Jovi Mittens : knitting with qiviut

In February, I published a mitten pattern with Windy Valley Muskox.  It takes about 1 1/2 skeins of this fabulous yarn so you'll have to buy two.  Of course, you could make the cuffs longer!  I'm thinking I need a version with fingers (aka gloves).  It's on the back burner, for the moment.  

In the meantime, let me tell you how lovely it is to work with qiviut!  It is one of the softest fibers, definitely the lightest, and so warm for the weight; it's best as a light layer under others, and luxurious close to the skin.  Sometimes, people misunderstand and think that qiviut comes from the inside coat (I'm not sure how to imagine that), or the underbelly of the muskox; that's because it is often described as the "under coat."  What this actually means is that it's the down layer, and grows during the cold months, closer to the skin, all over the animal; it's like down feathers on a duck.  I worked for WVM for several years, designing patterns, providing technical support, photography, lots of little odds and ends.  Qiviut can be hard to find and pricey, but this yarn, their Majestic Blend, (15% qiviut, 80% wool, 5% silk) makes buying it a little more affordable, while still yummy to knit.  Although, I warn you, stopping to pet the fabric can slow you down!

I understand that 100% qiviut is actually machine washable, as it doesn't have scales and won't felt or shrink, but I've never thrown my qiviut in the machine.  It is handmade, after all; I don't want to find out the hard way that I didn't weave the ends in well!  The wool in some blends is NOT machine washable but can be soaked and blocked.  

I've stepped down from my position at WVM to spend more time with my growing boys, but I'm still a fan and will be knitting with their yarns every chance I get.  And luckily I've got a decent stash of it.

Does it go without saying that it makes great gifts?

Have you worked with luxury yarns?