From American Portraits: “For any coast-to-coast traveller of the USA, the images will linger long after the wheels have stopped turning. These ‘American Portraits’ are based on eight of many such images which have come into my mind following the Fall ’93 Knitting Across America tour. … Near the Columbia River Gorge, the fields of golden wheat stretched for miles … I used a similar wheatear device, set in a symbolic heart, as an emblem for the Heartland of the USA – the world’s bread basket.”

Summary: Heartland is a round-neck, pullover featuring the Heartland motif, flanked by bands of cabling and Moss stitch. The hemline, neck and cuff edges are done in a unique, twisted cable ribbing. The body is knit in separate pieces to be joined in the finishing stages. The drop-shoulder sleeves are worked upwards from the cuff.

Skills needed: cable knitting, pick-up stitches and increase and decrease in pattern.

Additional yarn information: pattern as per American Portraits, uses 1 colour, shown in Scottish Fleet, colour Pink.

Additional size and yardage information: as per American Portraits

to fit chest/bust 32-36 inches (81-91 cm), knitted underarm measurement of 43.5 inches (110 cm), 2400 yds.

to fit chest/bust 38-42 inches (96-107 cm ), knitted underarm measurement of 48 inches (122 cm), 2640 yds.

Additional materials needed: 1 set of double-pointed or short circular needles, size 3 mm (US 2½), a cable needle and 2 stitch holders.

Charts: 3 cable charts