model: Annalee Jackofsky  photos: Rick Jackofsky

by Erica Jackofsky

"Chickens a crowin' in the Sourwood Mountains; Hi-ho doodle-um a-day; So many pretty girls you can't count em; Hi-ho diddle-um a-day" –Sourwood Mountain, Traditional American Folk Song.

The return of Spring and warmer weather often leads people to rush outside at their first chance. Festivals, concerts, and other outdoor gatherings begin popping up. While this is certainly a beautiful time to celebrate, it can still be chilly. As a performing musician Spring heralds the beginning of the busy season and sometimes hours of strumming and fiddling away while exposed to the elements. These gloves are inspired by the many performances I have spent wishing I had a little something for my hands. They are thin enough to allow movement, but just warm enough to help fend off that nip lingering in the air.

Sourwood Mountain is a traditional old-time American dance tune. Exact geographic origin is unknown, however, it usually appears in collections of southern mountain songs. Variations of this tune were collected by folklorists dating to the early 1900s spanning across North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Missouri.

All three sizes of this glove may be completed with two skeins of yarn. However, if you extend the pattern, or wish to keep your gauge swatch, you will need a third skein for the largest size. The leaf pattern on the hand is worked across one needle for ease of keeping your place. If you find that the purls at the beginning and end this needle are showing ladders, try purling through the back loops of these stitches to pull them in.

S[M, L] (Shown in size S)

Cuff circumference: 6[6.5, 7] inches
Hand circumference: 7[7.5, 8] inches
Length: 8 inches

 1 US size F/4mm crochet hook (used for button loops)
 Cable needle
 3 stitch markers
 Yarn needle
 6 buttons, 5/8 inch diameter ; buttons shown are Starstruck design from Roosterick Designs

26 sts/36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st using larger needles

Instructions for basic crochet stitches can be found here.

C2BP: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold to back of work; k1, p1 from cable needle.

C2FP: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold to front of work; p1, k1 from cable needle.

C5BP: Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work; k3, p2 from cable needle.

C5FP: Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; p2, k3 from cable needle.

M1L (left-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from front to back, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

M1R (right-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from back to front, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through front loop. 1 stitch increased.

MB: [K1, yo, k1] in next st; 1 st increased to 3 sts. Turn work. P3 tbl, turn work. K3, pass second and third sts on right needle over first stitch; 3 sts decreased to 1 st.

Pfb: Purl into front, then back of stitch. 1 st increased.

Right Cuff Pattern (Worked over 23 sts):
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, C2FP, p3, C5BP, p5, k1, p1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k7, p3, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 3 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C2FP, C5BP, p3, MB, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 4 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k5, p4, k4, p1, k1, p1.
Row 5 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C5BP, p4, C2BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 6 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k4, p1, k6, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 7 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, k3, p5, C2BP, p4, k1, p1, k1.
Row 8 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k5, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 9 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, k3, p4, C2BP, p2, MB, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 10 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k4, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 11 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C5FP, p1, C2BP, p3, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 12 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k4, p1, k1, p3, k5, p1, k1, p1.
Row 13 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p5, C5FP, p3, C2BP, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 14 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k3, p3, k7, p1, k1, p1.
Row 15 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, MB, p3, C5FP, C2BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 16 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k4, p4, k5, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 17 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C2FP, p4, C5FP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 18 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k6, p1, k4, p1, k1, p1.
Row 19 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p4, C2FP, p5, k3, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 20 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k5, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1.
Row 21 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, MB, p2, C2FP, p4, k3, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 22 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k4, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.
Row 23 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p3, C2FP, p1, C5BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 24 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p3, k1, p1, k4, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-24 for Right Cuff Pattern.

Left Cuff Pattern (Worked over 23 sts):
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p5, C5FP, p3, C2BP, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 2 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k3, p3, k7, p1, k1, p1.
Row 3 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, MB, p3, C5FP, C2BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 4 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k4, p4, k5, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 5 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C2FP, p4, C5FP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 6 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k6, p1, k4, p1, k1, p1.
Row 7 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p4, C2FP, p5, k3, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 8 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k5, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1.
Row 9 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, MB, p2, C2FP, p4, k3, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 10 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k4, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.
Row 11 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p3, C2FP, p1, C5BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 12 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p3, k1, p1, k4, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.
Row 13 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, C2FP, p3, C5BP, p5, k1, p1, k1.
Row 14 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k7, p3, k3, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 15 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C2FP, C5BP, p3, MB, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 16 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k5, p4, k4, p1, k1, p1.
Row 17 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C5BP, p4, C2BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 18 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k4, p1, k6, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 19 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, k3, p5, C2BP, p4, k1, p1, k1.
Row 20 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k5, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 21 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, k3, p4, C2BP, p2, MB, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 22 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k4, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 23 [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C5FP, p1, C2BP, p3, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 24 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k4, p1, k4, p3, k5, p1, k1, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-24 for Left Cuff Pattern.

Right Hand Pattern (Worked over 13 sts at beginning; number of sts will vary as pattern is worked)
Rounds 1-2: K3, p10.
Round 3: C5FP, p8.
Round 4: P2, k3, p8.
Round 5: P2, C5FP, p6.
Round 6: P4, k3, p6.
Round 7: P4, C5FP, p4.
Round 8: P6, k3, p4.
Round 9: P5, C2BP, k1 tbl, C2FP, p3.
Round 10: P5, [k1 tbl, p1] twice, k1 tbl, p3.
Round 11: P4, C2BP, p1, k1 tbl, p1, C2FP, p2.
Rounds 12-13: P4, [k1 tbl, p2] three times.
Round 14: P4, k1, yo, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2. 14 sts.
Round 15: P4, yo, k2, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2. 14 sts.
Round 16: P4, k3, yo, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2. 16 sts.
Round 17: P4, yo, k4, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2. 17 sts.
Round 18: P4, k5, yo, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2. 18 sts.
Round 19: P4, k6, [p2, k1 tbl] twice, p2.
Round 20: P4, k4, k2tog, p2, k1, yo, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 21: P4, ssk, k3, p2, yo, k2, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 22: P4, k2, k2tog, p2, k3, yo, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 23: P4, ssk, k1, p2, yo, k4, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 24: P4, k2tog, p2, k5, yo, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 25: P7, k6, p2, k1 tbl, p2.
Round 26: P7, k4, k2tog, p2, k1, yo, p2.
Round 27: P7, ssk, k3, p2, yo, k2, p2.
Round 28: P7, k2, k2tog, p2, k3, yo, p2.
Round 29: P7, ssk, k1, p2, yo, k4, p2.
Round 30: P7, k2tog, k2, k5, yo, p2.
Round 31: P10, k6, p2.
Round 32: P10, k4, k2tog, p2. 17 sts.
Round 33: P10, ssk, k3, p2. 16 sts.
Round 34: P10, k2, k2tog, p2. 15 sts.
Round 35: P10, ssk, k1, p2. 14 sts.
Round 36: P10, k2tog, p2. 13 sts.

Left Hand Pattern (Worked over 13 sts at beginning; number of sts will vary as pattern is worked)
Rounds 1-2: P10, k3.
Round 3: P8, C5BP.
Round 4: P8, k3, p2.
Round 5: P6, C5BP, p2.
Round 6: P6, k3, p4.
Round 7: P4, C5BP, p4.
Round 8: P4, k3, p6.
Round 9: P3, C2BP, k1 tbl, C2FP, p5.
Round 10: P3, [k1 tbl, p1] twice, k1 tbl, p5.
Round 11: P2, C2BP, p1, k1 tbl, p1, C2FP, p4.
Rounds 12-13: [P2, k1 tbl] three times, p4.
Round 14: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, yo, k1, p4. 14 sts.
Round 15: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, k2, yo, p4. 15 sts.
Round 16: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, yo, k3, p4. 16 sts.
Round 17: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, k4, yo, p4. 17 sts.
Round 18: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, yo, k5, p4. 18 sts.
Round 19: [P2, k1 tbl] twice, p2, k6, p4.
Round 20: P2, k1 tbl, p2, yo, k1, p2, ssk, k4, p4.
Round 21: P2, k1 tbl, p2, k2, yo, p2, k3, k2tog, p4.
Round 22: P2, k1 tbl, p2, yo, k3, p2, ssk, k2, p4
Round 23: P2, k1 tbl, p2, k4, yo, p2, k1, k2tog, p4.
Round 24: P2, k1 tbl, p2, yo, k5, p2, ssk, p4.
Round 25: P2, k1 tbl, p2, k6, p7.
Round 26: P2, yo, k1, p2, ssk, k4, p7.
Round 27: P2, k2, yo, p2, k3, k2tog, p7.
Round 28: P2, yo, k3, p2, ssk, k2, p7.
Round 29: P2, k4, yo, p2, k1, k2tog, p7.
Round 30: P2, yo, k5, p2, ssk, p7.
Round 31: P2, k6, p10.
Round 32: P2, ssk, k4, p10. 17 sts.
Round 33: P2, k3, k2tog, p10. 16 sts.
Round 34: P2, ssk, k2, p10. 15 sts.
Round 35: P2, k1, k2tog, p10. 14 sts.
Round 36: P2, ssk, p10. 13 sts.

RIGHT GLOVE

Cuff: 
Using straight needles, CO 20 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k to last 3 sts, p1, k1, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[1, 2] times more.

Increase Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p4, pfb, k1, m1, k1, pfb, p3, k1, p1, k1. 23 sts.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p3, k6, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.

Sizes M, L Only:
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p6, k3, p5, k1, p1, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k5, p3, k6, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.

All Sizes:
Work Rows 1-24 of Right Cuff Pattern twice.

Size S Only:
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, ssk, p3, ssk, k2tog, k1, p5, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Sizes M Only:
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p4, C5BP, p5, k1, p1,  k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k7, p3, k4, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1.
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, ssk, p3, k2tog, k1, p3, p2tog, p2, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Size L Only:
Work Rows 1-2 of Right Cuff Pattern.
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, C2FP, C5BP, p7, k1, p1, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k9, p4, k4, p1, k1, p1.
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p4, ssk, k1, ssk, p1, p2tog, p5, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Hand:
Turn the cuff so that the RS is facing, with the BO edge at right and the CO edge at left. Using double-point needles, working along long upper edge and beginning with fourth[fourth, third] row from BO edge, pick up and k 41[45, 49] sts. (Pick up 4 sts for every 5 rows, and 1 st in corner of CO edge.)

Divide sts between needles so that there are 13 sts on first needle (Needle 1), and 14[16, 18] sts each on second and third needles (Needles 2 and 3). Join to work in the round.

Round 1: Work Round 1 of Right Hand Pattern over sts on Needle 1; k20[24, 26], place marker, [p1, k1] four[four, five] times.
This round sets pattern for hand: sts on Needle 1 are worked in Right Hand Pattern, last 8[8, 10] sts of round are worked in 1x1 Rib as set, all other sts are worked in stockinette st.
Rounds 2-3: Work in pattern as set.
Round 4: Work in pattern to end of Needle 1; k8[8, 10], M1R, k to marker, M1L, slip marker, work in pattern to end. 43[47, 51] sts.
Round 5: Work in pattern as set.
Round 6: Work as for Round 4. 45[49, 53] sts.
Round 7: Work in pattern as set.
Round 8: Work as for Round 4. 47[51, 55] sts.
Rounds 9-18: Work in pattern as set.

Thumb Gusset:
Next Round: Work in pattern to end of Needle 1; k7, place marker, k1, M1R, M1L, k1, place marker, work in pattern to end. 49[53, 57] sts.
Increase Round: Work in pattern to first marker, k1, M1R, k to 1 st before second marker, M1L, k1, continue in pattern to end of round. 2 sts increased.
Repeat Increase Round 5[6, 7] times more. 61[67, 73] sts. There are 16[18, 20] gusset sts between first and second markers.

Next Round: Work in pattern to first marker; remove marker, BO 16[18, 20] sts, removing second marker; continue in pattern to end. 45[49, 53] sts.
Next Round: Work in pattern to bound-off sts, pick up and k 1 st in first bound-off st and 1 st in last bound-off st, continue in pattern to end. 47[51, 55] sts.
Continue in pattern as set until Round 36 of Right Hand Pattern is complete.

Upper Ribbing:
Round 1: P2tog, k1, [p1, k1] to end. 46[50, 54] sts.
Rounds 2-3: [P1, k1] to end.
Loosely BO all sts.

LEFT GLOVE

Cuff: 
Using straight needles, CO 20 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k to last 3 sts, p1, k1, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[1, 2] times more.

Increase Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, pfb, k1, m1, k1, pfb, p4, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1. 23 sts.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k6, p3, k5, p1, k1, p1.

Sizes M, L Only:
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p5, k3, p6, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k6, p3, k5, p1, k1, p1.

All Sizes:
Work Rows 1-24 of Left Cuff Pattern twice.

Size S Only:
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p3, p2tog, k3, k2tog, p3, k2tog, p2, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Sizes M Only:
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p5, C5FP, p4, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k4, p3, k7, p1, k1, p1.
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p2, p2tog, p3, k1, k2tog, p3, k2tog, p2, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Size L Only:
Work Rows 1-2 of Left Cuff Pattern.
Next Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p7, C5FP, C2BP, p3, k1, p1, k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1, k4, p4, k9, p1, k1, p1.
Last Row [RS]: K1, p1, k1, p5, p2tog, p1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, p4, k1, p1, k1. 20 sts.
Loosely BO all sts.

Hand:
Turn the cuff so that the RS is facing, with the CO edge at right and the BO edge at left. Using double-point needles, working along long upper edge and beginning at CO edge, pick up and k 41[45, 49] sts. (Pick up 4 sts for every 5 rows, picking up last st in fourth[fourth, third] row from BO edge.)

Divide sts between needles so that there are 14[16, 18] sts each on first and second needles (Needles 1 and 2), and 13 sts on third needle (Needle 3). Join to work in the round.

Round 1: [K1, p1] four[four, five] times, place marker, k12[16, 16], place marker, k8[8, 10]; work Round 1 of Left Hand Pattern over sts on Needle 3.
This round sets pattern for hand: first 8[8, 10] sts are worked in 1x1 Rib as set, sts on Needle 3 are worked in Left Hand Pattern, all other sts are worked in stockinette st.
Rounds 2-3: Work in pattern as set.
Round 4: Work in pattern to first marker, slip marker, M1L, k to marker, M1R, slip marker, work in pattern to end.
Round 5: Work in pattern as set.
Round 6: Work as for Round 4. 45[49, 53] sts.
Round 7: Work in pattern as set.
Round 8: Work as for Round 4. 47[51, 55] sts.
Rounds 9-18: Work in pattern as set, removing second marker.

Thumb Gusset:
Next Round: Work in pattern to first marker, k17[21, 23], place marker, k1, M1R, M1L, k1, place marker, work in pattern to end. 49[53, 57] sts.
Increase Round: Work in pattern to second marker, k1, M1R, k to 1 st before third marker, M1L, k1, continue in pattern to end of round. 2 sts increased.
Repeat Increase Round 5[6, 7] times more. 61[67, 73] sts. There are 16[18, 20] gusset sts between first and second markers.

Next Round: Work in pattern to second marker; remove marker, BO 16[18, 20] sts, removing third marker; continue in pattern to end. 45[49, 53] sts.
Next Round: Work in pattern to bound-off sts, pick up and k 1 st in first bound-off st and 1 st in last bound-off st, continue in pattern to end. 47[51, 55] sts.
Continue in pattern as set until Round 36 of Left Hand Pattern is complete.

Upper Ribbing:
Round 1: [K1, p1] to last 3 sts, k1, p2tog. 46[50, 54] sts.
Rounds 2-3: [K1, p1] to end.
Loosely BO all sts.

Button Loops:
Button loops are worked along BO end of each cuff.
Use sl st to join yarn in first st, [ch 3, skip next st, sc in following 7 sts] twice, ch 3, skip next st, sl st in last st. Fasten off, sew in end securely.

Weave in ends. Block gloves lightly. Sew buttons to each cuff, opposite button loops.