge: 32sts x 40 rows = 4”
Stockinette Gauge: 28sts x 40 rows = 4”

• Knit in the round at a small circumference, using the needles and technique you prefer (dpns, magic loop, 2 circular needles, etc).
• Use the needles you need to meet stitch gauge in both stranded and stockinette portions of the pattern. You may need more than one set of needles in different sizes.
• Recommended: 4-5 stitch markers; one unique marker for start of round, one unique marker for middle of round, one unique marker to mark thumb decreases, and two matching needles to indicate the half-flame chart as needed.
• The pattern directions are written; all colourwork sections are charted only. Note that directions for the thumb shaping happens during a colourwork section.

Yardage used in pattern sample (size L):
MC (grey) 72 yards
LCC (yellow) 51 yards
DCC (red) 61 yards