Note: This is a larger variation of the Montgomery Mountains scarf.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of the textile traditions of Scotland, I think about men wearing tartans, kilts, and cabled knee socks. But of course, for myself, I am more interested in the traditional clothing that women wore. This issue, my project is inspired by the knitted garments on the Outlander TV series, which were created as an afterthought when the women actors were cold in their voluminous dresses with bare shoulders.

During most of my knitting career, I’ve created reproductions of vintage and traditional accessories. But lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can bring old styles and traditions into the modern world. I know we do this all the time in knitting, but I believe we can do it more and more. In this way we can keep techniques and traditions alive without locking ourselves into the past.

The knitted accessories of Outlander are in this category, and my shawl pattern is inspired more by the TV show than by any ancient tradition.

Want a free pattern (scarf?). Sign up for the email newsletter at https://sheeptoshawl.com/newsletter/