About FUBC #1

This shawl is one of two designed in response to Susan’s diagnosis in 2016 with stage 3 breast cancer. Originally created to fund raise for a local cancer charity, the two patterns together raised over £2000 for the charity. In response to demand, both patterns are now once again available to purchase. FUBC #1 evolved as a design in an extremely organic way; with Susan designing on the needles following her personal brief to create a shawl reminiscent of a sheep’s horn, wrapping around the wearer’s shoulders. This shape was chosen to represent Susan’s experiences as a shepherd, observing and caring for her small flock of rare and native breed sheep.

FUBC #1 is worked from the top edge with a little over a third of the final stitch count cast-on. As the knitting progresses a series of spines are created using yarn overs creating the central body of the shawl. Once this section has been completed the fun really begins with a short row section worked to create the sweep of the shawl. Finally a transition to a ribbed section brings the shawl to completion. The shawl is knitted in garter stitch throughout which means no additional action is needed when working the short row sections, the work is simply turned and continues in the opposite direction.

FUBC #1 was originally knitted in two colours of Ghyll, however these hand-dyed shades have long since sold out, so Susan has reknitted the shawl using her Bluem Sock yarn, using the beautiful hand-dyed shade of Herb Garden alongside Buttermilk; the warm natural cream shade of the undyed sock yarn. This yarn is a slightly lighter weight than the yarn originally used and as a result creates an extremely pleasing, more open fabric.

Sizing
369cm x 36cm (145-14in) At outer wingspan

Yarn
Susan Crawford Bluem Sock (fingering weight), 75% Bluefaced Leicester wool/25% nylon (400m / 437yds per 100g skein)
1 skein, shade Buttermilk
1 skein, shade Herb Garden

Gauges
17.5 sts and 36 rows = 10cm(4in) measured over garter stitch knitted flat, before blocking.
17 sts and 28 rows = 10cm(4in) measured over garter stitch knitted flat, after blocking. We obtained gauge using 5mm needles.

Suggested Needles
5mm (US 8) circular needle (100cm in length)

Techniques
Lace stitches - yarn overs, knitting stitches together
Short row shaping
Blocking to shape

A yarn kit is available for this pattern.