In praise of gloves

Cycling back from Dumfries in a snowstorm today with frozen feet, thinking "what doesn't kill me will make me stronger.." :-)

Very glad that I was wearing ski gloves and at least had nice warm hands.

These half-finished gloves are from a kit which Sarah and I had as Christmas presents. They are in the Sanquhar 'Duke' pattern. This type of knitting is done on 1.5mm needles and used for gloves and stockings. Traditional patterns include Rise, Coronet, Drum, Cornet ' s pattern, Midge and Flea, Shepherd's plaid and Fleur De Leys. The last of these has links to the Napoleonic prisoners of war billeted in Sanquhar in the 19th century. The wearer's initials are usually worked into the cuff of the gloves.

Until the 1960's, glove knitting was taught to girls at Sanquhar Academy.