​Brocken Spectre is due for release next week! It’s a luxuriously soft cardigan with a stunning stitch pattern at the shoulders. Holding a strand of merino and silk 4ply yarn together with alpaca and silk blend laceweight yarn gives unsurpassed softness and a subtle shine. This works perfectly with both the open, airy lace pattern and simple stocking stitch.
 
A Brocken Spectre is an optical illusion that you sometimes see on foggy mountaintops – your own enormous shadow in the mist with a rainbow halo. I’ve only seen one once! The zigzag of the lace pattern over the stocking stitch reminded me of misty mountaintops

Spring Snowfall is finally here! A gorgeous top down, cabled sweater with a yoked construction. Striking cables look great with this five colour fade in DK yarn from Black Elephant Yarns, and would look lovely in a single colour too. There are instructions for nine sizes with two options for body length. It's seamless, worked in the round, with a little short row shaping in the yoke for the perfect fit.

And it's available at a 50% discount with coupon code SNOWFALL50, valid until midnight (GMT) on 23rd September.

I will never get bored of narrow, twisted stitch cables on a background of reverse stocking stitch, they look so good with any yarn. Even funky multicoloured yarns that look fab in the skein, but a bit rainbow-vomit when knitted up look great in this stitch. There are instructions on which row to change colours based on a five colour fade, so no guesswork involved.​

And here's the nitty gritty on construction method, materials, techniques, etc...

Construction
We work from the top down using a yoked construction. The cabled patterns have increases built in which are worked down to the underarm. Short rows are worked at the lower back yoke for an improved fit and extra stitches are cast on at the underarm. We work body stitches down to the hem with options for different body lengths, then work sleeve stitches down to the cuff.
 
Suggested Yarn:  Black Elephant Yarns Winter Fade DK
5 x 115g skeins 100% superwash merino 230m/251 yds
 
Total Meterage (Cropped Version): (575, 625, 640) [855, 900, 945] {1130, 1170, 1210} m
Total Meterage (Full Length Version): (680, 745, 800) [1000, 1060, 1115] {1315, 1375, 1465} m
Total Yardage (Cropped Version): (625, 680, 700) [930, 985, 1030] {1235, 1280, 1320} yds
Total Yardage (Full Length Version): (745, 810, 875) [1095, 1160, 1220] {1440, 1500, 1600} yds
 
Dimensions (Metric):
Chest Circumference: (77.5, 87.5, 97.5) [107.5, 117.5, 127.5] {137.5, 147.5, 157.5} cm
Yoke Depth: (19, 21, 22.5) [24, 25, 26] {27.5, 29, 30} cm
Length Underarm to Hem (Cropped Version): (34, 32.5, 30) [36, 35, 34] {37.5, 36, 35} cm
Length Underarm to Hem (Full Length Version): (40, 39, 37.5) [42.5, 41, 40] {44, 42.5, 42.5} cm
Upper Sleeve Circumference: (26, 29, 31) [35, 37.5, 40] {44, 46, 49} cm
Sleeve Length from Underarm: (44, 42.5, 47.5) [46, 45, 44] {47.5, 46, 45} cm
 
Dimensions (Imperial):
Chest Circumference: (31, 35, 39) [43, 47, 51] {55, 59, 63}”
Yoke Depth: (7½, 8½, 9) [9½, 10, 10½] {11, 11½, 12}”
Length Underarm to Hem (Cropped Version): (13½, 13, 12) [14½, 14, 13½] {15, 14½, 14}”
Length Underarm to Hem (Full Length Version): (16, 15½, 15) [17, 16½, 16] {17½, 17, 17}”
Upper Sleeve Circumference: (10½, 11½, 12½) [14, 15, 16] {17½, 18½, 19½}”
Sleeve Length from Underarm: (17½, 17, 19) [18½, 18, 17½] {19, 18½, 18}”
 
Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 75 cm/30” circular needle or as required to achieve correct gauge.
 
Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows = 10 cm/4” in stocking stitch after blocking.
 
Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, cable needle, clip type stitch markers, holder or waste yarn for holding stitches, you may find a row counter useful.
 
Pattern Difficulty: Moderate to fiddly. There are separate instructions for multiple sizes included in many of the lines of the pattern. I’ve tried to make this as clear as possible, but it is a complicated pattern.
 
Skills Required: Work flat and in the round; knit and purl; knit into back loops, cast on and bind off; knitted and purled increases and decreases, including knitting into back loops. Cable knitting including knitting into back loops, pick up and knit (instructions given), work short rows (instructions given).

Two new patterns are in the works, with a little bit of luck these will be released in October and November. Although with a five month old baby at home, delays are to be expected! 

I'm going a bit girly-girly for winter. Brocken Spectre is a super fluffy cardigan with a delicate lace pattern at the shoulders. It's knitted up with a 4ply silk blend and laceweight alpaca held together for an extra cozy, fuzzy, knitted hug. Goldenacre Cardigan is knitted up in a twisted slip stitch rib pattern, designed to look like brioche lace. It's got saddle shoulders for continuous lace from neckline to cuffs and an attached shawl collar for toastiness. Let nobody say I didn't prioritise toastiness. 

Aaaand, one last look at how stunning these cables are!

Patterns clockwise from top left:
​Bracklinn Crop
Crosshill Cardigan
Loch Katrine Shawl
Corrieshalloch Top
Corran Cami

Patterns clockwise from top left:
Summer Lace Tank
Pollokshaws Cardigan
Sineabhar Shawl
Mabie Forest Shawl
Chance Inn Cardigan

My new pattern, Crosshill Cardigan, is live! It's a top down, seamless waterfall cardigan designed for miniskeins (but still beautiful in a single colour). The main colour is Mulberino Yak 4ply in navy and the contrast colours are a set of Mulberino Shfades, both from Orchidean Luxury Yarns.  The cardi comes in nine sizes, to fit chests approximately 28-60". It's open at the front so there's a bit of leeway between sizes. 

The cardigan is worked from the top down using a modified raglan construction before splitting for the sleeves and body at the underarm. The body is worked down to the hem before picking up the sleeves stitches and working down to the cuff. We work a series of eight bands of lace from top to bottom, these could be worked in eight different colours, maybe one contrast colour, or the whole cardigan could be worked in a single colour.
 
And what's the inspiration behind the name? Crosshill is the area in Glasgow where my parents stay, and a firm favourite of my daughter. This makes it one of the few places where I’m able to get any knitting done while she’s awake!
​

My Burrell Sweater is my go to comfy sweater. The body is super oversized, but the sleeves are nice and snug, and it's cropped to just the right length - so flattering. Plus it was a lovely easy knit in mainly garter stitch. The pretty modern lace pattern adds just enough interest to stop this being tedious to knit. Great with jeans or over a black jersey dress, this is cosy, flattering and easy to wear.

Tentsmuir is like a dressy version of my Burrell Sweater. A simple, timeless lace pattern at the neckline and around the cuffs adds a touch of class. Bracelet length sleeves make this perfect for Autumn and Spring too. This was the first oversized, cropped sweater I ever designed myself. I knitted one for my aunt (in 4ply yarn with 3mm needles - it was a real labour of love!) and she loved it, but it took me a while to come round to the idea for myself. I took a big leap of faith and knitted this while I was freshly postpartum with my daughter. Maybe I was crazy to knit a cropped sweater while I was least happy with how my stomach looked, but it really worked. Don't ask me to explain the physics of it, but this really truly is a flattering silhouette!

I am absolutely in love with the woven look of this stitch pattern. My Caisteal Sweater features a simple basketweave cable pattern that;s supersized by adding and dropping yo's at each stitch. This leads to an open, airy, elongated woven look that I can't get enough of. The sweater itself is cosy, comfortable and quick to knit, but if you're looking for a challenging stitch pattern this is the one for you. There's a video tutorial to help you master it though!

If the last stitch pattern was a challenge, this one is more relaxing. Autumn Fireside is a basic "knit and purl" design that still looks fabulous. It's another super cosy pullover with a bold geometric design. The yarn is Eden Cottage Yarns Brimham DK, so slightly lighter weight than the other sweaters so far which have all been in worsted or aran yarn. It's a hardwearing merino/nylon blend that still feels luxurious to work with, and the hand dyed colours are saturated and rich - a joy to knit!

Living in Scotland, I'm definitely biased towards warm, cosy sweaters. But the list wouldn't be complete without something for summer wear too. My Monadh Top is a flattering, drapy, long crop knitted up in 4ply yarn. Again, it's mostly simple garter stitch so perfect for relaxed knitting, but the lace detail is (in my opinion) stunning. The lace looks very complicated but it's mainly made by making and dropping yarn-overs, with one row of gathered stitches in the middle. There's lots of room for creativity in the colour scheme here, you could knit this all in one colour or add even more stripes. Who doesn't have a range of leftover odds and ends of sock yarn to use up?

My End of Year Sale is here! I'm offering a massive 50% discount on all patterns until midnight on 31st December. Use coupon code BOXINGDAY23 for half price knitting patterns!

It's a great time of year to stock up on knitting patterns. Maybe you got some yarn for Christmas and you're not sure what to do with it, or maybe you're looking for something creative to occupy your holiday. The time between Christmas and New Years Eve can feel a little empty, and crafting is a great way to spend some quality time and get away from the consumerism of the season. And coming from Scotland, we're looking ahead to some of the coldest months of the year so it's a great time for making something super cosy to snuggle up in!

Whatever the reason, we've got a huge range of knitting patterns with something for everyone!

And if you're looking for some (free!) knitting with a purpose, you might be interested in signing up for one of my current test knits:

We have two fabulous test knits with spaces open at the moment. Both are top down, totally seamless, available in nine sizes and feature gorgeous gathered lace stitches. Auldhouse is a simple crew neck sweater - slightly oversized and slightly cropped, knitted in chunky yarn. Arnprior is an open fronted cardigan that's incredibly quick to knit in super chunky yarn.

You can sign up to test knit and find out more in my Ravelry Group. If you don't use Ravelry but still want to test knit, get in touch via the "contact" button on my homepage.

My big news of the week - I've started a test knit for my latest design, Auldhouse Sweater!

It's a super simple, slightly cropped sweater with a gorgeous lace pattern. Super quick to knit in chunky yarn.
We work from the top down using a simple construction. We cast on stitches at the shoulder and, after a little short row shaping, work down the back to the underarm, shaping for armholes. Stitches are picked up at each shoulder and worked down the front to the underarm, shaping the neckline and armholes as we go. All stitches are joined in the round and worked straight down to the hem, working a simple but stunning lace pattern and delicate twisted ribbing. We pick up stitches round each armhole for the sleeves and work them in the round to the cuff. Finally, stitches are picked up round the neckline and worked in twisted ribbing. We recommend this sweater is worn with 15 cm/6” positive ease at the chest.
I normally name patterns for places I’ve visited recently – in the past it was usually mountains I’d climbed in my last adventure. Now at six months pregnant, my patterns are being named after places closer to home. Auldhouse is just down the road from my house and the location of a fantastic toddler group – how times change!

You can find out more and volunteer to test knit in my Ravelry Group, there's still plenty of sizes left! And if you don't use Ravelry, you can drop me an email at contact "at" littletheorem "dot" co "dot" uk to test via email.

Here's the latest progress on my Brocken Cardigan too:

All of the body and one sleeve are done, cannot wait for this to be finished! Just a second sleeve and a band of ribbing round the front to go. It's soooo soft and cosy, the ya​rn is Eden Cottage Yarns Titus Fingering (merino and silk) held together with Lowther Lace (suri alpaca and silk), super luxurious!

And finally, here's a bump pic for the week! 

This is my An Dùbhlachd Cardigan – very fitting for the time of year, An Dùbhlachd is Scottish Gaelic for December. In Irish Gaelic it’s Mí na Nollag, or Christmas Month, but in Scotland it literally translates into “The Blackness”. Perfectly descriptive for how dark it is at this time of year. With how far North we are and all the rain that sweeps in off the Atlantic there’s certainly very little natural light here. My studio lighting certainly comes in handy – I’d be able to take about three photos indoors from October to March without it!
 
The cardi itself is a big cosy wrap, mainly in garter stitch with some lace detail in the body, perfect for winter wear. The yarn is Black Elephant yarns dk in colourway “Charcoal” it’s a lovely workhorse yarn in gorgeous handdyed colours. It’s a really warm black if that makes any sense, with undertones of purple.