The Shieling

This modular blanket (a welcome addition to any shieling, hut or summer house) features a thistle motif, familiarly used on the signposts and way markers for Scotland’s West Highland Way.

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% Wool; 30% Mohair; 100m / 109yds per 25g ball)
A: Hirst; 20 x 25g balls
B: Stockiemuir; 4 x 25g balls
C: Campion; 5 x 25g balls
D: Gloamin’; 5 x 25g balls
E: Garth; 3 x 25g balls
F: Horseback Brown; 2 x 25g balls

Needles and Notions
Gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working small circumferences
Above gauge-size needle (5 or 6 sizes larger than gauge-size needle) for working 3-needle bind off
2 gauge-size circular needles, 150cm / 60in length for joining blanket strips.Stitch marker. Tapestry needle

Gauge
28 sts and 36 rounds to 10cm / 4in over stranded colourwork pattern using gauge-size needle(s)
One square to measure: 25.5x25.5cm / 10x10in after blocking. Work a single square for gauge swatch
Gauge was achieved with 3.25mm / US 3 needle. Above gauge-size needle used for the 3-needle bind off was 5.5mm / US 9

Size
Finished blanket: 140x165cm / 55x65in

Special techniques
Blocking and joining blanket squares
I-cord bind off ; 3-needle bind off

Pattern notes
Each square is knitted in the round from the border inward. The squares are vigorously blocked, joined into strips using a 3-needle bind off and each strip joined to the next to create the blanket. A garter stitch border with mitred edges is then worked in four pieces around the blanket before finishing off with i-cord. When these four small seams are joined the blanket is complete.