As an introductory discount, feel free to use the code SCOTCH for 20% off this PDF until this Saturday, April 26, 2025 at midnight EST.

Designing Caol Ila while looking forward to Spring, I wanted a vest for both warm and cool weather. My Scottish Yarn Festival DK is a delicate and airy fiber in a springy blue shade that leans right into April and May. The delicate heather in my blue shade features bits of green and yellow, and the Shetland/Cheviot mix here is soft and llight.

I can see this being worn layered in Spring or Fall, and then maybe knit again in a cotton and linen bland as a cropped summer tee as well! The delicate detail and more open neckline are intentionally added for this purpose - no heavy cables this time!

With that in mind, Caol Ila (pronounced kull eel-ah) features a lace horseshoe and uses it as a foundation for simple texture and cables, creating a vest that’s all about transitions. The pattern plays into the ribbing at the hem, shifts to scoops of lace, and then morphs into a graphic cable and texture combination for the upper body. I love how the thought required at bottom eases into rhythmic cabling once you need to worry about shaping and fit.

A picot edge on the collar emphasizes the simple delicacy of this shell, and is placed on a round, open crew neck. As written, this neckline just a bit more open than the classic shape, and I’ve added a touch more depth as the sizes grow.

Caol Ila is worked in the round from hem to armhole and then divided into pieces, which are worked flat to shoulder. Once shoulders are seamed, collar and armhole stitches are picked up and worked in the round to end. The picot collar is folded and seamed down last.

As always, there are plenty of notes in the pattern about modifying the fit, the length, or the neckline on Caol Ila to your own taste. See the test knits for a variety of options for modification. Some of them had extra fun with the neckline!

Instructions for lace and cables are both charted and written out.

Sizes
35.75(41.25,43.75,47.25,50)(54,59.5,62,66.25)”
90.75(104.75,111.25,120,127)(137.25,151.25,157.5,168.5)cm

Sizes reflect circumference around bust, based on final, blocked fabric. For fit shown, choose size that allows for 3-5”/7.5-12.75cm of ease. If between sizes, I suggest choosing the smaller of the two and following notes in pattern to add stitches at sides.

Yarn
The Scottish Yarn Festival DK,
(80% Shetland wool, 20% Cheviot wool)
52yds/230m per 3.5oz/100g skein).
Sample knit in the Bruce colorway.

750(850,950,1100,1200)(1350,1450,1550,1600)yds 685(780,870,1005,1100)(1235,1325,1420,1465)m
Light worsted or heavy DK weight yarn needed.

Yarn quantities above are based on test knitter feedback and contain about 10% buffer. These totals may vary with modifications or substitute fibers.

If substituting yarn, look for a light worsted/heavy DK wool that works to gauges given. Use a subtly shaded or solid color, so the pattern detail will stand out. My yarn is a slightly rustic, lofty fiber with great stitch definition.

Gauge Note
A yarn that meets the above requirements and knits up at about 20sts/28rows per 4”/10cm is likely to work to gauge in the motifs needed. You will need to swatch IN PATTERN and block to be sure. See the sub yarns my testers used if looking for ideas.

Want to see a Scottish Man tour the distillery and talk about the Scotch? Link below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlqU_7KVFds