Fergus Colour Block Sweater in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours - DBP0071 - Downloadable PDF

Fergus Colour Block Sweater – Knitting Pattern by Sarah Hatton in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours

The Fergus Colour Block Sweater is a bold, contemporary hand-knitting pattern designed by Sarah Hatton and published by West Yorkshire Spinners. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a striking colour block sweater worked in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours, an aran-weight 100% Shetland wool yarn. The design draws on the rich textile heritage of the Shetland Islands, combining classic craftsmanship with a modern, graphic aesthetic that makes it a standout addition to any handknitted wardrobe.

About the Design

The Fergus Colour Block Sweater is a structured, aran-weight pullover that showcases the technique of colour blocking — the use of large, distinct sections of contrasting or complementary solid colours to create a bold visual statement. This approach is particularly well suited to The Croft Shetland Colours yarn range, which is offered in twelve timeless solid shades, each named after towns and villages across the Shetland Islands, including Norwick, Belmont, Fetlar, Ollaberry, Voxter, Sullom, Huxter, Melby, Laxfirth, Bixter, Lerwick, Tresta, Seafield, and Quendale. The palette is described as a classic range with rustic appeal, designed to work beautifully both independently and alongside the West Yorkshire Spinners tweed collection.

Techniques Used

As an intermediate knitting project, the Fergus Colour Block Sweater is suited to knitters who are comfortable with standard sweater construction and working with multiple colours. Key techniques involved in this type of colour block garment typically include:

• Colour block knitting – working large sections in separate solid colours, often by joining and cutting yarn at colour change points
• Seamed construction – knitting individual panels (front, back, sleeves) and joining them using finishing techniques such as mattress stitch or backstitch seaming
• Shaping – including armhole, neckline, and sleeve cap shaping worked through increases and decreases
• Tension/gauge management – achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment at aran weight

Stitches Used

Aran-weight colour block sweaters of this style typically incorporate a combination of the following stitches:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the primary stitch used across the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, even fabric that allows the colour blocks to read clearly and boldly
• Rib stitch – commonly used at the cuffs, hem, and neckband to provide stretch and a neat, fitted finish

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inches in stocking stitch using 5 mm (US 8) needles, which is the standard gauge for this yarn and needle combination.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

• Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours – an aran-weight yarn spun from 100% Shetland wool, available in 100g hanks with approximately 166 metres (182 yards) per hank. The yarn is celebrated for its fineness, warmth, strength, and high levels of crimp, making it particularly well suited to hand knitting.
• Needles: 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles
• Weight: Aran

About the Yarn – West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours

The Croft Shetland Colours is produced in association with Jamieson & Smith of Shet