Shetland Star cardigan

Shetland Star Cardigan by Hazel Tindall

What is Being Made

The Shetland Star Cardigan is an advanced-level Fair Isle knit cardigan designed by Hazel Tindall in 10 sizes, ranging from a 23-inch (59 cm) chest to a 46-inch (117 cm) chest. This versatile garment features straight sides and the option to add one or two small pockets, making it suitable for a wide range of body types and preferences. The cardigan is constructed with careful attention to traditional Fair Isle techniques while incorporating modern construction methods for ease and accessibility.

Construction and Techniques

This cardigan employs sophisticated knitting techniques that distinguish it from simpler garment patterns. The body is knitted in the round, which creates seamless fabric and allows for continuous Fair Isle colorwork patterning. A steek is worked at the centre front, which is a traditional Shetland technique where stitches are cut to create the cardigan opening after the body is complete. This method, while requiring confidence and skill, produces a professional finish.

The sleeves are constructed using an innovative method: they are knitted from the cuffs upward, then grafted to stitches picked up and knitted from the sides of the armholes. This approach ensures seamless integration between sleeves and body, eliminating bulky seams in these high-stress areas. Apart from the ribbed edgings, the entire cardigan showcases Fair Isle colorwork, a traditional knitting technique featuring multiple colors in intricate repeating patterns.

Stitches Used

• Fair Isle colorwork: The primary stitch pattern throughout the cardigan body, involving the use of two colors per row to create traditional geometric designs
• Ribbing: Used for the cuffs, hem, and front bands to provide elasticity and a finished appearance
• Grafting: A seamless joining technique used to attach the sleeves to the armhole stitches, creating invisible seams
• Steek stitches: Additional stitches worked at the centre front that are later cut to open the cardigan

Materials and Yarn

This pattern uses double knitting weight yarn rather than the traditional jumper weight yarn typically associated with Fair Isle garments. This choice was made to improve visibility during instruction and filming, making it easier to see stitch definition and color changes. Double knitting yarn produces a lighter, more drape-friendly fabric while still maintaining the structural integrity needed for a cardigan. The pattern accommodates 10 different sizes with specific yardage and measurements provided for each, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size based on desired finished chest measurements ranging from 23 inches to 46 inches.

Sizing Information

The Shetland Star Cardigan is available in 10 sizes with measurements provided in both inches and centimeters. Finished chest measurements range from 23 inches (59 cm) for Size 1 to 46 inches (117 cm) for Size 10. Length measurements from hem to armhole vary from 11 inches (28 cm) to 17¼ inches (44 cm) depending on the size, accommodating different proportions and age ranges. Total length from hem to shoulder ranges from 16¾ inches (42 cm) to at least 20½ inches, ensuring proper fit across multiple body types.

Pattern Resources

This pattern supplements The Fine Art of Fair Isle with Shetland's Hazel Tindall, a comprehensive instructional resource available as both a downloadable file and DVD format. Additional information and resources can be found at www.hazeltindall.com, where knitters can access supplementary materials to support their understanding of Fair Isle techniques and Shetland knitting traditions.