A print version of Langsoond - A Shetland Yarn by Donna Smith is also available here.

Scarpigert Cardigan
While I was knitting and designing the Scarpigert Cardigan I was reading the novel Shadowed Valley by John Graham, a very powerful story set in 18th-century Shetland during the time of the Clearances when families were evicted from their homes by the Lairds to make way for sheep. Scarpigert was the fictional croft where the novel was set. Scarpigert Cardigan is a fitted garment that is designed to be worn with negative, none, or very slight positive ease. Unlike the Wearing Cardigan, the top of the hem sits on or just below the natural waistline; increases are made at each side of the body to create a tailored silhouette.

Pattern Notes
The body and sleeves are knitted separately, the body is worked flat with increases at each side to form a slight inverted A-line shape, and you have the option of knitting the sleeves either flat or in the round. The body and sleeves are then joined to work the yoke. Decreases are made around each ‘seam stitch’ to create the raglan shaping. To give a snug fit around the shoulders, the slope of each ‘seam’ is shaped rather than being straight. The cardigan is designed to be worn with 0-5cm (0-2in) negative ease, or with minimal positive ease, depending on your preference. It works equally well when worn with 10-15cm (4-6in) of positive ease.

Sizes
To fit chest:
75 (86, 101, 114, 124.5)(135.5, 146.5, 157, 168) cm
29.5 (33.75, 39.75, 44.75, 49)(53.25, 57.75, 62, 66.25) in
Finished chest circumference:
70 (81, 96, 109, 119.5)(130, 141, 152, 163) cm,
27.5 (31.75, 37.75, 42.75, 47)(51.25, 55.75, 60, 64.25) in
Back length:
49.5 (50.5, 51, 52.5, 53.5)(54.5, 55.5, 56.5, 57.5) cm
19.5 (19.75, 20.25, 20.5, 21)(21.5, 21.75, 22.5, 22.75) in
Yoke depth:
19.5 (20.5, 22, 24, 25.5)(27, 28, 29.5, 30.5) cm
7.75 (8, 8.75, 9.25, 10)(10.75, 11, 11.75, 12) in
Top sleeve circumference:
26 (27, 31.5, 34.5, 37)(40, 42, 45.5, 48.5) cm
10.25 (10.75, 12.25, 13.5, 14.5)(15.75, 16.5, 18, 19.25) in
Cuff circumference:
21.5 (24, 26, 26, 28)(28, 30.5, 30.5, 32.5) cm
Sleeve length:
43 (43, 42, 41, 41)(40, 40, 39, 39) cm
17 (17, 16.5, 16.25, 16.25)(15.75, 15.75, 15.25, 15.25) in

Yarn
Langsoond Double Knitting (100% Shetland Wool, 220m (241yds)/100g skein)

Light Stane; 3 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins
Actual amount used:
637 (741, 892, 1023, 1144) (1266, 1393, 1521, 1658) m 697 (811, 976, 1119, 1251) (1385, 1524, 1664, 1813) yds

Gauge
18.5 sts and 24 rows and rounds to 10cm over stocking stitch worked flat and in the round, after blocking.

Please check your tension carefully and adjust your needle size accordingly. 

This sample was worked using size 4.5mm
(UK 7/US 7) needles for the body and sleeves and size 4.0mm (UK 8/US 6) needles for the rib.

Donna wears a size 2 with 3.5cm (1.5in) negative ease.

Needles and Notions
Circular needles, length 80cm (32in) or longer, in size required to match gauge, for body
Circular needles, length 80cm (32in) or longer, 0.5mm smaller than gauge needles, for rib
Sets of DPNs or needles for working small circumferences, in gauge size for sleeves, and in smaller size for rib

Stitch markers 
Tapestry needle 
Waste yarn or stitch holders 
7 (7, 7, 7, 7) (7, 7, 7, 7) buttons, approx 2.2cm (0.87in) in diameter