Mucagan is the Gaelic word for rosehips. Literally, it means “piglets”. How that came about, I am not sure. Maybe somebody thought that rosehips look like happy, well-nourished little pigs?
Whether you want to gather rosehips or pet the piggies, these mittens will keep you warm!

They are also a super quick and fun project, which can teach you several interesting techniques: i-cords, a folded hem, a welt (there is a whole photo tutorial for that!) and two pretty little slip stitch patterns that are way easier than they look.

You can pick a fingerless version or one with short fingers, both can be combined with a folded hem or an i-cord finishing on the cuff, and with a two or three colour version of the hand pattern, which of course can be modified with even more colours!
Thus the pattern is great for using up leftovers, you really just need a few grams of each colour.

Sizing / yarn requirements:
The instructions include 4 sizes, which cover a wide range of hand sizes from child to adult.
For yarn quantities in the different versions and sizes, see bottom picture.

Yarn advice:
The original mittens were knit with Hampshire 4ply by The Little Grey Sheep (420 m / 460 yards per 100g).
The pattern is suitable for all kinds of fingering weight yarn. Woollen spun, rustic sheep wools are particularly recommended for warm, lightweight mittens with good stitch definition.

Hampshire 4ply is available in mini skeins of 84 m / 92 yards per 20g. Three of these skeins are more than sufficient for one pair of mittens, and if you make the first size in the fingerless version – or the second size with a slightly shorter cuff – you can even get two pairs out of three skeins.
A five skein set (420 m / 460 yards per 100g) will provide more colour options to play with, and will produce two pairs in any of the listed sizes.

Needle advice:
Use the needle size that gives you the required gauge, most likely 2 - 3 mm / US 1 ½ - 2 ½.
For the version with the folded hem, a needle that is one or two sizes smaller than the main needle is also required.
The mittens are worked in the round. The pattern is not written for a specific type of needle (dpns, magic loop, etc).