Shetland folklore sweater
Lovely heathery shetland yarn sweater in a double knitting weight yarn. This is an example of early eighties "folklore style" but retaining classic shaping. [You can see the late seventies / eighties styling in the photo with the sweater worn tucked into pleated/gathered trousers].
Instructions.Instructions for larger sizes are given in brackets. When working the colour pattern from the chart, strand yarn not in use
loosely across the wrong side of the work over not more than 3 stitches
at a time in order to keep the fabric elastic. Back‡‡ Next row: Rib 8 [9, 9, 11, 11] m1; (rib 18 [19, 20, 21, 22], m1) 5 times, rib to end. (113 [119, 125, 133, 139] sts). Change to No 8 (4mm) needles and joining in and breaking off colours
as required, work in pattern from chart A, repeating the 10 pattern stitches
11 [11, 12,
13, 13] times across, and working
the first Keeping the continuity of the pattern, shape armholes, by casting
off 3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease 1 stitch
at each end of the next 5 rows, then on every alternate row until 89 [95,
101, 107, 113]
stitches remain. Work straight in pattern until Back measures 22½ [23,
23½, 23½, 24]
inches, (57 [58, 60,
60, 61]cm), ending with right side
Shape shoulders by casting off 9 [9,
10, 11, 11]
stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows, then 8 [10,
10, 10, 12]
stitches at the beginning of the following 2 rows. FrontWork as for Back from ‡‡ to ‡‡. Work straight in pattern until 14 [14,
14, 16, 16]
rows fewer than on Back have been worked before start of shoulder shaping,
thus ending Keeping the continuity of the pattern, shape neck as follows: Continue on these 35 [37, 39,
41, 43] stitches for the first side,
decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge on the next 9 rows. Work 4 [4, 4, 6, 6] rows. Shape shoulder by casting off 9 [9,
10, 11, 11]
stitches at the beginning of the next and following alternate row. With right side facing, slip centre 17 [19, 21, 23, 25] stitches on a length of yarn, or stitch holder, and rejoin appropriate colour to remaining stitches: k2tog, pattern to end. Complete to correspond with first side, reversing shapings. SleevesWith No 10 (3¼mm) needles and MS, cast on 49 [51,
53, 55, 57]
stitches and work in k1/p1 rib for 2 inches, (5cm), rows on right side
having a k1 at each end, and ending with wrong side facing for next Next row: Rib 6 [6, 7, 6, 7] m1; (rib 12 [13, 13, 14, 14], m1) 3 times; rib to end. (53 [55, 57, 59, 61] sts). Change to No 8 (4mm) needles and joining in and breaking off colours as required, work in pattern from chart B repeating the 10 pattern stitches 5 [5, 5, 5, 6] times across, and working first 1 [2, 3, 4, 0] stitches, and last 2 [3, 4, 5, 1] stitches on knit rows, and first 2 [3, 4, 5, 1] stitches and last 1 [2, 3, 4, 0] stitches on purl rows as indicated, shaping sides by increasing 1 stitch at each end of the 13th and every following 7th [7th, 7th, 7th, 6th] row until there are 75 [77, 81, 83, 87] stitches, taking the increased stitches into the pattern. Work straight until sleeve seam measures approximately 17½ inches, (44cm), ending with the same pattern row as on Back before the start of the armhole shaping, thus ending with right side facing for next row. Keeping the continuity of the pattern, shape top by casting off
3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Now decrease 1 stitch at each end of every row until 27 stitches remain. Cast off. Making UpOmitting ribbing, press parts lightly on wrong side following instructions (if any) on the ball band. Join right shoulder seam. Work in k1/p1 rib for 2 inches, (5cm). Join left shoulder seam and Neck Border. |
Materials50g balls Shetland DK in 6 colours: main shade plus 5 contrasts: Pair each No 8 (4mm) and No 10 (3¼mm) needles. Tension23 stitches x 30 rows to 4 ins (10cm) in stocking stitch on No 8 (4mm) needles. Size mattersTo fit chest 32 [34, 36,
38, 40] inches, (81 [86,
91, 97,
102]cm); Abbreviationsk2tog or p2tog: knit or purl 2 stitches together (decrease one
stitch). A word on the woolThe original design was in Patons Fiona - a yarn I was very fond of both in quality and rich colour range. It was a standard DK; some information given on the web implies it was slightly thicker than that but the tension given here suggests slightly thinner! In the 1970s it was sold in 50g balls: 175 yds/160m meters); 51% wool, 49% acrylic. In my opinion a similar substitute would be Rowan Felted Tweed DK. "Always check your tension" [Good Advice]. Disclaimer
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