In the days before lorries and haulage sheep were moved on foot by drovers. A drover was someone whose job it was to move livestock from one place to another, including sheep, cattle and geese. Drovers walked their flocks on the drift from the places they were raised to market or their new owner. Drift or dryft is old English for the act of driving or droving sheep. Often covering huge distances, from Norfolk to London along ancient routes down grassy drove roads. It was a dangerous occupation. Journeys could be beset by misfortune, robbers, murderers, thieves and knaves. But mutton was in demand in ever increasing amounts as the urban population grew and money flowed.

DESIGN NOTES

Drover is a neat unfussy sweater featuring a cabled front panel, saddle shoulder with a plain knitted back and sleeves. The cable panel has two motifs that make me think of the winding drove roads and the flocks of Norfolk Horns. It is worked bottom up starting with a twisted rib hem and cuffs. Front, back and sleeves are worked separately and seamed. The hem is left open at the sides for a rather natty finish, alternatively if you prefer a more traditional finish this can be seamed closed.

Designed by

Jenn Monahan

SIZING

Finished chest circumference 86 (98, 103, 115, 128, 139, 144, 156, 168) cm | 34(38, 40½, 45¼, 50½, 54½, 56½, 61½, 66) in

Sizing guidance
All measurements given for actual garment measurement. Ease is your preference. Shown in size giving 5 cm (4 in) of positive ease.

YARN

Fibreworkshop Norfolk Horn DK (100% Norfolk Horn wool; 120m |130 yd per 50 g skein) 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 14, 16, 17) skeins

YARN SUBSTITUTION
Design requires a DK weight yarn

GAUGE

21st and 30 rows to 10cm / 4in over stockinette with larger needles
23sts and 31 rows to 10 cm / 4in over cable pattern with larger needles

NEEDLES

3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles
3.75mm (UK9 /US 5 ) needles
Needle sizes a guide. Change needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS

stitch holders or waste yarn

Large darning needle