377. That’s the number of patterns on Ravelry for knit OR crochet, free* pattern-based, worsted wool-made fingerless gloves. My friend, Sarah, asked her Twitter friends (or “tweeps”) if someone would knit her a pair of fingerless gloves. She’s a writer, you see, and I can imagine your hands can get rather chilly in those little cafes, typing away on a laptop.

I already know what yarn I’m going to use, some Neighborhood Fibre Company Worsted in a great mix of blues named after my neighborhood (all NFC stuff is named after DC neighborhoods, you see). Here’s a sample of that yarn, which I also used to make myself a shawl to keep my shoulders warm on cool days at work. Isn’t it gorgeous? (This photo is actually my background and lock screen image on my phone, I love it so much.)

So, of those 377 patterns, which to pick?

Sarah is a caring, friendly geek. She reads lots of fantasy and sci-fi, can quote the West Wing word for word, never forgets a name/face/where she met you, always opts for a handmade gift over a purchased one, and has a passion for non-profit fundraising.

Well, crap. That doesn’t help at all!

[Ya know what Ravelry needs, a Compare To function. Like "I can't decide between these 10 pattern, give me the quick stats on things like elements (lace, cables, etc) and construction technique (seamed up, knit in the round). Like how you buy a digital camera or a laptop online. ]

I quickly went through all 11 pages of pattern options, throwing out any that were too basic, too weird, used multiple colors (though stripes are okay, I can make them stripe-less), weren’t really fingerless, or otherwise seemed totally like something she wouldn’t like.

I’m still left with 22 options. Far better than 377 but, still.

Here’s the contenders, starting with the most basic then textured then lace then cables:

(Non-Rav folks, click on the last link after each pattern, it’ll take you somewhere you can find a photo of a finished example of that pattern. Didn’t want to take the time to ask for photo permissions so linking instead.)

• Those Mitts by Leslie Friend (Rav link, fave example, PDF pattern link): Simple, with gueset for the thumb
• Fingerless Mitts (Rav link, fave example, pattern blog post): Crochet, basic rib, shorter in length
• Lacis (Rav link, fave example, pattern page): Mostly simple but a bit of flair, shorter in length
• Target Acquired (Rav link, fave example, photo on Flickr): Designed as part of a Battlestart Galactica Ravelry group, fun textured pattern along back of hand, length on the longer side
• Waffle Stitch Fingerless Gloves (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Nothing to say that isn’t already in the title of the pattern
• Memphis Fingerless Gloves (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Crochet, long length, textured except for tops which have shell lace detail
• Rhinebeck or Bust Wristers (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Some garter, some stockinette, some ribbing
• Charmed Wrist Warmers (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Simple crochet in a spiral pattern, would make the variations in the yarn look really neat
• Easy Lace Fingerless Mittens (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Slightly lacey, little zig-zag lace, medium length
• Daisy Stitch Hand Warmers (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Made them before, still love the pattern
• Waves Arm Warmer (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Large scale wave-like lace, no thumb so not really fingerless gloves, too cute not to consider as option
• Shell Lace Fitted Fingerless Gloves (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Crocheted, basic shell lace for a girly touch
• Crochet Openwork Handwarmers (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Very similar to previous though more “holey”
• Elegant Wrist Warmers (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Another crochet lacey version, this one looks more like little x’s
• Matching Mitts for the Meret (Rav link, fave example, photo): Simple lace pattern, matches the Meret hat pattern
• Winning Waves Mitts (Rav link, fave example, photo): Sort of cabled, sort of not, hard to describe, all links are to designer’s own account and Flickr photo
• Eireen (Rav link, pattern): Small cables and a subtle rib, new designer, would basically be a test knit for her
• Roman Holiday Mitts (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Lots of cables
• Cabled Gauntlets (Rav link, fave example, pattern): One cable down the back of the hand, would skip the beads shown in the designer’s project
• Off Kilter Mitts (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Over-centered cable
• Trenza Mitts (Rav link, fave example, pattern): Braid cabling

So, Sarah, which ones do you want? (And does your sister and/or Chelsea want a pair, too?)

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* Do not lecture me about how I should be willing to pay for a pattern, I am. Fingerless gloves just seem to be rare items that have patterns for purchase versus free. Only 131 available online that meet the WW condition, actually.