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Merry Christmas!

’Twas the lead-up to Christmas, and all through The Big Issue, we’re celebrating the season with warmth and Big Wish Yous. Melbourne vendor Con is our cover Claus, helping to spread the joy of The Big Wish You: an annual compilation of vendors’ messages of gratitude, reflections on the year that was, and their hopes for 2025. Across an extra eight pages, it’s an edition packed with stories capturing every facet of the most wonderful time of the year – Scrooge himself couldn’t resist.

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Gloved Up

Brrrr, it’s cold outside! Help keep vendors toasty warm on their pitches this winter – by spreading the warmth and whipping up a super-simple pair of fingerless gloves!

Crocheted Fingerless Gloves

 Materials

8 ply yarn
4mm hook 

Instructions

Chain 41 loosely – approximately 25cm length. Adjust the number if necessary, it is not terribly important – the longer the length, the longer the glove.

1st Row: dc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (40dc). Ch 1, turn.

2nd Row: working in the back loops only, dc in each dc across. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat 2nd Row until work measures 20cm for size large, 15cm for medium. For a child, shorten the length of the beginning chain and work 2nd row for approximately 10cm.

Do not fasten off.

Fold together (beginning chain row to last row worked).

Working through both pieces, either slip stitch or sew seam for 7cm (large), 5cm (medium).

Slip stitch across the next 8dc on one side only (or leave an 8dc gap if sewing), then working through both pieces again, slip stitch or sew remaining seam.

Fasten off and sew in ends.

 

Knitted Fingerless Gloves

Materials

8 ply yarn
4mm (No8) needles
Small amount of contrasting yarn size small (large)

Instructions

Cast on 32 (40) sts.

Rib K2,P2 for 16(20)cm.

Finish with a few rows of contrasting yarn so it is easier to tell the top from the bottom of the gloves.

Cast off loosely in rib – it is wise to use a larger sized needle for casting off so that the edge is not too tight. This needs to stretch a little with the glove and be loose enough for a hand to fit through.

Fold in half lengthwise and sew up side seam for 8(10)cm from bottom. Then sew 5(7)cm from other end, leaving the middle section for the thumb hole. Be sure you don’t make the thumbhole too small – try it out on your hand (or a large hand) before finishing sewing.

The finished item will seem to be way too skinny, but don’t despair – you will find it stretches easily to be a nice firm fit.

I like to use a contrast colour at the wrist end of the gloves – it makes it easier to see where to put your hand in. You can also use fancy yarn with feathers, for example. Footy colours are also popular.

THESE PATTERNS HAVE BEEN KINDLY MADE AVAILABLE BY KNIT ONE GIVE ONE: KOGO.ORG.AU.

How to get your gloves to your vendor?

Drop them off to their pitch directly, or post them to the vendor support office in your state, with your vendor’s name if you have it. All addresses can be found on our website: thebigissue.org.au/contact-us/

Photography by Christina Simons

Published in Ed#717