I was introduced to Shetland Lace knitting when Elizabeth Williamson wrote about her family’s history and designed Da Slockit Light Shawl for issue five of this journal. I learnt about the craft’s status on the Heritage Crafts Association Red List: it is endangered in its place of historic significance.

Making a sample of the Da Slockit Light Shawl was the first time I had attempted Shetland Lace knitting and I decided to combine it in my first design with my favourite topdown yoke construction, and a soft summer weight yarn to produce a contemporary garment.

Cat’s Paw jumper is knitted from the top down in one piece, starting with a twisted rib neckband and yoke increases worked in the lace pattern. Short rows are worked to raise the back neck, then the jumper is split at the armholes, and the body worked in st st to the hem, which is finished in twisted rib. The back is slightly longer than the front and shaped by short rows before the hem. Sleeve sts are picked up around the armholes and worked down to the cuff in the round.

SIZES

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8}

To fit chest:
74 (82, 90, 98, 114) {130, 146, 162} cm /
29 (32.25, 35.5, 38.5, 45) {51.25, 57.5, 63.75} in

Designed to be worn with 15 cm / 6 in positive ease.

Sample 1: Shown in size 3 with 15 cm / 6 in positive ease.
Sample 2: Shown in size 4 with 20 cm / 8 in positive ease. T

YARN

Zakami Yarns, Alpaca Cotton Fluff Fingering / 4ply, 38% Baby Alpaca, 25% Merino, 37% Pima cotton, 400 m / 437 yds per 100g skein

2 (2, 2, 3, 3) {3, 4, 4} skeins / balls

Sample 1: Lulu
Sample 2: Stargazing

OR in 4ply yarn which knits to the specified gauge and is light and airy.

APPROXIMATE YARDAGE REQUIRED

664 (732, 800, 880, 1008) {1180, 1320, 1472} m / 726 (800, 875, 962, 1102) {1290, 1443, 1610} yds

TECHNIQUES

Knitting in the round, reading charts, lace knitting, German short rows, Back loop cast on, picking up stitches.