DALRIADA yoked sweater is knitted from the top down using Jamieson & Smith’s 2 Ply Jumper Weight yarn. After the rib neckband, German short rows are used at the back neck before working the colourwork yoke. Top-down construction allows the knitter to try the jumper on at an early stage, and there is no need for grafting as the sleeve undera...

THIS sweater design was inspired by the traditional sweaters made since the 1850s in the coastal village of Korsnäs in western Finland. Unlike the original Korsnäs sweaters found in Finnish museum collections, which are partly crocheted and partly knitted, this sweater is completely knitted in the round, and steeks have been used at the arm and...

A traditional Shetland stitch pattern has been adapted for this loose-fitting stranded colourwork slipover design, which is knitted with rich jewel tones of green, heathery brown and golden orange. The colours were inspired by the colour palettes of the 1930s and 40s. Though designed for women, this slipover would also work as a unisex garment.

THIS COLOURWORK slipover is knitted in the round, using Jamieson & Smith’s 100% Shetland wool and a stitch pattern reminiscent of traditional tartan fabrics. Steeks are used at the neck and arm openings. The slipover has a relaxed fit which is perfect for layering. Though designed for women, this slipover would also work well as a unisex ga...

For these mittens, I have used a stitch pattern based on an ancient looped square symbol known in several cultures from North America to Northern Europe. The mittens, which are knitted using the Finnish yarn Tukuwool Fingering, have braided cuffs and side seam thumb gussets, and the striking yet easy-to-knit colourwork stitch pattern continues ...

“This blanket-type colourwork dog coat is knitted in the round with Shetland wool, using steeks at the front and neck openings,” says Outi Kater. “The coat is closed with buttons at the neck, and kept in place with a belt under the belly. Dogs come in all sizes and shapes, so all measurements are easily adjustable, but remember that this

Colours often found in traditional Nordic knitwear have been used for these legwarmers, which are worked from the top down. The pattern can be converted into a short boot topper by omitting the leg shaping and instead working rounds 4-16 of Chart B once more, before working the ribbing.

Klaksvik children’s raglan sweater design has been inspired by traditional Faroese fishermen’s sweaters. It is knitted in the round using 100% Shetland wool in five vibrant vintage shades. The body, which is first knitted up to the arm openings, is joined with the sleeves to work in the round, and raglan decreases are used to form the yoke.

Runrig hat and glove design has been inspired

Elma is a lightweight yoked sweater which is knitted with Shetland wool from the bottom up. Before working the colourwork yoke, German short rows are used to raise the back neckline. The underarm stitches are closed by grafting them together. The pattern includes instructions for both the short rows and for grafting.

Aurelia legwarmers are knitted using traditional Fair Isle stitch patterns in rich autumnal colours of Jamieson & Smith’s pure Shetland wool. They are worked top down in the round, and corrugated ribbing has been used at the knee and at the ankle. The legwarmers are slightly shaped for a better fit.

This yoked sweater for children is knitted from the bottom up using Shetland wool in vibrant shades of green, yellow and cream. The front and back of the sweater are identical - no short-row shaping has been used - so it is easy for children to put on by themselves.

Worked top down, these men’s socks are ideal for wearing with hiking boots. They have square heels worked in reinforced heel stitch, and the toe shaping is done in twelve places on each decrease round, which results in a round toe that doesn’t require grafting.

Glendale hat is knitted with 100% Shetland wool,

Out of the Woods cowl is knitted first in openwork, using moss stitch and an intricate slip stitch pattern consisting of just 10 rows, which are repeated throughout, only ever using one shade of yarn per row. The collar is then picked up and worked in the round in rib, holding the yarn double. The pattern includes instructions for two different...

This pattern has previously been published in The Knitter magazine issue 160 under the name Mälaren.

Storr hat and fingerless mittens are knitted from a woollen-spun mix of Bluefaced Leicester and Shetland wool, plant-dyed on the Isle of Skye. The colourwork pattern is mostly knitted using two colours per round. There are a few rounds that are knitted with three colours, which makes this an interesting challenge.

This bright and timeless children’s sweater has been knitted in the round using Novita’s soft sportweight yarn Nalle. The body and sleeves are worked in stocking stitch, and then joined to work the yoke in stranded colourwork with two shades. Nalle is available in a range of bright and classic colours.

This hat and mitts set features a delicate, traditional Estonian colourwork pattern which gives an impression of knitted lace. The hat pattern comes in two sizes and the mittens in one size, but if a bigger mitten circumference is preferred, a slightly larger needle size can be used.

This design in two shades of blue uses a vertical floral stitch pattern throughout, reminding of a garden in the moonlight. The vest is knitted in the round with extra steek stitches to create ‘bridge’ fabric which is cut to create the arm and neck openings. If Shetland wool is used, there is no need to strengthen the steeks with machine stitch...

A simple Nordic stitch pattern has

In Finnish folklore the Northern Lights are believed to be caused by foxes running in Lapland and sending sparks up into the sky when their tails hit the snow, hence their local name ‘fox fires’.

The stranded colourwork pattern of this hat is complemented by four-colour corrugated ribbing; the crown shaping is achieved using centered double decreases. This design, which comes in two sizes, uses small amounts of each shade of the yarn, so it is ideal for using up leftovers in your stash.

The stitch pattern on these stranded colourwork gloves echoes the designs of traditional 19th century American patchwork quilts. There are two rounds of braiding at the cuffs, while the fingers are knitted in plain stocking stitch.’

Kahvi coffee cosy design was inspired by stitch patterns used in traditional Finnish festive gloves, knitted mainly in the 1800s in southeastern Finland. The coffee cosy keeps coffee warm in cafetières and can also be used for small teapots.

Herring, which once was called the ‘silver darling’ in English speaking fishing communities, has for hundreds of years provided a source of livelihood for the coastal communities from the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. In Silver Darlings Beanie, which celebrates this humble fish, nineteen stylized herrings swim in the sea that rip...

Antidote Mittens are knitted with five cheerful shades of Shetland wool. The pattern includes instructions for three different options: traditional mittens, fingerless mitts and fingerless mitts with a flap. The last option gives you a chance to learn a braided two-colour cast on.

**Materials**

Ultima Thule Legwarmers echo the traditional crafts of

This tam pattern comes in two sizes and there is a matching fingerless mitten pattern available.

Rosepath sweater design was inspired by and named after a folk weaving technique that has been used in Nordic countries since the 16th century, especially for weaving rugs and wall hangings. The sweater has been designed with 4 – 6.5 cm positive ease, and the generous armhole depth makes it slightly oversized in style.

Wooden Flower Mittens were designed for the Shetland Wool Week 2016 “Mittens From Finland” workshop.

Arhippa is an old Karelian name meaning ‘the master of horses’. The stitch pattern in Arhippa Mittens was inspired by traditional Karelian weaving and knitting patterns, that are thought to have their origin in ancient mythology. Many of these patterns depicted horses and giants, that later developed into giant trees, or into a ‘tree of life’. ...

Snaefrid Legwarmers are knitted top down in the round and they are slightly shaped. They can be knitted without shaping, which results in looser fit around ankles and will require more yarn than stated. The pattern includes instructions for three sizes.

Sizing

A pair of knitted sock cuffs from Eastern Karelia, held in the collections of the National Museum of Finland, was the source of inspiration for the design of Journeyman Mittens. The mittens have got two-colour ribbing which is often found in traditional Shetland knitwear.

Sizing

The word ‘thrift’ comes from Old Norse, meaning prosperity. Thrift is also another name for sea pink, a small plant growing in abundance on the sea cliffs and shores of Shetland.

The word ‘thrift’ comes from Old Norse, meaning prosperity. Thrift is also another name for sea pink, a small plant growing in abundance on the sea cliffs and shores of Shetland.

The entire sweater is knitted in colourwork in the round, thus avoiding the need to work purl rows. Extra steek stitches are cast on at arm openings and neck opening and the waste fabric that these stitches create is later cut open.

The stranded colourwork stitch pattern used in Nordur mittens are based on Faroese fishermen’s sweater patterns. The mittens are knitted with double knitting weight Foula Wool and they have braided cuffs often used in traditional Nordic knitwear.

Jack’s Jacket is a dog coat that will keep your best friend happy and warm in a cold winter’s day. It has been knitted in the round with an allover colourwork pattern, using steeks at front and neck openings.

Xylitol Mittens can be knitted either as traditional mittens, as fingerless mittens or as mittens with flap. The pattern includes instructions for all three options.

Mix Your Own Colours Tam with pompom is knitted using two different shades of Shetland Jumper Weight yarn at the same time, giving the knitter an opportunity to create an endless amount of different marled shades. The pattern includes suggestions for three different colour combinations.

Alva legwarmers can be worn with leggings or skirt or as gaiters over trousers with hiking boots. They are knitted top down in the round and are slightly shaped. The pattern matches at the top and bottom thirds of the garment but not in the middle, which is one of the traditional ways of knitting long stockings - and very liberating! The legwar...

The ornamental pattern on Thordale Fingerless Mittens has been adapted from a traditional Norwegian colourowrk motif.

Finnish Midwinter Ski Hat is knitted in the round into a rectangular shape without any complicated shaping. The top of the hat is finished using the three-needle cast-off method.

Sizing

These mittens were designed for my nephew who is a musician and a descendant of at least one 19th century Finnish herdsman.

Booklore Kindle Cover is a small project where you can practice the basics of colour-stranded knitting, including three-needle bind off used on sweater shoulders, and blocking which is essential for the knitting to achieve its shape and for bringing out the pattern.

The deep blue sea with its white horses has been the inspiration for this fingerless mitten pattern, another inspiration coming from the fantastic colours of this wool.

Sizing

The pattern on the body of this tam is based on an old weaving motif from Finland, depicting horses and giants, or giant trees. The history of the highly abstract motif can be traced back to Norse mythology.

The wheel pattern with plant leaves on the crown of this tam is a reminder of the glorious colours nature displays in different seasons: golden autumn leaves, red winter berries and hot pinks and reds of spring and summer, against the backdrop of some evergreens.

The simplest of all stranded patterns, the vertical stripe, gets jazzed up by a flurry of little stars.

A traditional Finnish mitten motif has been combined with a crisp monochrome wheel pattern and ribbing to create this timeless tam and mitten set.