Drafted and tested the upper hand and finalised the colour choices. Working with three yarns on parts of the fingers is a challenge and hopefully by the time I reach the fingers on the actual gloves I will be better able to control three yarns. Having worked the upper hand I think the long glove is a bit too ambitious presently and will work a short glove. Although I have been as careful as I possibly can to draft a hand that has a good chance of fitting it would be devastating to work an arm section only to find the hand does not fit.

Final finger swatching promising. A better red and lighter background 45/2 cashmere is nearer the Warren glove look. Although high twist it still does not have the smooth silky look of the actual gloves. The pattern in progress is showing promise as can have fingers of different length. Handling three yarns is still a challenge - especially when weaving the longer floats. Warren’s gloves do not weave the floats but am concerned that if I do not then I run the risk of snagging yarns.

Side by side comparison of my swatches with the actual gloves was a real shock since the fabric was even finer than I had imagined. The 36/2 merino swatch motif was the nearest in size to the motif of the originals although the yarn is thicker and the fabric more dense. The 28/2 motif was too big and clearly this is an even more challenging job. For now will have another attempt at working with the 45/2 yarn and see if I can get somewhere near a Warren look and feel.

Have probably done as much as I can now ahead of a visit to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford to get a close up look at Warren Hasting’s gloves. The comparison of swatches to a high resolution image indicate that 28/2 cashmere is probably going to be the best yarn choice as it gives the crispest motif. As a second choice the 36/2 merino would work although the colours are a little too strong. Side by side comparison of swatch motifs with the gloves will give me an idea of needle size but I fear it will be 0.7mm but hope it could be 0.8mm. 0.7mm is a small as I can go as manipulating 0.6mm 6 inch needles is probably a challenge too far on a project this size.

Note 13 a final swatch with dominance consistent with the Warren Hastings gloves and it looks as if I have come full circle. 28/2 cashmere and merino worked on a variety of needle sizes and it looks as if the cashmere on 0.7mm needles may be the best option. The Buttercup needles hold up to the challenge of knitting a firm fabric and it is apparet how useless the Hiya Hiya ones were.
Note 12 45/2 is probably too fine. It can be knitted with 0.7mm needle but 0.6mm would be better. The problem is that the needles become increasingly more flxible and although working 45/2 on 4 inch needles is OK it is a real challenge on the 6 inch needles.
Note 11 - the effort of working inside out is not worth it as even on a finger the tension appeared unaffected - clearly more work needs to be put into manipulating three fine yarns in a row. Changing the dominance had more of an effect on tension. Ordinarily I make the detail the dominant yarn but like Warren’s original glove I swapped the yarns making the background dominant. The result has been a crisper, less heavy motif. What I had not expected was the small change in tension - being a little looser. All this was carried out with 36/2 merino and 0.8mm needles. A promising combination for future projects perhaps. The easing of the tension by changing the yarn dominance is now making the 45/2 seem a more hopeful prospect.
Note 10 - The 45/2 sample finger worked over 60 stitches is quite a snug fit and as the yarn is soft and not particularly durable it might be best to try 72 stitches. The trefoil band shows some signs of pulling still after washing so the next sample will be worked inside out. This action should make it easier to run floats loosely as they are effectively taking the longer path on the outside of the circle.
Note 9 - Working with 45/2 cashmere and 0.7mm needles. The combination achieves the required gauge but it is a challenging knit! The three colour trefoil is particularly difficult to control the tension and will need a bit work. Just need to wash it and hope it does not shrink too much.
Note 8 - Working with 28/2 Venne Colcoton Bio Merino and 1mm whilst waiting for needle delivery. The combination in the swatch suggests that a glove with quite a robust texture can be worked. The texture seems to lack the finesse of the actual Warren Hasting’s glove further suggesting that 36/2 may be a better choice.
Note 7 - Now pushing 27 stitches per inch which may be a bit of a blessing. A size larger needle on order. Using this may be sufficient to take away the firmness of the fabric.
Note 6 36/2 Venne Colcoton merino and 0.7mm needles pretty near the gauge. The only possible negative is that it is quite firm and the the colours are possibly a little on the bright side. Will probably still try a cobweb cashmere although it is possibly not going to be as strong as the merino. Taking a while to get hand and eye into manipulating stitches and easy to drop the one at the end of the needle. Don’t really want to knit on five needles but may have to.

Note 5 Digressed into some interesting work on Eastern versus Western knitting in the round elaborated on by Mary Thomas on page 54 of her Knitting book. Some evidence on day 7 photos on Flickr. Something to return to in due course. The discovery does have implications for re-creating the glove if they were made Eastern style.

Note 4 First cashmere swatch done and can size elbow end of glove to 180 stitch circumference. This project on hold and exploring Eastern and Western knitting styles. Notes on Flickr

Note 3 - Whilst yarn upgrade is sourced and delivered just work on the 1mm 28/2 swatch as investment for future glove projects.

Note 2 - Needed to reach out to fellow Ravelers for help as impossible to knit 28/2 on 0.7mm. Within a day the needles were so badly bent, not straightening and their whippiness made hands ache as the needles seemed to have a mind of their own.
Took advice and considered a less bendy needle sourced from Buttercup Miniatures. Frances had achieved 24 stitches per inch with DMC 80 cotton in a cute miniature stranded jumper. With a single yarn only have worked a sample of around 22/23 spi - not easy to count. Stranded would come up a bit tighter I suspect.
The Knitting Lady suggests 36/2 Venne Colcoton can be used as a substitute for the DMC so that is on order from Helena Petite fashions. Mini spools are reasonably priced for experimenting with. The outcome of this will lead me to either 36/2 or 46/2 cashmere. The problem with the former is that the range of colours is less extensive at the moment. I am sort of inclined to the latter as the 28/2 cashmere appears thicker than 24/2 merino used in the Bengal glove. It is not easy and mistakes expensive.

Note 1 - Even more difficult adjusting than expected. Just need to dig in. blog
http://clicknknit.me/2015/02/05/warren-hastings-glove-5/

Todd and Duncan collection for Chanel with a cream, red and grey - Colourmart
Zafferano (saffron) spun by Carriaggi for an acceptable gold - Colourmart
Black 2000 Colourmart
Silver grey 20923 with a further grey from Yarns to Yearn for
Navy Blue from Yarns to Yearn For (eBay) - is possibly a little dark and may need to look again
Just found a slate blue on Yarns to Yearn For that looks as if it could be a bit more hopeful.