Castlemilk Moorit natural brown wool mittens

For those days when it's really cold, and you need your hands fully covered, I have knitted these cosy mittens using British Castlemilk Moorit wool. This lovely caramel brown is not achieved with dyes; it is the natural colour of the soft wool from which they are made.

I have knitted them with a ribbed cuff to slip under your coat to keep the draughts out. This is the simplest plain design, with no fuss or frills. Whether making snowballs or carrying shopping, these will keep your fingers warm. The sweet little "Roses Workshop" brand label is laser etched faux leather.

They measure 25cm (10 inches) long including the cuff, 20cm (8 inches) for the hand section, 10cm (4 inches) across the palm. The knit is stretchy enough to fit most average adult hands.

More gloves and mittens can be found here: Gloves and Mittens.

The pretty little Castlemilk Moorit sheep is one my favourite British Rare Breeds that I am proud to support.

History of the Castlemilk Moorit sheep.

In the early part of the twentieth century, the late Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding programme on his Castlemilk Estate in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
Using Manx Loaghtan, moorit Shetland and the wild Mouflon he developed a breed specifically to beautify his parkland and provide fine, kemp free moorit coloured wool to clothe his workers.

Following his death in 1970 the flock was mostly culled. However, a few ewes and two rams were saved in two small groups. All today’s Castlemilk Moorits are descended from these two groups. 

The RBST lists the breed as "vulnerable", (500 - 900 animals). For more information on the survival of these pretty sheep see
http://www.rbst.org.uk/Rare-and-Native-Breeds/Sheep
http://www.castlemilkmooritsociety.co.uk