This summer our daughter is sailing a Tall Ship around the islands of Scotland with her best friend who is herself from the remote harbour town of Ullapool. They have been writing letters to one another since they were seven years old. On their great adventure they will dock at Ullapool and later the Orkneys, Fair Isle and Shetland. I am especially excited to know she will meet the knitters of Fair Isle, who are planning to barter with the crew of the ship with their famous knitting. This tam represents the incredible changes of light that can be seen flashing across the surrounding mountains of Loch Broom, more especially the glowing tips of the waves (on the brim) and the star-like sun setting over the Summer Isles (as the wheel).

To make the tam as traditional as possible I used Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift yarn (a 2 Ply yarn that knits up like 4 Ply) and one ball of Jamieson & Smith 2ply jumper weight.
A tam is knitted with a ribbed opening, then one row of increased stitches, then as a simple straight tube followed by a star-like decrease at the crown. It is only after blocking over a dinner plate (about 25cm diameter, 10 inch) that is takes on its distinctive shape.

Yarn
Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift (only partial balls are needed):
183 Sand (natural)
186 Sunset (dusky pink)
187 Sunrise (dark russet red)
198 Peat (dark brown)
243 Storm (a moody greyish blue)

I also used one ball of Jamieson & Smith Shetland Wool 2ply Jumper Weight
- Shade: 121 (muted yellow).
Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift’s 390 Daffodil would make a good substitute for this yarn.
Both yarns are interchangeable.

Needles
2mm (US size 0) double pointed needles (or circular of length 40cm, 16 inches)
3mm (US size 2.5) circular needle of length 40cm, 16 inches
3mm (US size 2.5) double pointed needles
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Errata:

The Ribbing should read:

Ribbing
Begin by casting on 144 stitches of storm onto your 2mm (size 0) needles. If using dpns, divide stitches