We’ve got precisely three weeks to go until the official kick off of our #ShetlandTrader3KAL, and we can hardly wait… though, I’m going to be honest, I’m also happy to have a bit of time to clear some projects off my needles! There are so many patterns to love in this newest book from Gudrun Johnston, so over the next few weeks, we’re going to be diving in and taking a closer look at what you’ll find in those lovely pages. Today, it’s all about the sweaters!

Willapund

If you are looking to add a Fair Isle garment to your hand knit wardrobe, but feeling intimated by knitting a whole jumper in 4ply, well, Willapund might be a great place to start. With a scoop neck and slightly cropped silhouette (which is, of course, easily lengthened) it’s the perfect piece for adding some colourwork pizazz to an outfit, no sleeve knitting required. I particularly love the really modern feel of the Fair Isle motifs! This would be a great project for upgrading your steeking skills (and we’ve got a video for that). Like all the sweaters in the book, Willapund covers 10 sizes (covering chest circumferences from 81.5 cm-149 cm [32 in-58 3/4 in]). We’ve got yarn kits for both colourways in stock, ranging in price from £32.45-£50.45.

Maywick

Shetland has, of course, a really strong lace tradition, and I can’t get enough of this Maywick sweater! It features razor shell lace worked in four colours, so it’s a great option if you want to play with the shades of Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight or Shetland Supreme, but don’t fancy stranded colourwork at the moment. I’ve got to admit, I’m sorely tempted to cast on Colourway 2 … I’ve got a favourite pair of orange dungarees that are a very similar colour to the one the model wears in the left photo, and I love the idea of having such a fabulous hand-knitted sweater to layer with them! You’ll find kits for Maywick here! (Prices range from £44.65-£70.45).

Bunaberry

Bunaberry is a fun cropped sweater (again, easily adjusted!) featuring gentle balloon sleeves, two neck options (chose from turtleneck or crew neck) and two different Fair Isle options for the bands on the sleeve. I love the idea of this project for someone who is newer to colourwork since the motifs feature on the cuffs alone. Otherwise, there’s lots of relaxing plain knitting to enjoy! We are currently sold out of one colourway in the kits (sniff) but if you have your heart set on it, drop us a line and we can let you know when it comes back into stock. (Kits range from £47.20-£72.85.)

Vair

Can’t decide whether to go for a colourwork or lace project? With Vair you can have your cake and eat it too. This is the sweater featured on the book’s cover, and the design that inspired the whole collection. Gudrun gives us so many options with this sweater: type of sleeve (straight or balloon); type of neck (crew or turtle) and options to knit single colour or striped lace for the body. So much scope for customisation! You’ll find kits for Vair in the online shop … do be mindful when ordering that you select the correct size and styles! (Kits range from £44.25-£61.65.)

You can order The Shetland Trader Book Three: Heritage over in the online shop, where you’ll also find all the yarn kits for the book. Fancy putting together your own colourway using J&S 2ply Jumper Weight or Shetland Supreme? You’ll find a quick guide to yarn quantities for the sweaters discussed here below. Please note these yarn quantities are given in terms of 25 g balls of J&S 2ply Jumper Weight; if you go for 50 gram balls of Shetland Supreme, you will need to make appropriate adjustments. And we’d love to hear what you’re thinking over in our ST3 Pre-Knitalong Chat topic over in The Knitalong Hub! Happy planning!

Willapund Yarn Requirements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Recommended to be worn with approx 0–2.5cm / 0–1" of positive ease.
Bust circumference of the finished garment: 81.5 (90.5, 95, 104, 108.5, 117.5, 126.5, 135.5, 144.5, 149)cm / 32 (35½, 37¼, 41, 42¾, 46¼, 49¾, 53¼, 57, 58¾)"

Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (fingering / 4-ply-weight; 100% Real Shetland Wool; 115m / 125yds per 25g ball)
MC: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9) balls
CC1: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) balls
CC2: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) balls
CC3: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) balls

Maywick Yarn Requirements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Recommended to be worn with approx 2.5–5cm / 1–2" of negative ease.
Bust circumference of the finished garment: 81.5 (89, 96.5, 104, 111.5, 119, 126.5, 134, 141.5, 149)cm / 32 (35, 38, 41, 43¾, 46¾, 49¾, 52¾, 55¾, 58¾)"

J&S 2ply Jumper Weight
MC: 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls
CC1: 3 (4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) balls
CC2: 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) balls
CC3: 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls

Bunaberry Yarn Requirements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Recommended to be worn with approx. 0–2.5cm / 0–1" of negative ease.
Bust circumference of finished garment: 82 (90.5, 98.5, 107, 115, 123.5, 131.5, 140, 148.5, 156.5)cm / 32¼ (35½, 38¾, 42, 45¼, 48½, 51¾, 55, 58¼, 61¾)"

Four colour version (has sufficient yarn for turtleneck)
J&S 2ply Jumper Weight 
MC: 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) balls
CC1: 1 ball
CC2: 1 ball
CC3: 1 ball

Six colour version (has sufficient yarn for crew neck, if a turtle neck is required, please purchase 2 extra balls of MC)
J&S 2ply Jumper Weight 
MC: 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 19, 21, 22) balls
CC1: 1 ball
CC2: 1 ball
CC3: 1 ball
CC4: 1 ball
CC5: 1 ball

Vair Yarn Requirements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Recommended to be worn with approx 0–2.5cm / 0–1" of negative ease.
Bust circumference of finished garment: 81.5 (89, 96.5, 104, 111.5, 119, 126.5, 134, 141.5, 149)cm / 32 (35, 38, 41, 43¾, 46¾, 49¾, 52¾, 55¾, 58¾)"

Three style options are provided here, and use the following yarn quantities (all given for 2ply Jumper Weight, where Shetland Supreme is required, numbers of balls will vary):

Striped body with balloon sleeves and turtleneck
MC: 10 (11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16) balls
CC1: 1 ball
CC2: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls
CC3: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls
CC4: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls

Striped body with balloon sleeves and crew neck
MC: 9 (9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14) balls
CC1: 1 ball
CC2: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls
CC3: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls
CC4: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls

Plain body with straight sleeves and turtleneck
MC: 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) balls
CC1: 1 ball
CC2: 1 ball
CC3: 1 ball
CC4: 1 ball