Making a glove

There are two options for making a glove - either using Silicone or Latex.  Silicone gloves are a bit simpler and quicker to make, a little bit more flexible (for growing hands) but perhaps less hard wearing than latex.  You also need a thicker layer of silicone to offer the same protection as a latex glove.

For a Silicone glove

There are two good videos on YouTube - they're from the US so some of the materials have different names (silicone caulk = decent bath sealant) but give a clear view of how to do it.   The first video covers materials, the second video is about how to actually make the glove.  It's probably worth using a man-made fibre for the glove (see below) rather than cotton as it's less liable to rot.

For a Latex glove you will need

• Cotton, polyester or nylon (exfoliating) glove (cotton ones come with a glove kit from Kevin Hyman).   Cotton ones are liable to going brittle and rotting but any glove will last longer if it's dried after the game rather than left in a soggy mess at the bottom of your bag.
• Thin plastic glove (in a glove kit) from garages or first aid kit
• Pot of Latex (glove kit)
• Shallow dish or plate to make reinforcement strips
• Scissors to cut the strips
• Large bowl to catch the drips
• Spoon or ladle
• Hair dryer
• Hockey stick or something similar size
• Food colouring or poster paint optional.  Avoid bat or puck colours as they are banned in competitions.  Latex will end up a dull yellow colour.  The colour becomes much stronger on drying as the latex becomes opaque.

Making the glove (it helps to have an assistant)

• Cover the working area and floor and change into rough clothes...
• Pour a thin layer of latex into the shallow dish and leave to dry
• Do anything you might need your playing hand for in the next hour
• Put on the plastic glove and then the hockey glove.
• Pour a layer of latex over the glove and work in with your fingers.  A cotton glove can be dunked first but it is best to avoid covering the palm of an exfoliating glove.  Making a fist helps avoid latex covering the palm.
• Work the latex into the material with your fingers and dry with a hair dryer.  The cotton glove tends to shrink so make sure it is pulled down each finger. Grip a bat during this process to form into an ergonomic shape.  You will need to occaisionally split the fingers to stop them sticking together.
• When the top is dry cut the thin latex into strips and lay over the back of the fingers and knuckles (see photos).  If the stips are fully dry coat one side and/ or the glove with fresh latex and wait for it to go tacky.  Squash them in place using a hairdryer to speed up the gluing.
• Coat the glove again over the strips to make a smooth bond on the edges and stick down any loose bits.
• Repeat layers to personal preference. 
• When firm on the outside carefully remove the glove and allow to dry.
• The areas of the palm and fingers can be cut out to improve grip and remove bulk.  Make sure enough glove remains to keep the fingers in place.

 If you have not used all the latex it will store if kept airtight.

Cotton Glove left, Exfoliating Glove right.  Snoopy loops from bicycle tyres on first finger retains the bat in your hand.

Protection to thumb and first finger

 The exfoliating gloves hold their shape better

Palm cut out or no latex to provide grip. 

Protection to knuckles - note cotton glove folded back at the wrist