A Kelpie is the Scots name given to a mythical water horse that was said to haunt Scotland’s lochs and lonely rivers. It is said that it appeared as a horse but was able to adopt human form. The Kelpie would appear to its victims as a lost dark grey or white pony but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. It would entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down to a watery grave. It was a story told to children to warn them against approaching wild horses and water when they were out and about.

My latest design…The Kelpies is named after these mythical creatures of scary Scottish stories. My two Kelpies are rising out of the water, their manes dripping, as they come ashore amongst the thistles and the bracken. On the cover of the pattern, I have set them against the background of Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeod Clan, on the shores of Loch Assynt in the north-west Highlands and a favourite holiday destination of mine as a child.

These gauntlets match the cosy cowl that shares their name. They have a colour work front layer and the plain-coloured stocking-stitch lining. These are knitted separately. The two layers are then knitted together to join them and finished off using an i-cord bind-off technique, which gives the gauntlets smooth corded edges at the fingers and forearm. They are light as a feather, yet incredibly warm because of the double thickness. They cover the fingers to the knuckles and reach past the wrists for even those coldest of days. They feature two borders of rolling waves, which frame the two Kelpies. Both layers are knitted in the round, so there are no seams and only knit stitches are required. You may choose to use either double-pointed knitting needles or a circular knitting needle to knit these gauntlets and will need double-pointed needles for the i-cord bind-offs and for knitting the thumbs. The pattern requires only 2 colours to be used at the same time. There are long floats to the rear of the patterned front, but these become trapped inside the lining, so do not need to be caught up, unless you choose to.

Some experience of fair isle or stranded colour work is needed for this pattern, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.

I do hope you enjoy knitting these and watching your Kelpies come to life.

Materials:

4ply Shetland wool or equivalent:

Actual amounts used are listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only, given that different brands may differ slightly. The yardage of the yarn used is 215m/236yds per 50g.

Black: 58g White: 35g Note: The lining is knitted with Black yarn.

Knitting Needles:

One set of double-pointed 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles are suggested for knitting the cowl. Alternatively, you may use a circular knitting needle of the same size and of a suitable length, if preferred.

Measurements: (unstretched)

One size: Circumference 8 inches (20cm) by length 11.5 inches (29cm)

Tension:

Approximately 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm over the pattern.
These gauntlets will fit most hands comfortably and have a degree of stretch in them. Please check your tension, as you may wish to consider using a smaller-sized needle if you have small hands.