Quiraing Mittens

“But memories are old ghosts; Mountains of black and gold; Sunsets falling over the moor; Oh take me there” Calum MacDonald / Rory MacDonald, “Skye” from Heartland (Runrig, 1985)

The Quiraing (A’ Chuith-Raing in Gaelic) is the name of a dramatic topographical feature of the Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye, where natural dye company Shilasdair Yarn are based. The Quiraing Mittens sample have been worked in two shades of their beautiful Smuid 4ply yarn.
Using Shilasdair Yarn’s gorgeous Instagram grid as the inspiration (in particular, their photographs of The Quiraing with sunlight peeking through the clouds), the dramatic Skye landscape is reflected in the design’s broken rib, with the light taking the form of a flash of colour at the mittens’ cuff and through the eyelet patterning on the back of the hand.
As well having as an aesthetic appeal, the contrast- coloured lining also makes the mittens super cosy – perfect for a walk on The Quiraing.

Matching Cowl also available, either separately or as part of a specially discounted bundle

CONSTRUCTION
Both the LH and RH liners and outers are worked with the thumb on the LH side (with BOR on RH side). Due to the different position of the broken rib patterning between the LH and RH mittens, when both are finished, they will fit as LH and RH mittens, with the thumbs in the correct position!
The length of the mittens is adjustable (as is the thumb length) – just be sure to maintain broken rib pattern during hand decreases as much as possible, paying attention to the number of rounds worked during the decrease section for your size.
It is also possible to work the mittens without the liner (using approximately half the required yarn) - further notes included in pattern.

YARN
Shilasdair Yarn, Smuid (4ply; 175m / 191 yds per 50g; 75% BFL / 25% Gotland)
MC: 50g in Natural
CC: 50g in Tansy (yellow)

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
2.5mm DPNs / preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round
2.75mm DPNs / preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round
5 stitch markers:1 for BOR & 2 x 2 distinct markers
- 2 to mark the back of hand patterning (mP)
- 2 to firstly mark thumb gusset increases (mT), then mark hand decreases (mD)
For provisional cast on: crochet hook (approximately 2.75mm) and waste yarn (also for placing sts on hold) - cotton or something smooth works best
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
26 sts x 38 rnds = 10 cm / 4” measured over stocking stitch on larger needles

SIZES
1 (2, 3) designed to fit a hand circumference of approximately 17 – 18.5 (18.5 – 20, 20 – 21.5) cm / 6.75 – 7.25 (7.25 – 8, 8 – 8.5)”
See schematic in photos for details. Sample knitted in a size 2 and shown on hands with circumference of 19.5 cm / 7.75”.

SKILLS / PATTERN ATTRIBUTES
adult or teen 
unisex
chart (with written equivalents)
schematic
video-tutorial
written-pattern
in-the-round
kitchener stitch
lace stitches
modular construction
provisional cast on (fully explained)
broken rib