This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch In Time Volume 3 - The Colourwork Edition

Jackdaw is a fascinating colourwork pattern first published as a single sized pattern in the 1940s. The design is inspired by the Nordic knitwear trend, which became increasingly popular through the late 1940s. This unusual example features a two-colour slip stitch lower body pattern which is duplicated on the sleeves. A bold Fair Isle pattern is then worked at the beginning of the upper body before a striking pictorial upper yoke pattern is worked. This bird and flower motif uses a combination of intarsia, Fair Isle and duplicate stitch techniques.

The pictorial section is worked flat, while the lower body, sleeves and Fair Isle motifs are worked in the round.

As multiple colours are worked on the main pictorial yoke, we recommend duplicate stitching much of the detail onto the knitted pieces once knitting has been completed - clear charting instructions are included to assist with the placement of these duplicate stitches.

Jackdaw has three lower length options included in the pattern and is easy to customise the length, likewise the sleeves include three length options and are knitted downwards so can easily be adjusted to achieve the perfect fit.

Jackdaw is knitted using Susan Crawford Excelana North fingering weight a soft, fingering weight 100% British wool, spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan and her team. Shown here using shades; Limestone Charcoal Sunflower Icelandic Moss and Ruby Red.

Our model Charlie is shown wearing the 3rd size to fit 92-97cm (36-38in) chest.

The pattern includes instructions for nine sizes to fit chest measurements between 71cm (28in) and 152cm (60in) and contains both clear written pattern directions, together with charted instructions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

A yarn kit is available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Excelana North fingering weight
100% British wool, 75% Cheviot, 25% Bluefaced Leicester (159m / 174yds per 50g skein approx)
Short Length
5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9) skeins, shade Limestone
3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins, shade Charcoal

Medium Length
5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins, shade Limestone
3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins, shade Charcoal

Long Length
6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) skeins, shade Limestone
3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins, shade Charcoal

All Lengths
1 skein, shade Sunflower
1 skein, shade Icelandic Moss
1 skein, shade Ruby Red

Gauge
28 sts and 34 rows = 10cm (4in) over intarsia and duplicate stitch pattern, Fair Isle pattern and stocking stitch, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 3mm needles.
28 sts and 46 rows = 10cm (4in) over slip stitch pattern (main body), after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles.
If necessary, use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested needles

Small needles
2.5mm (US 1) circular needles (40cm and 80—100cm in length) and 2.5 mm (US 1) DPNs

Medium needles
3 mm (US 2) circular needles (30—40cm and 80—100cm in length)

Large needles 3.25 (US 3) circular needles (30—40cm and 80—100cm in length) and 3.25 mm (US 3) DPNs

Notions
Waste yarn
Stitch markers
Removable stitch markers

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Following a chart
Slip-stitches
Duplicate stitching
Combination Fair Isle and Intarsia technique
Steeking