I used a number of references in my research for designing this sweater, including Elizabeth Zimmermann’s ‘Knitting Workshop’ and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts ‘Knitting in the Old Way’ (yoke and neck shaping), Alice Starmore’s Book of ‘Fair Isle Knitting’ (motifs), and Ann Feitelson’s ‘The Art of Fair Isle Knitting’ (colorwork). This pattern is meant to be a template, with different edge and 4 star options, allowing the knitter some creativity in creating a unique garment.

Kits to make our In-Shop colorways available for purchase on The Elegant Ewe’s website.

CONSTRUCTION: The sweater and sleeves are knit in the rnd bottom up and then joined all together for knitting the yoke, also in the rnd. No seaming, kitchener st under the arms
SHAPING: YOKE SHAPING: The garment starts with simple raglan shaping, changing over to more traditional yoke decreasing which happens over 3 different rnds. NECK SHAPING: happens with a series of short rows prior to the tree and star pattern. WAIST SHAPING: minimal and not traditionally done and is optional.
STRANDED COLORWORK: Only two colors per rnd are ever used. Make sure to choose colors that contrast well with your main color and yoke background color if using. The Tree and Star patterns are given with a certain color sequence but you can change that – or keep the star a single color and alternate the background color! There are two border edge pattern options that can be done above your ribbing and around the Tree and Star yoke pattern – I generally knit these in one contrasting color, but you can also alternate 2 colors. You might also use the same main color used in the body of the sweater as the background color in the yoke (I then don’t bother to do the border edge pattern around the yoke), or try corrugated ribbing.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48)” circumference, 22 (22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25)” length (this garment is designed with approximately 4” of ease in mind).
MATERIALS NEEDED: 850 (975, 1150, 1350, 1575, 1700, 1850) yds fingering or jumper weight yarn for MC (we used Jamieson and Smith 2-ply Jumper Weight and Shetland Supreme Wool), 125 yds BC (background color in yoke – if you choose to use the same MC instead of a different BC in the yoke, add this number to the MC), approximately 40 yds in CCA, CCB, CCC, CCD, CCE (these numbers vary depending on how you use your colors. I also usually use the MC as one of the CCs in the yoke motif, so you may only need 4 CCs), US#3 (3.25mm) in 12”, 24”, and 32” round and double pointed needles, US#1 (2.5mm) 16” and 32” round and double pointed needles, 4 st holders, assorted round and split ring markers.
GAUGE: 26 sts and 36 rnds to 4” over stockinette st in the rnd on larger needles or size to obtain gauge