Prism Drift Fingerless Gloves: A Free Brioche Knitting Pattern for Iridescent Warmth

Wrap your hands in the shifting hues of a sunset with these brioche-knit fingerless gloves. The Prism Drift Fingerless Gloves feature a mesmerizing gradient of jewel tones—deep teal, violet, and golden amber—that creates a plush, reversible fabric as functional as it is beautiful. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a textured challenge or a confident beginner ready to explore the magic of brioche, this pattern will guide you through creating a modern, cozy accessory that catches the light with every movement.

Brioche knitting is renowned for its squishy, double-sided texture that looks like a honeycomb rib. This pattern uses a two-color brioche technique worked in the round, resulting in a striking striped effect that transitions through the color palette. The thumb gusset is shaped with simple increases, and the gloves are finished with a neat ribbed edge for a polished look. Let's dive into this rewarding project!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
  • Color A (deep teal) – for cuff and finishing
  • Color B (violet) – for main brioche body
  • Color C (golden amber) – for upper hand section
  Approx 150g total (about 50g of each color). Choose a smooth, plied yarn to show off the brioche texture clearly.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle for magic loop, or a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) if you prefer.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 2), tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in brioche stitch (after blocking). Always knit a swatch to ensure your gauge matches for the perfect fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in the round from the cuff up, using a two-color brioche stitch for a plush, striped effect. The thumb gusset is shaped with increases, then the hand is worked to the fingers. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful pair of gloves in no time.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• brk: brioche knit (knit the stitch together with its yarnover)
• brp: brioche purl (purl the stitch together with its yarnover)
• yo: yarn over
• sl1yo: slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn over
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• p2tog: purl 2 together
• M1R: make 1 right (increase)
• M1L: make 1 left (increase)
• pm: place marker
• rm: remove marker

Setup

With Color A, CO 40 stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.

Ribbed Cuff (worked in 1x1 rib with Color A)

Rounds 1-8: *K1, P1* repeat to end of round. This creates a snug, stretchy cuff that will keep the gloves in place.

Brioche Cuff (two-color brioche in the round)

Now we'll begin the brioche pattern. This section creates the plush, textured body of the glove. You'll alternate between Color A and Color B each round.

Round 1 (Color A): *Sl1yo, K1* repeat to end. (You will have 20 slipped stitches with yarnovers and 20 knit stitches). This sets up the brioche foundation.

Round 2 (Color B): *Brp, Sl1yo* repeat to end. (Purl the stitch together with its yarnover, then slip the next stitch with yarnover).

Round 3 (Color A): *Sl1yo, Brk* repeat to end. (Slip the first stitch with yarnover, then knit the next stitch together with its yarnover).

Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 for 10 more rounds (total 12 brioche rounds). This will create a beautiful, striped honeycomb texture. Remember to always carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the work.

Thumb Gusset Increases

Continue in brioche pattern, but now we'll shape the thumb. The increases are worked on the first stitch of the round (the stitch after the marker).

Round 1 (Color B): *Brp, Sl1yo* repeat to end, but at the marker, M1R, then continue brioche pattern to end of round.

Round 2 (Color A): *Sl1yo, Brk* repeat to end, but at the marker, M1L, then continue brioche pattern to end of round.

Repeat these two increase rounds every 4th round, 3 more times (total 4 increases on each side, 8 stitches added). You will now have 48 stitches on your needles. The increases will form a wedge shape for your thumb.

Hand Section

Work even in brioche pattern (alternating Rounds 2 and 3) for 12 rounds, or until the glove reaches the base of your fingers. Try it on to check the length—it should cover your palm but leave your fingers free.

Finger Separation (optional, for a more tailored fit)

If you want individual finger holes, you can work short rows for each finger, but for a classic fingerless glove, continue as follows. This keeps the design simple and elegant.

Finishing the Hand

Work 2 rounds in 1x1 rib (K1, P1) using Color A, to create a neat edge that matches the cuff. This provides a tidy finish and prevents the brioche from rolling.

Bind off loosely in rib pattern. Be careful not to bind off too tightly, or the edge will pucker.

Thumb

Pick up the 8 gusset stitches plus 2 stitches on each side (12 stitches total) onto your needles. This creates a clean opening for your thumb.

Work in brioche pattern (alternating Rounds 2 and 3) for 6 rounds, then bind off loosely. The thumb should be snug but comfortable.

Second Glove

Repeat all steps, but work the thumb gusset increases at the end of the round (before the marker) to create a mirror image. This ensures your thumbs are on the correct sides for each hand.

Finishing

Weave in all ends carefully with a tapestry needle. Block gently to open up the brioche texture—this will make the stitches more defined and the fabric more even. Lay flat to dry.

Tips for Success

• Keep your tension consistent: Brioche is forgiving, but even tension will give you the best results.
• Use a lifeline: If you're new to brioche, insert a lifeline after the ribbed cuff. This way, if you make a mistake, you can easily rip back to that point.
• Count your stitches: After each increase round, count your stitches to ensure you haven't missed any increases.
• Try on as you go: The beauty of knitting in the round is that you can easily try on the glove as you work to check the fit.

These Prism Drift Fingerless Gloves are a joy to knit and even more delightful to wear. The gradient of jewel tones—from deep teal through violet to golden amber—creates a stunning visual effect that shifts as you move your hands. The brioche stitch makes them incredibly warm and squishy, perfect for chilly days when you still need your fingers free for typing, texting, or simply enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Whether you're making them for yourself or as a thoughtful handmade gift, these gloves are sure to become a favorite accessory. Happy knitting!