Merida Jacket in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Tweed - DBP0065 - Downloadable PDF

Merida Jacket by Sarah Hatton in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Tweed

The Merida Jacket is a beautifully crafted knitted jacket designed by Sarah Hatton, worked in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Tweed yarn. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as an intermediate level project, making it an excellent choice for knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to tackle a more structured, tailored garment. The design draws inspiration from the rich heritage of Shetland wool craftsmanship, rooted in the centuries-old tradition of crofting on the Shetland Islands.

About the Design

The Merida Jacket is an aran weight knitted jacket, a project category that sits within the broader family of cardigans and outerwear. Aran weight garments are known for their satisfying pace of knitting — substantial enough to grow quickly on the needles, yet fine enough to produce a beautifully defined fabric with excellent stitch definition. This makes the Merida Jacket a rewarding project that balances speed with craftsmanship. The jacket is designed to be a classic, wearable piece that reflects the natural, rustic character of its yarn.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Tweed, a 100% Shetland Wool yarn. This yarn is produced in tribute to the ancient practice of crofting — the rural agricultural tradition of the Shetland Islands, where native Shetland sheep have been reared for generations to produce some of Britain's finest wool. The Croft Shetland Tweed carries with it a genuine sense of place and heritage, offering a naturally textured, characterful fibre that is ideal for structured outerwear.

• Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Tweed
• Fibre Content: 100% Shetland Wool
• Weight: Aran
• Yardage per hank: Approximately 166 metres / 182 yards per 100g hank

Needles and Tension

The Merida Jacket is knitted using 5mm needles (US size 8). Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting jacket, and the pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches over 10cm / 4 inches in square. Knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully before casting on, as aran weight garments can vary significantly in fit if tension is not matched precisely.

• Needle Size: 5mm / US8
• Tension: 18 sts to 10cm / 4" square

Techniques and Stitches

As an intermediate knitting pattern, the Merida Jacket employs a range of techniques suited to knitters who are comfortable with the fundamentals and ready to develop their skills further. Working with aran weight wool on a structured jacket typically involves shaping techniques such as increases and decreases to create tailored seams, armhole shaping, and neckline construction. The natural tweed character of The Croft Shetland Tweed yarn lends itself beautifully to classic stitch patterns that allow the texture of the wool to speak for itself.

• Knitting in flat pieces with seaming for a structured, tailored finish
• Shaping techniques including increases and decreases for armholes, sleeves, and neckline
• Rib stitch commonly used for cuffs, hems, and button bands in garments of this style
• Stocking stitch or textured stitch panels to highlight the natural beauty of Shetland Tweed
• Seaming and finishing to assemble the completed jacket pieces

Care Instructions

As a 100% wool garment, the Merida Jacket should be treated with appropriate care. The pattern advises to reshape whilst damp and to not tumble dry, ensuring the natural fibres retain their shape and integrity over