I live in the west of Scotland and developed the idea for this design across on the ferry to Islay, one of my favourite Hebridean locations. On my frequent trips there, I often find that Westering Home – Hugh Roberton’s famous 1920s song – pops into in my head, and it seemed an appropriate name for this cosy cabled garment.

Where are the folk like the folk of the west?
Canty and couthy and kindly, the best
There I would hie me and there I would rest
At hame with my ain folk in Islay

The photographs were taken on a ‘westering’ journey, out through Argyll toward Inveraray, on to Kennacraig and the Islay Ferry, and finally at Kildalton on the island of Islay itself.

Westering Home is a large, loose, coat-like garment worn with positive ease. To create the wrapped opening, each front is doubled to the same width as the back, and the yoke shaping is accomplished by working decreases between the cable panels. Carefully blocking the bottom of the garment more than the top, lends this design some swing, allowing the cable and rib panels to fall in a slightly pleated manner. The fronts can be worn open or doubled across the body and depending on the amount of ease preferred, can be adjusted and buttoned to suit.

Sizing
Three sizes to fit bust 30-36 (38-42, 44-48) in.
Length to underarm: 19 in all sizes (flexible)
Sleeve length: 18 in all sizes (flexible)
Upper arm circumference: 13½ (15¾, 17¾) in
Yoke depth 8¼ (9, 10¼) in
Width at neck (unbuttoned) 24¾ (27¼, 28¾) in

Yarn
Artesano Aran (Aran weight; 50% superfine alpaca; 50% Peruvian highland wool; 132m / 144yds per 100g skein)
Shade 6807 (Nightfall) 12 (14, 15) skeins

Needles and notions
Two sets of 100cm / 40in gauge-size circular needles
Gauge-size needles of your preferred type for working small circumferences for the sleeves
Cable needle
Stitch markers
Waste yarn in a similar weight
Tapestry needle
3 x 5cm/ 2in buttons

Gauge
This pattern has three size-dependent gauges and it is essential to swatch carefully.
Size 1: 20 sts and 24 rows to 10cm / 4in over reverse stockinette on 4.5mm (UK 7 / US 7) needles. 24 sts of cable panel to 9cm / 3½in.
Size 2: 17 sts and 22 rows to 10cm / 4in over reverse
stockinette on 5mm (UK 6 / US 8) needles. 24 sts of cable
panel to 10cm / 4in.
Size 3: 15 sts and 19 rows to 10cm / 4in over reverse stockinette on 5.5mm (UK 5 / US 9) needles. 24 sts of cable panel to 11.5cm / 4½in.

You may wish to read my blog post about creating this design