This Harlequin sweater design was created in 1984 for my knitwear company Gooden Gansey in Devon, England. It is inspired by the chequered costume of the comic mischievious character of the Italian Commedia dell’arte, a multi-coloured patchwork of colour.

The design mirrors the playfulness of Harlequin, who traditionally carried a “slapstick” - a magic wand that could change the scenery of the play. Speaking in regional dialect, skipping and turning cartwheels he brought playfulness and joy – there are eight colours in this pattern, so have fun!

To fit sizes 34 - 48, each with approximately 2ins ease.

This pattern is written for 4 ply shetland yarn (either hand knit or standard gauge knitting machine).

For the very best choice of colours I recommend Jamiesons Spindrift 100% Shetland wool, which is a 2ply yarn equivilant to a tradtional 4ply. For hand knitters it comes in 25g Balls of around 105m / 115 yds. Also available on cones for machine knitters.

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