The inspiration for the stitch patterns used in this design was the birch trees found in Klambratún Park in Reykjavik, Iceland.

This shawl was originally designed in 2017 using a special colourway of Caper Sock dyed to celebrate Shall We Knit’s 10th anniversary. As happens sometimes, this pattern’s release was delayed until now and I’ve just found out that String Theory is retiring from the yarn business. I won’t be able to buy my beloved Caper Sock anymore but for those of you with this luscious yarn in your stash, here’s a pattern to show off its depth of colour and beautiful stitch definition it provides.

If you want an exact composition match (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon), have a look at Squishy by Anzula, Djinni Sock by Dragonfly Fibers, Swanky Sock by Magpie Fibers or Capretta by Knit Picks. For those just interested in a similar hand, any fingering weight Merino/Cashmere/Nylon or Merino/Cashmere/Silk blend will work.

This pattern is the second release in Northern Landscape, Part 3. To learn more about the collection, scroll to the bottom of these notes.

Patterns in Northern Landscapes, part three are available individually or as part of collection. During the pre-order period, the ebook is available at a special, discounted price of $24.95. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the rest of the patterns will be published. Once all the patterns have been released individually, the eBook version of the patterns will be uploaded (tentatively release date - March 2022). At that time the price of the eBook rises to $35.95 (full retail price of the individual patterns is approximately $90).

The Northern Landscapes collection, part one is available here and Northern Landscapes collection, part two is available here.

Skills Required:

• Working cables
• Working lace
• Working increases/decreases
• Working with charts and written instructions
• Kitchener Stitch (Grafting)
• Blocking

Finished Size (blocked):
16.5 (28.5)”/42 (72.5) cm wide by 68 (76)”/172.5 (193) cm long
The border is 14”/35.5 cm long.

Other Tools:

• Cable needle
• Waste yarn or large stitch holder
• Tapestry needle
• T-pins (blocking wires optional)

Yarn:
1,120 (2,400) yards/1,024 (2,196) meters of Merino/Cashmere/Nylon fingering weight yarn that knits up to 7-8 sts/inch.

Shown in:
String Theory ‘Caper Sock’, (400 yards/366 meters; 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 3.99 oz/113 grms per skein). 6 skeins of SWK Red, size Large.

About the Collection:
During the summer of 2014, I traveled to Newfoundland, to the arctic coastal tundra region where the Vikings had the first European settlement in North America. Such gorgeous landscape! It’s inspired a collection focused around the landscape of this area of Newfoundland and its geological cousins in Iceland and coastal Ireland. I’ve been lucky enough to visit all three places over the past 15 years. I find the remote and stark landscapes inspiring – nature has such beautiful lines and movement.

During my visit to Newfoundland’s Great Northern Penninsula (the location of the first Viking settlement in North America) inspiration struck quite quickly and before the week was out, I had the core ideas for the Northern Landscapes collection. This accessory collection of 30-40 pieces focuses on shawls/stoles, scarves, hats, and cowls. I knew right away that the beautiful, natural colours and textures of Bare Naked Wools paired perfectly with this landscape. The collection also features indie dyers, focusing on colours drawn from the three landscapes.

The collection will be released in multiple parts and will be available as ebooks or individual patterns. Part one was published in August 2015, part two was published over 2016/17 and part three will be released throughout 2020/2021.