scottish wool – Black Isle Yarns

6th July 202229th December 2023 Julie

The enormous and cosy Eanaich Shawl is designed by Tyne Swedish as as part of the Perspectives Collection. When you can’t be with your loved ones, knitting is a way to hold them close. Think of someone as you stitch and those memories will burst forth every time you pick up your project; later the warmth of your friendship will enrich the warmth of your shawl.

You can purchase the Perspectives Collection as a whole in book format directly from my website as a print book (with digital download code) or as a digital download (the collection includes five other lovely patterns – the Rothiemurchus Cowl by Mieka John, the Pityoulish Vest by Emily K Williams, the Balvattan Mittens by Julia Billings, the Feshie Shawl by Maddie Harvey and the Inshriach Hat by me).

Perspectives is a design collection inspired by the landscape and wool of the Highlands. Going outside can bring you closer to your inner self. Rooted deeply in the Scottish landscape, these six patterns using naturally dyed Scottish wool take inspiration from outdoor adventures and inward exploration.

The traditional stitches and construction of a hap shawl – a seed stitch rectangle bordered with a feather and fan lace – create a family keepsake to treasure for generations. Choose just two colours for classic style, or paint an exuberant rainbow.

As well as full skeins of Auchen Sport there are also mini skein sets for the Eanaich Shawl.

Eanaich Shawl by Tyne Swedish in Auchen Sport (photo by Jeni Reid)

Sizes
One size

Length: 177cm / 70.75 in
Depth: 102 cm / 40.75 in

Tension
15 sts and 30 rows over 10 cm / 4 in, in seed stitch

Block your swatch according to the finishing directions before measuring. The tension is not critical for this project, but will affect the amount of yarn used and the size of the finished shawl.

Techniques
Provisional cast-on, knitting in the round, picking up stitches, lace knitting, splicing (optional), decrease cast-off

Notions
Tapestry needle
8 stitch markers
Waste yarn and crochet hook for provisional cast-on
Spare circular knitting needle, 3.5 mm or smaller

Needles
3.5 mm circular needles, 150cm / 60 in cable length

Yarn
Version 1:
MC: Haar; 2 x 110g skeins, 1 x 50g skein
CC1: Sand; 1 x 50g skein
CC2: Gold; 1 x 50g skein
CC3: Damson; 1 x 50g skein
CC4: Pearl; 1 x 50g skein

Version 2:
MC: Moss Green; 2 x 110g skeins
CC1: Haar; 2 x 110g skeins

6th July 202229th December 2023 Julie

The cosy Balvattan Mittens are designed by my lovely friend Julia Billings. A winter’s break in one of the most beautiful glens of Scotland brought into focus the subtle, repeating lines found in snow-bearing clouds and luminous winter sunsets. These echoing lines found in nature, while often irregular like the stacked silhouettes of mountains and ripples in water, allow our eyes to rest in a very particular way.

You can purchase the Perspectives Collection as a whole in book format directly from my website as a print book (with digital download code) or as a digital download (the collection includes five other lovely patterns – the Rothiemurchus Cowl by Mieka John, the Feshie Shawl by Maddie Harvey, the Pityoulish Vest by Emily K Williams, the Eanaich Shawl by Tyne Swedish and the Inshriach Hat by me).

Balvattan Mittens are designed in the round in stocking stitch, the mitts are then turned inside out to highlight the texture of its reverse side. With a long cuff and dense, flannel-like fabric to keep the wind out, a comfortable shaped thumb gusset and rounded peak, these simple, practical mittens fit easily in the pocket of a walking jacket.

As well as full skeins of Auchen Sport there are also mini skein sets for Balvattan Mittens.

Balvattan Mittens by Julia Billings in Auchen Sport (photo by Jeni Reid)

Sizes
1 (2, 3)

Shown in sizes 1 and 3 with zero ease.

Circumference: 17 (19, 21) cm / 6.5 (7.5, 8.5) in
Length: 28 (29, 30) cm / 11 (11.5, 12) in
Length from fingertip to thumb joint: 13 (13.5, 14.5) cm / 5, (5.25, 5.75) in

Tension
30 sts nd 40 rows over 10 cm / 4 in, in stocking stitch.

Block your swatch according to the finishing directions before measuring.

Techniques
Backwards loop cast-on, long-tail purlwise cast-on (optional), knitting in the round, reading charts, picking up stitches.

Needles
2.75mm circular needles or DPNs.
Choose needles according to your preference for working small circumferences in the round.

Notions
Tapestry needle
2 stitch markers
Waste yarn or stitch holders

Yarn
Version 1 (size 1):
MC: Haar; 1 x 50g skein
CC1: Pearl; 1 x 30g skein
CC2: Damson; 1 x 30g skein

Version 2 (size 3):
MC; Dark Indigo; 1 x 50g skein
CC1: Light Indigo; 1 x 30g skein
CC2: Brick; 1 x 30g skein

Note: The mitts are worked inside out, with the wrong side facing. MC and CC1 can be carried up the front of the work (wrong side) when not in use. CC2 should be broken and rejoined each time it is used.

Alternatively, spit splice the yarn at each colour change.

6th July 202229th December 2023 Julie

The beautiful Feshie Shawl is designed by Maddie Harvey as part of the Perspectives Collection. The sensory shock of wild swimming – icy water, splashes, currents and warm sun on skin – commands your full attention even as it refreshes and restores you. This shivering charge inspires a shawl that uses lace and texture to suggest the meandering tributaries of Highland rivers, their small islands and inlets and even their smooth pebbles.

You can purchase the Perspectives Collection as a whole in book format directly from my website as a print book (with digital download code) or as a digital download (the collection includes five other lovely patterns – the Rothiemurchus Cowl by Mieka John, the Pityoulish Vest by Emily K Williams, the Balvattan Mittens by Julia Billings, the Eanaich Shawl by Tyne Swedish and the Inshriach Hat by me). Additionally Maddie has released Feshie as an individual pattern and you can purchase it directly from Maddie’s Ravelry or Payhip.

The Feshie Shawl’s lacy sections are set against opaque garter stitch and waving stocking stitch columns. The shawl is knitted from side to side in two halves, joined together with a three- needle cast-off after the knitting is complete.

Feshie Shawl by Maddie Harvey in Auchen Sport (photo by Jeni Reid)

Sizes
One size

Length: 264 cm / 104 in
Depth: 78 cm / 30.75 in

Tension
18sts and 21 rows over 10 cm / 4 in, lace pattern.

Block your swatch according to the finishing directions before measuring. The tension is not critical for this project, but will affect the amount of yarn used and the size of the finished shawl.

Techniques
Reading charts, lace knitting, 3-needle cast-off (instructions provided)

Notions
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers (optional)
1 spare needle, 4.5 mm or smaller

Needles
4.5 mm needles
5.5 mm needle

Yarn
2 x 110 g skeins

Shown in Raspberry in version 1 and Haar in version 2.

Feshie Shawl in Auchen Sport Haar (undyed) and Raspberry (cochineal)

Feshie Shawl by Maddie Harvey in Auchen Sport

6th July 202229th December 2023 Julie

The Pityoulish Vest is designed by Emily K Williams as part of the Perspectives Collection. My lovely friend Emily’s design uses simple lace to suggest rippling waters on a relaxed top that is perfect for a walk on those days that aren’t quite as warm as they might be.

You can purchase the Perspectives Collection as a whole in book format directly from my website as a print book (with digital download code) or as a digital download (the collection includes five other lovely patterns – the Rothiemurchus Cowl by Mieka John, the Feshie Shawl by Maddie Harvey, the Balvattan Mittens by Julia Billings, the Eanaich Shawl by Tyne Swedish and the Inshriach Hat by me).

Pityoulish is worked from the top down, casting on for the back with the shoulders and neck shaped using short rows in the garter yoke. Once the back is worked to the armholes, stitches are picked up for the front yoke. After joining in the round at the underarm the remainder of the body is knit in the round. Stitches are picked up for the cap sleeves, which are gently shaped using short rows in garter stitch.

Pityoulish Vest designed by Emily K Williams in Auchen Sport, photo by Jeni Reid

Sizes
Modelled in Size 5 with 15 cm/6 in positive ease at full bust, and in Size 2 with 10 cm/ 4 in positive ease at full bust.

Bust circumference: 87.5 (98, 109, 120, 131, 142, 152.5, 163.5) cm / 35 (39.25, 43.75, 48, 52.25, 56.75, 61, 65.5) in

Tension
22 sts and 32 rows over 10 cm / 4 in, in stocking stitch using larger needles.

Block your swatch according to the finishing directions before measuring.

Techniques
Knitting in the round, reading charts, lace knitting, short rows, picking up stitches

Notions
Tapestry needle
2 stitch markers
2 lockable stitch markers
Waste yarn or stitch holders

Needles
3 mm circular needles
3 mm double-pointed needles (optional)
3.5 mm circular needles

Yarn
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) x 100g skeins

Shown in Haar in size 2 and Dragon in size 5.

Errata for Pityoulish Vest.

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