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'Conrad' gloves by Freddie Robins

Freddie Robins's subversive knitting includes a series of gloves where pairs join, single gloves have ten fingers or each finger sprouts a new glove.

'Conrad' is a character from the 19th century book of cautionary tales, Struwwelpeter, by Dr Heinrich Hoffmann.  Conrad's mother warns Conrad that if he continues to suck his thumbs the scissor-man will come and cut them off. He ignores her warnings and 'Snip!
Snap! Snip!' he loses his thumbs. .

Materials

50g (2-ounce skein) 4-ply wool
Small amount of red mohair
Pair of 2 3/4 mm needles (No.12 / US 1)
Large darning needle, for sewing up
Wire brush, for brushing up mohair

Tension (Gauge)

32 sts. to 10 cms. (4 ins.) approx.

Abbreviations

cms. = centimeters
ins. = inches
k. = knit
p. = purl
st. = stitch
sts. = stitches
st.st. = stocking stitch (1 row k., 1 row p.)
tog. = together
inc. = increase
dec. = decrease

Right-hand Glove

Cast on 54 sts. and work 7 cms. (2 3/4 ins.) in k.1, p.1 rib.
Continue in st.st. for 6 rows.
Next row. K. 1, k. twice into next st., k. 25., k. twice into next st., k. 26.
(56 sts.)
Work in st.st. until work measures 11 cms. (4 1/4 ins.) from end of rib, ending with a p. row.

Divide for Fingers:
First Finger:
Next row. K. 36, turn and cast on 1 st.
Next row. P. 17, turn and cast on 1 st.
Work 61/2 cms. (2 1/2 ins.) in st.st. on these 18 sts., ending with a p. row.
Next row. (K. 2 tog., k. 2) 4 times, k. 2 tog.
Next row. P. to end.
Next row. (K. 2 tog.) 6 times, k.1.
Break off the wool, thread through remaining sts., draw up and fasten off securely. Stitch down side seam to base of finger.

Second Finger:
With right side of work facing, rejoin wool and k. up 2 sts. at base of first finger, k. 7 sts., turn, cast on 1 st.
Next row. P. 17, turn and cast on 1 st.
Work 7 cms. (2 3/4 ins.) in st.st., ending with a p. row.
Dec. and fasten off to match the first finger.

Third Finger:
Work as given for second finger but k. up 2 sts. at base of second finger instead of first finger and work in st.st. for only 6 1/2 cms. (2 1/2 ins.) instead of
7 cms. (23/4 ins.)

Fourth Finger:
With right side of work facing, rejoin wool and k. up 4 sts. at base of third finger, k. to end.
Next row. P. 16.
Work 5 cms. (2 ins.) in st.st. on these 16 sts., ending with a p. row.
Next row. (K.2 tog., k. 2) 4 times.
Next row. P. to end.
Next row. (K. 2 tog.) 6 times.
Fasten off to match the first finger, then stitch along side seam to wrist edge.

Left-hand Glove

Cast on 54 sts. and work 7 cms. (2 3/4 ins.) in k.1, p.1 rib.
Continue in st.st. for 6 rows.
Shape for cut off thumb:
1st row. K. 22, k. twice into next st., k. 2, k. twice into next st., k. 28.
2nd to 4th rows. Work 3 rows in st.st.
5th row. K. 22, k. twice into next st., k. 4, k. twice into next st., k. 28.
6th to 8th rows. Work 3 rows in st.st.
9th row. K. 22, k. twice into next st., k. 6, k. twice into next st., k. 28.
Continue inc. in this manner on every 4th row until there are 68 sts. on the needle.
Work 3 rows in st.st. after last inc. row.
Next row. K. 40, turn, cast on 2 sts.
Next row. P. 20, turn, cast on 2 sts.
Work 4 rows on these 22 sts.
Cast (bind) off the 22 sts.
Stitch down short side seam to base of thumb.
With right side of work facing, rejoin wool and k. up 6 sts. at base of thumb, k. to end (56 sts.).
Work in st.st. until work measures 11 cms. (4 1/4 ins.) from end of rib, ending with a p. row.

Divide for fingers and complete the glove as for right-hand glove. Press work lightly with a warm iron over a damp cloth. Seal top of cut off thumb by over-stitching with red mohair. Use wire brush to brush up mohair.