Solas Biorach

The inspiration for this design came from reading an old account of a sailor encountering the swirling colours of St Elmo’s Fire (a luminous electrical corona) as he returned home one dark night, to Achintraid. He referred to the phenomenon in Gaelic as Solas Biorach - spiky light.

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% Wool, 30% Mohair; 100m / 100m / 109yds per 25g ball)

A Bruce: 12 (14, 16) x 25g balls
B Smirr: 2 (4, 5) x 25g balls

Plus 1 ball of each of the following shades:
C Ardlui
D Tarbet
E Ardnamurchan
F Foxglove
G Cranachan
H Asphodel
J Cowslip

Needles and Notions
Gauge-size and below gauge-size circular needles of appropriate lengths for working body, yoke, and neckline
Gauge-size and below gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working small circumferences
Stitch markers
Waste yarn for holding stitches
Tapestry needle
(Optional) ribbon or tape for finishing steek edges

Gauge
30 sts and 34 rounds to 10cm / 4in over colourwork in the round using gauge-size needle. If your gauge tends to tighten when working small circumferences, you may need to go up a needle size for sleeves. Use 3mm needle as a starting point for swatching.

Sizes
Finished bust circumference (with bands worn open): 138 (162.5, 186.5) cm / 54¼ (64, 73½) in

This is an oversized garment with a roomy, easy fit. Select the size above your actual measurements with the amount of ease required. Shown on Iona and Claire in the first size.

Pattern notes
This slightly cropped allover cardigan begins by knitting two pocket flaps. The cardigan is then cast on and joined for working in the round, with a steeked front opening. A colourwork section is worked, before joining the two pocket flaps to the top of the band and continuing to work the body in a simple, four-stitch allover pattern. The body is shaped to extend the underarms and shoulder line, and two steeks are added for the armscyes. When the upper body is completed, the steek stitches are bound off and the shoulders joined with a three-needle bind off. Armscye steeks are cut, then sleeves are worked top down, before the front steek is cut and a ribbed band is worked all around the front opening. Finally, the pocket tops receive a neat i-cord finish, and pocket flaps are stitched into place. (Note that the pockets are optional, and can be omitted if preferred).