I have always loved dogs. For much of my life I have had working collies, and for the last 30-odd years I have had Scotties. I presently have two: Magnus and Inga, and my son has two collies, Melan and Wobble (the “collywobbles” is a casual UK term for a nervous feeling in your stomach). This design came about during last year’s cold winter.

Note for dog lovers: in North America, we often refer to these beautiful black and white dogs are Border Collies. In Scotland, “Border Collie” is a set breed (about which there is some debate!), and dogs which are bred for working sheep are referred to as “working collies”.

The stitch pattern comes from a sweater in photo of a group of musicians from the Orkney island of Rousay. Orkney has its own traditions of stranded knitting, and these arrangement of motifs are typical. The smaller chart is over 11 stitches and can be used on all sizes; the larger chart is over 22 stitches and looks best on the three largest sizes. There is no shaping in the stranded section.

Designed to stay in place while rolling and playing, the Rousay sweater has a stretchy, single rib belly panel to keep the sweater close to the body. The stranded section is worked in the round, with a steek, finishing before the neck shaping. The neck is shaped in the main color, and the fronts are knitted on and joined under the chin. The belly panel is worked flat and sewn into place, then the neck and legs are worked in the round. The back and leg lengths can be easily adjusted. Instructions for altering the back length for dogs and bitches are included.

SIZES
XS S, M, L, XL, XXL
Suggest between 1 and 4 inches/2.5 and 10 cm of negative ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest/Bust circumference: 1114, 18, 22, 26, 34 inches/ 2835.5, 46, 56, 66, 86 cm
Length:
female dog: 810, 14, 18, 22, 26 inches/ 20.525, 35.5, 46, 56, 66 cm
male dog: 79, 12, 15, 18, 20 inches/ 17.523, 30.5, 38, 46, 51 cm

NOTIONS

• 2 stitch markers
• 3 stitch holders or lengths of yarn
• 4 safety pins or removable markers
• yarn needle