The Sanquhar pattern is a variety of patterns developed over the years since the 1700s in Sanquhar, a small town in Dumfriesshire. Traditionally the main colours were black and white, with red lining, and usually highly contrasting colours. ‘Dambrod’ means ‘checkerboard’ in Scots and this distinctive pattern is always made up of 11 sts and 11 rounds, which is unique to Sanquhar designs. There was also a 9-round ‘spot’ pattern where a name could be added to the wrist of gloves or the top of stockings.

This pattern, created especially for the Coronation of the new King, is new and written in a modern way, yet it is in keeping with the beautiful traditional patterns. I took the Prince of Wales pattern, enlarged it and put the dambrod around the design, like the crowning of the king.

Sanquhar gloves were traditionally knitted on 5 ‘wires’, but any preferred method of knitting in the round is suitable.

Both the mittens and cowl are worked in the round from the bottom / cuff up, then cast off at the top. Some steek sts are added on one side of each mitten to allow for a thumb opening to be cut when steeking at the end.

SIZES
Mitts
One of the more unusual things about traditional Sanquhar Knitting is the use of different needles to control the sizes, instead of changing the st count for each size

Mitts Sizes 1 (2, 3)
Finished length: 18.5 (19.5, 21.5) cm / 7.25 (7.75, 8.5) in
Finished circumference: 17.5 (19, 21) cm / 6.75 (7.5, 8.25) in

2.25mm (2.5mm, 3mm) short circular needle (20–25 cm) OR set of dpns OR 80 cm long circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size needed to match tension.

Cowl
Cowl One size
Finished circumference: 56 cm / 22 in
Finished depth: 23 cm / 9 in

2.25mm circular needle 40 cm / 16 in long OR set of dpns OR 80 cm long circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size needed to match tension.

YARN
Wee County Yarns Kinross 4 ply, 100% Superfine Lambswool, 205 m / 224 yds per 50g skein.

APPROXIMATE YARDAGE REQUIRED
Mitts
MC Snowdrop (shade 11): 56 (62, 74) m / 61 (68, 81) yds
CC1 Black (shade 17): 95 (106, 127) m / 104 (116, 139) yds
CC2 Mary (shade 13): 15 (16, 19) m / 16 (17, 21) yds

Cowl
MC Snowdrop (shade 11): 205 m / 224 yds
CC1 Black (shade 17): 205 m / 224 yds
CC2 Mary (shade 13): 62 m / 68 yds

OR in a tight worsted spun 4-ply weight yarn which knits to the specified gauge and has similar stitch definition.

TECHNIQUES
Knitting in the round, following colour chart, steeking.