Shamrocks And Thistles for Celtic Whistles:

These padded whistle bags, adorned with Irish Shamrocks and Scottish Thistles, are knitted in wonderfully soft lambswool and have a stocking stitch lining, inside their colour-work outer layer. They have I-Cord drawstring tops, which are finished off with Shamrock and Thistle tassels.

The whistle bags are knitted in one piece. The outer, patterned layer is knitted first. Then a hem at the top of the whistle bag creates a space for the drawstring fastening. The whistle bags are completed by knitting the lining, before making an I-Cord drawstring with Shamrock or Thistle tassels.

Some experience of fair isle or stranded colour work would be useful for this pattern, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.

Materials:

4 ply / Fingering Shetland lambswool or equivalent:

Actual amounts used are listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only, given that different brands may differ slightly. The yardage of the yarn used: 246m / 270yds per 50g.

For Shamrock whistle bag:
Cream: 15g Gold: 10g Green: 24g

For Thistle whistle bag:
Cream: 15g Gold: 10g Green: 24g Purple: 10g

Knitting Needles:

One set of double-pointed 3.00mm / US 2-3 knitting needles are suggested for knitting the whistle bags. Alternatively, you may use a circular knitting needle of the same size, if preferred. A Tapestry needle and large safety pin are also required

Measurements of completed whistle bags:

Completed whistle bags measure 14 ins / 35cm in length and 2.5 ins / 6 cm in width

Tension:

Approximately 28 stitches and 36 rows to 4 ins / 10cm over the pattern (unstretched).