I’m a beginner at knitting, and so far I’ve only done scarves and hats. I want to try gloves or fingerless wrist warmers next, but I’m having some issues understanding the basic mechanics. I’ve looked around, but I haven’t found a definitive answer. Can someone please explain to me, exactly, what a gusset is, and how one might do one (i.e. for the thumb)?
What is/how to do a gusset?
A gussett is a triangular piece that – in knitting – is created by increasing (or decreasing) sts in a limited area. For example, in a glove or mitten, your pattern will tell you to place markers where the thumb gussett is to be. Then you will be told to increase between those markers until that area reaches a specific number of sts. As you go along, you will see that this area becomes very triangular. These sts will then be worked separately from the rest to form the thumb.
Once you get started, you’ll see exactly what it is and how it works. As they say around here, “just trust your pattern”! And good luck!
Spokaloo gave a great reply. Sometimes things don’t make sense reading about it and you just have to follow the pattern with your yarn and needles and then it becomes more clear as you get to the parts that confuse you.
I think Spokaloo’s answer is the best I’ve seen. Thanks!
I know what it means for socks… it’s where you attach the heel flap to the instep and that triangular/curved shape is the gussett, caused by decreases at the instep area. I was never quite sure what it meant for mittens or gloves, but I knew it must be similar.
I wonder if you are planning to make mitts without a pattern and want to understand the gusset a little more? If so let us know.
Thanks everyone for your answers; they helped a lot. Merigoldin, I wasn’t planning to do anything specifically; I was just confused seeing it in a few patterns that I’ve looked at… although I do have a tendency to do my own thing. I’ve got a lot to learn, I suppose.