Somerled
This is a hap of the kind traditionally made in Shetland (and elsewhere in Scotland) for christenings or other special occasions. It is constructed in borders-in fashion, features three simple openwork motifs, and can be made in any weight of yarn, at any gauge. Such haps make great gifts to mark special occasions — I designed this hap for my mum, to celebrate her 70th birthday. It is the third of a trio of ‘celebratory’ patterns in the Inspired by Islay collection, and is named for Somerled - the charismatic leader who shaped the Norse-Gaelic culture of the medieval western Isles.

Size
Finished size when blocked 127 x 127 cm (50 x 50 in)

Yarn
Buachaille (100% Scottish Wool; 110m 120yds per 50g skein). Shown here in shades Furze (yellow) and Ptarmigan (natural white). 9 x 50g skeins

Gauge
20 sts and 26 rows over st st worked back and forth, using gauge-size needle. In sample, a 5 mm needle was used. Gauge is not crucial for this pattern, but whatever your gauge, you will need to go down one needle size when working the centre, and remember that any significant
variation in gauge will affect the quantity of yarn required.

Needles and notions
Gauge-size needles for working edging
150cm 60in Gauge-size circular needle for working border
60-80cm 24-32in Below-gauge-size circular needle for
working centre
3 Spare circular needles 60-80cm 24-32in long for holding border sts
Crochet hook of similar size to gauge-size needle(s). Stitch markers. Tapestry needle. Waste yarn (for provisional cast on)

Construction notes
The lace edging is knitted back and forth as a long strip, the ends of which are joined by grafting. The border is then picked up along the straight side of the edging, and a floral motif is worked over a reverse stockinette background. The hap centre is worked back and forth in a simple openwork pattern, joining a stitch to the borders at the end of every row. When the centre is grafted to the remaining side of the
border, the hap is complete.