Shetland Skies by Mary C. Gildersleeve

Shetland Skies

Knitting
February 2020
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette, worked in the round and blocked, over the colorwork
US 4 - 3.5 mm
50 - 2340 yards (46 - 2140 m)
M/L - 52" hem circumference; XL/XXL - 60" hem circumference
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

This pattern is the result of a really fun #NorthernLightsKAL … requirements were to use colors reminiscent of the Northern Lights (“merrie dancers”) or inspired by them. This poncho is the result!

• This poncho, sample shown on a size 38-bust woman, comes in two sizes:
o M/L (36”-38” chest) = 52” hem circumference
o XL/XXL (40”-44” chest) = 60” hem circumference
o The directions for the larger size are shown in (); if just one number, this applies to both sizes
• This design starts at the cowl-collar, worked in the round in a traditional Shetland lace version of the classic “feather and fan”
• Short-rows are worked on the back below the lace cowl pattern to allow the back neck to sit higher than the front
• The stranded colorwork is done as a traditional yoke-design, but this one is from the top down (increasing either side of the “tree” pattern).
• Make sure you keep the contrast color either always in your weaker hand (if you can knit colorwork two-handed) or always below the MC.
• Floats of un-used color should be loose but not messy. If spanning more than 5 or 6 sts, catch with contrast yarn but ensure not pulling tightly. Keep floats neatly so that the inside looks almost as nice as the outside

Colors used in the sample:
2-ply fingering 100% wool in 14 shades (sample used Jamieson & Smith’s 2-ply Jumper Weight – 125yds/25g skeins) in following colors/amounts:
o MC – Shade 21 – approx 1250 (1500) yds – use coned-yarn to avoid extra ends
o P1 – F22 mix – approx 50 (60) yds
o P2 – 72 mix – approx 60 (72) yds
o P3 – 133 mix – approx 60 (72) yds
o P4 – 123 mix – approx 60 (72) yds
o P5 – FC56 – approx 60 (72) yds
o P6 – FC14 – approx 60 (72) yds
o B1 – Shade 91(bright gold) – approx 50 (60) yds
o B2 – Shade 23 (light yellow) – approx 50 (60) yds
o G1 – FC24Mix – approx 50 (60) yds
o G2 – 118 – approx 50 (60) yds
o G3 – 65 – approx 50 (60) yds
o G4 – 47 – approx 50 (60) yds
o G5 – 34 – approx 50 (60) yds