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Shetland Shades: Stories in Wool
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Skelf
CONSTRUCTION
This vest is worked top down starting with a folded ribbed cowl neck and then divided to work identical front and back pieces separately. They are then joined at the underarm and worked in the round to end of hem. Compound Raglan Shaping is used for the upper body.
The armholes are designed to be quite deep meaning the full chest circumference sits closer to the underbust.
Three strands of fingering-weight yarn in different colors are held together throughout this pattern to create a marl texture.
SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference (taken after back and front pieces joined): 36 (40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64)“ / 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm.
When choosing your size, note that the measurement A is taken after joining front and back which sits at the underbust due to the longer armhole depth. The side ribbing stitches will stretch to reflect this total measurement. The sample is shown in size 2 on a 38” / 96.5 cm full bust measurement.
MATERIALS
Yarn: 3 strands of fingering-weight yarn held together.
Approx. amount used of each shade: 390 (430, 475, 520) (560, 600, 645, 690) yds / 356 (393, 435, 475) (512, 548, 590, 631) m.
Total yardage: 1170 (1290, 1425, 1560) (1680, 1800, 1935, 2070) yds / 1070 (1179, 1303, 1427) (1536, 1645, 1770, 1893) m.
Shown in: Gudrun’s Skelf yellow/grey version) Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift (100% Shetland Wool; 115 yds / 105 m per 25 g) in shades Shaela, Granite and Burnt Ochre.
4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) balls of each shade used.
Mari’s Skelf (red version): Les Garcons British DK (70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 30% Masham Wool, non-superwash; 263 yd / 240 m per 100 g ball) in shades Alek’s Red Squirrel Friend and Alek’s and Jonathan’s Marl.
Needles:
US 11 / 8 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm length (main needle).
US 9 / 5.5 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm length (armhole bands and part of cowl ribbing).
US 10 / 6 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm length (hem).
Always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.
Notions:
Stitch markers, scrap yarn / stitch holder, tapestry needle.
GAUGE
12 sts & 19 rows = 4” / 10 cm over Stockinette Stitch worked flat using main needle and 3 strands of fingering weight yarn, after blocking.
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- First published: September 2026
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