Summer Travels Part 2 - Fiacaill Ridge

On to part two! 

This is a series of five knitting patterns inspired by my travels in the Scottish Highlands this Summer. The first pattern was a cowl inspired by the colours of the hills at Abriachan - you can read more about it here!

Our second pattern is inspired by a traverse of the Fiacaill Ridge, an imposing rocky traverse in the Cairngorms:

It looks more scary as you climb higher as well! 

Having said that, once you're at the top of the ridge, it's very flat indeed on the Cairngorm Plateau.

Something I'm not used to at all after climbing so many West Coast munros - bit more of a jagged landscape. And we managed to spot the Cairngorm reindeer which was a real treat:

But back to the knitting: the pattern this inspired would have to be cosy - it's chilly up there! So I designed a cardigan with a warm shawl collar to wrap up in, in super-insulating alpaca and silk yarn. 

Alpaca fibres are hollow, to trap extra heat (they spend a lot of time up chilly mountains too...) so it's the perfect choice for cold weather garments. The design is inspired by the rocky terrain too - with a block pattern at the back made with smocking stitches. 

  Available to purchase on 

Ravelry 

Etsy 

Craftsy

20% discount on Ravelry with coupon code SUMMERTRAVELS2 until end of December 2017

The details for the pattern are as follows:

Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Alpaca, Wool and Silk DK (45% Alpaca, 25% Merino, 30% Silk; 274yds/250m per 100g)

820 (950, 1095, 1250, 1420, 1580, 1750, 1930) yards.

750 (870, 1000, 1145, 1300, 1445, 1600, 1765) m 

Measurements:

To fit bust: 30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52, 54-56, 58-60)”

Across back armpit to armpit: 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29)”

Armpit to hem: 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5)”

Around top of sleeve: 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)”

Sleeve length: 17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19)”

Gauge: 17sts and 26 rows = 4”/10cm in stocking st with US 7/4.5mm needle after blocking.

Needles: One US 7/4.5mm 40”/100cm circular needle.

Extras: Two detachable stitch markers; cable needle; spare 40” circular needles (size US 7/4.5mm or smaller) for holding stitches or waste yarn in a contrast colour; tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends.

 

Mountain Everlasting Sweater

Introducing my latest pattern, Mountain Everlasting Sweater:

A classic fitted sweater with sheer and solid stripes. We alternate between airy, lightweight mohair silk lace yarn used by itself and held together with a buttery soft 4ply blend of merino and silk. This sweater is light as a feather, like wearing a fluffy cloud, but it certainly excels at keeping the chill at bay! You can replace the 4ply yarn with any yarn of this weight, but we really would recommend using a mohair silk blend for the laceweight yarn. This sweater is seamless and knitted from the top down, and the sleeves are worked from picked up stitches around the armhole and shaped with short rows. Instructions for 10 sizes are given: to fit bust 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56)”.

And it's available at a 50% discount on Ravelry for the next week (until April 12th) with the coupon code "Mountain50"! As well as this, the pattern will be running as a KAL in my group, with a free pattern for everyone who finishes and posts pictures, and a prize draw for a skein of handspun yarn if you finish before the end of June. Discount code “MountainKAL” for 25% off valid until end of June.

And here's the knitty gritty:

Measurements 
To fit bust: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56)”. 
0.75-1.75 inches of ease around bust dependent on size. 
Armpit to hem: 18 (18, 18, 22, 22, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26)”. 
Around top of sleeve: 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)”. 
Sleeve length from armpit: 14.5 (14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)”.

Yarn 
Laceweight: Shibui Silk Cloud, Colourway Graphite (60% kid mohair, 40% silk; 660 yds per 50g): 
850 (930, 970, 1250, 1310, 1375, 1450, 1850, 2000, 2175)m 
930 (1020, 1060, 1370, 1435, 1505, 1590, 2030, 2190, 2380)yds. 
And 4ply: Shibui Staccato, Colourway Graphite (65% superwash merino, 35% silk; 191yds per 50g): 
360 (390, 415, 540, 560, 580, 620, 800, 850, 920)m 
400 (430, 460, 595, 620, 640, 685, 880, 935, 1010)yds.

Needles 
One 5mm / US 8 40”/100cm circular needle.

Gauge 
16 sts and 24 rows = 4” in stocking st with both yarns held together using 5mm/ US 8 needles.

Extras 
Waste yarn, 6 detachable stitch markers, spare 40” circular needle (size 5mm / US 8 or smaller).