Many people know of Wester Ross in Scotland as a place hard-hit by the Highland clearances of the 19th century. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were forcibly removed from the land, to make way for sheep grazing, which was more profitable for the landowners. Many left Scotland for ever, travelling to America and Canada to start new lives there.

They left behind a harsh, beautiful and alluring landscape which is still largely empty and unpopulated.

I took a trip to Wester Ross last year, and was blown away by what I saw there. I’ve been thinking about it off and on ever since, and this sweater is my evocation of the landscape and colours of this part of Scotland.

This sweater is available in teen and adult sizes. It’s designed to fit in a relaxed, comfortable way and comes with a choice of cuff length - regular or extra long with thumb holes.

The patterning, which appears on the Front only, is fully charted. The sleeves fit into the body with a long saddle, which also forms a back yoke (see photos).

My testers tell me that it suitable for an adventurous beginner or intermediate knitter.

More information:

Yarn Used: Noro Kureyon, 100% wool worsted weight yarn. For long cuff version you will need; 930 (1020, 1111, 1210, 1403, 1517) mts/1017 (1115, 1215, 1323, 1534, 1659) yds. For regular cuff version you will need; 835 (920, 1005, 1104, 1290, 1400) mts/ 913 (1006, 1100, 1207, 1410, 1530) yds. Any worsted weight yarn can be used to complete this design.

The original sweater was made in colourway 148.

Needles: 5.5 mm/U.S. 9 straight; set of four 5.5 mm/U.S. 9 DPNs or circular needle for neck band; 6 mm/U.S. 10 straight.

Other Tools and Supplies: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Tension/Gauge: 16 sts and 23 rows measures 10 cm/4 in in Stst using 6 mm needles; 20 sts and 23 rows measures 10 cm/4 in in cable pattern, using 6mm needles.