This exquisite Fair Isle cardigan is suitable both for experienced Fair Isle knitters and also for any knitter wanting to tackle a Fair Isle garment for the first time.

The cardigan is knitted in the round from the bottom up and features the use of steeks, a traditional method of knitting an additional panel into the work that is cut open when required. Full instructions and photographs are provided within the pattern for how to steek and also how to knit Fair Isle. Once the body of the cardigan is knitted the sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole and the sleeves are then knitted downwards. The cardigan is very simply shaped to enable the knitter to focus on their Fair Isle technique. The same motif patterns are used throughout the design, again making it easier to build up familiarity and confidence during the knitting process. Any shaping or casting off is done on plain knit rows so there is no pattern to worry about at the same time.

Bowland is knitted in Excelana 4ply which is the perfect yarn for Fair Isle knitting. It is 100% British wool which works beautifully in colour work. The colours used in Bowland are Sweet Chestnut, Alabaster, Nile Green, Damson Wine, Land Army Green and Dark Mandarin.

The pattern includes both written and charted instructions and comes with technique tutorials on steeking and two handed fair isle.

You can read more about the original design and about alternative colourways on my blog.

Pattern includes 5 sizes to fit the following chest measurements: 76-81cm (30-32in); 86-97cm (34-38in); 107-112cm (42-44in); 117-122cm (46-48in); 127-132cm (50-52in)

A slim fitting cardigan designed to be worn with minimal ease. A Schematic showing full sizing information is included in the pattern.

Materials Required

Susan Crawford Excelana Luxury 4 ply wool 100% pure new British wool (159m/174yds per 50g ball)
2 (2, 3, 3, 4) 50g balls shade Sweet Chestnut - A
1 (1, 1, 2, 2) 50g balls shade Nile Green - B
2 (2, 2, 3, 3) 50g balls shade Alabaster - C
1 (1, 1, 2, 2) 50g balls shade Damson Wine - D
1 (1, 1, 2, 2) 50g balls shade Land Army Green - E
1 (1, 2, 2, 2) 50g balls shade Dark Mandarin - F

You can purchase the yarn for Bowland in these or other colours, from my website.

The yarn is also available as a kit which includes a free project bag also from my website.

1 2.75mm (US2) circular needle (40cm long)
1 2.75mm (US2) circular needle (80cm long)
1 3.25mm (US3) circular needle (40cm long)
1 3.25mm (US3) circular needle (60cm long)
1 3.25mm (US3) circular needle (80cm long)
Set of 2.75mm (US2) double pointed needles
Set of 3.25mm (US3) double pointed needles
Waste yarn
Stitch markers
Safety pins
Spare needles
Needle and thread
Scissors
9 Buttons
2m (2yds) coordinating ribbon

Errata for this pattern can be found on the Susan Crawford Vintage website.