A print version of Langsoond - A Shetland Yarn by Donna Smith is also available here.

Leydin Shawl
A skylark sang invisibly in the blue sky one beautiful morning last summer as I sat at the open back door and worked on this shawl. The skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a widespread visitor to Shetland in the summer months, when it breeds before leaving again later in the year. The sound of the skylark singing always evokes feelings of fine weather and long sunny days and is a very typical feature of a summer’s day in Shetland. A small bird at less than 20cm long, its fine brown striped markings are reminiscent of the colours used in the shawl. Ledyin is one of the names for this bird in Shetland dialect, the name stemming from the Old Norse word ‘ledi’ meaning ‘high vantage point’.

Pattern Notes
This shawl features sections of lace and garter stitch, and is worked from the bottom towards the top. It can be knitted in two colours, like the sample, or in a single solid colour. If working the shawl in one colour, simply ignore the colour changes.
If working the two-colour version, you can keep the yarn attached when changing shades in the garter stitch section, but be careful not to pull them too tight at the ends of the rows. When you reach the horseshoe lace sections, you should break Shade A rather than carrying it up over too many rows.

Size
One size:
174cm (68.5in) wingspan x 78cm (30.75in) depth

Yarn
Langsoond Double Knitting (100% Shetland Wool, 220m (241yds)/100g skein)

Sample colours:
Shade A: Shetland Black (Dark Brown); 2 skeins
Shade B: Moorit (Mid Brown); 3 skeins

Gauge
18.5 sts and 24 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch and lace pattern, after blocking.

Please check your tension carefully and adjust your needle size accordingly.

This sample was knitted in size 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) needles.

Needles and Notions
Circular needles of your preferred length for working a large number of stitches (suggested length of 80cm, but you may want to reduce the length of the cable as you work your decreases)

Stitch markers
Tapestry needle