The Kelpie is the Scots name given to a mythical water horse that was said to haunt Scotland’s lochs and lonely rivers. It is said that it appeared as a horse but was able to adopt human form. However, some accounts state that the Kelpie retained its hooves when appearing as a human.
The Kelpie would appear to its victims as a lost dark grey or white pony but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. It would entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down to a watery grave. It was a story told to children to warn them against approaching wild horses and water when they were out and about.
My latest design…The Kelpies Cosy Cowl, is named after these mythical creatures of scary Scottish stories. My two Kelpies are rising out of the water, their manes dripping, as they come ashore amongst the thistles and the bracken! On the cover of the pattern, I have set them against the background of Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeod Clan, on the shores of Loch Assynt in the north-west Highlands of Scotland and a favourite holiday destination of
mine as a child.
The colour work front layer and the plain-coloured stocking-stitch lining inside this cowl are knitted separately. The two layers are then knitted together to join them and finished off using an I-cord bind-off technique, which gives the cowl a smooth corded edge. This cowl is light as a feather, yet incredibly warm because of the double thickness. It features two borders of rolling waves, which frame the two Kelpies, the Thistles and the Bracken(or Ferns). Both layers are knitted in the round, so there are no seams and only knit stitches are required. The pattern requires only 2 colours to be used at the same time. There are long floats to the rear of the patterned front, but these become trapped inside the lining, giving you the option to catch up or not.
Some experience of fair isle or stranded colour work is needed for this pattern, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.
I do hope you enjoy knitting it and watching your Kelpies come to life..