Angharad Thomas designed these gloves as a tribute to the skilled glove knitters of both the past and present, making use of a variety of techniques.

The Magpie Gloves owe a debt to anonymous knitters long dead, to those such as Mary Allen (1857–1924), the skilled glove knitter from Yorkshire, and to many makers very much alive! These gloves combine old and new elements—from Yorkshire, England; Sanquhar, Scotland; Kihnu Island, Estonia; and elsewhere—to make a fun-to-knit project. The gloves’ use of color reflects those found in old gloves, mittens, and socks all over Europe that have been knitted through the years—a strong dark-and-light contrast and a touch of red for luck.

Materials:

Baa Ram Ewe Pip Colourwork, 100% British wool yarn, fingering weight, 4 ply, 126 yard (115.2 m)/25 gram (0.9 oz) ball, 1 ball each of #008 Coal (A), #001 White Rose (B; natural), and #009 Wesley Bob (C; dark red)

Needles, 2 size 3 (3.25 mm) circ 24 inches (60 cm) or set of 4 or 5 double pointed size 3 (3.25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Stitch markers

Waste yarn in similar weight and contrasting color for stitch holder