Inspired by the wild beauty—and wool—of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Sian’s circular yoke features bands of slip-stitch patterns that recall the sights of those islands: crashing waves, stone walls that divide the fields, flocks of hardy sheep, and cleits (small huts made of stacked stones) that dot the slopes of the neighboring islands of St. Kilda.

The yoke’s slip-stitch motifs might look intricate, but they are actually quite simple to knit. Only one color is worked per round, so there’s no need to carry two strands of yarn at once. Choose from two body styles: a longer A-line shape, or one that’s straight and slightly cropped.

The pattern contains notes on customizing the design to suit your style or available materials, and includes a handy chart showing bust circumferences at a range of gauges.

Garment circumference at bust
(31¼ 34½, 37½, 40) (44, 47¼, 50½, 53½) (56, 59¼, 62½, 65½)“
[79, 87.5, 95.5, 101.5] [112, 120, 128, 136] [142, 150.5, 158.5, 166.5 cm]

Suggested ease
+ 3 to 5” [+ 7.5 to 12.5 cm] at bust, + 1½ to 2½“ [+ 4 to 6.5 cm] at biceps
Shown in size 5, worn with 6” [15 cm] of positive ease at bust, 3” [7.5 cm] at biceps.

Yarn
MAIN COLOR: Uist Wool Sian DK, natural grey Zwartbles & Cheviot blend; 251 yd [230 m] per 100 g skein

A-line body
(3, 3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6, 7) skeins; or
(620, 680, 730, 830) (930, 980, 1060, 1140) (1270, 1360, 1440, 1510) yds
(570, 620, 660, 760) (850, 900, 970, 1040) (1160, 1240, 1320, 1380) m
of a DK weight yarn.

Straight cropped body
(3, 3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) skeins; or
(570, 620, 670, 760) (850, 910, 970, 1050) (1150, 1230, 1310, 1380) yds
(520, 570, 610, 700) (780, 830, 890, 960) (1060, 1130, 1200, 1260) m
of a DK weight yarn.

and

CONTRAST COLOR: Uist Wool Conntraigh, color-changing blend of natural grey Hebridean & Cheviot wool; 257 yd [235 m] per 100 g skein

(1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins; or
(130, 140, 150, 180)(200, 210, 230, 250)(270, 290, 310, 330) yds
(120, 130, 140, 160)(180, 190, 210, 220)(250, 270, 290, 300) m
of a DK weight yarn.

Gauge
20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette, on Size A needles, after blocking.

20 sts and 38 rows = 4” [10 cm] in slip stitch patterns,
on Size A needles, after blocking. Gauge is averaged over the various patterns in the yoke.

Needles
Size A, for stockinette and slip-stitch patterns
One circ, 32” [80 cm] long or longer, in size needed to obtain gauge listed for stockinette.
Suggested size: US 7 [4.5 mm].

Size B, for cast-on and ribbing
One circ, 24” [60 cm] long or longer, two sizes smaller than Size A.
Suggested size: US 5 [3.75 mm].

Size C, for neckband
One circ, 24” [60 cm] long, four sizes smaller than Size A.
Suggested size: US 3 [3.25 mm].

Questions? Please visit the Sian pattern discussion thread in the Blue Bee Knits group.