Contrasting textures add an extra dimension to the simple, elegant colourwork pattern of Tempered. Matte against lustrous; tweedy recycled silk/merino/cashmere against the sheen and halo of kid mohair/silk: the yarns dance together to create an airy, soft fabric that plays with the light.

Tempered is worked in the round in stranded colourwork starting from a provisional cast on, and finished with a 3 needle bind off on both ends. For this pattern, you will need to know how to do stranded colourwork, read a colourwork chart, make a provisional cast on and do a 3 needle bind off. The stripes make it easy to adapt Tempered to suit your style: add buttons and buttonholes (or not: you can just overlap the stripes and sew the buttons to both layers), or leave out however many stripes you like, and graft the ends together for a double loop cowl.

Yarn:

Shibui Knits Pebble (48% recycled silk, 36% fine merino, 16% cashmere; 224 yds/205m per 0.88 oz/25g); Fog (Colour A): 2 skeins; Graphite (Colour C): 2 skeins, AND

Shibui Knits Silk Cloud (60% kid mohair, 40% silk; 330 yds/300m per 0.88 oz/25g); Suit (Colour B): 1 skein; Tar (Colour D): 2 skeins

OR A: 444 yds/406m; B: 203 yds/186m; C: 266 yds/243m; D: 436 yds/399m

Needles: US3/3.25mm 16 in/40cm circular, or size needed for correct gauge, + spare needle in the same size for 3 needle bind off

Notions: Yarn needle, scrap yarn, US D/3.25mm crochet hook (if using crocheted provisional cast on), stitch marker

About the yarns: Shibui Pebble is a tweedy, slightly nubbly, light fingering/3-ply weight yarn. Its 2-ply construction lets it open up with blocking, while its high silk content gives it excellent drape. The silk, merino, and cashmere of Pebble make for a soft, drapey yarn with a matte finish—the silk is recycled, which breaks up the fibre’s surface and reduces its sheen—and a slight halo.

Shibui Silk Cloud is a laceweight, kid mohair/silk blend with incredible loft and a very high halo. Both fibres give this yarn a beautiful lustre, while the mohair fills in the spaces around the stitches, allowing the yarn to be knit at a loose gauge for a light, airy fabric. Silk Cloud is very light and drapey, with no memory or bounce.

If substituting yarns for this project, look for fine yarns (heavy lace to light fingering or 2- to 3-ply weight) with good drape and contrasting texture. Yarns that develop at least some halo or fuzziness after blocking will fill in the stitches and give the fabric a cohesive look.