Tunics in Stylecraft Highland Heathers - 9792 - Downloadable PDF

Tunics in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK – Pattern 9792 Overview

Pattern 9792 from Stylecraft presents two double knitting tunic designs worked in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK yarn. The collection focuses on flattering, longer-length silhouettes suitable for a wide range of sizes, making it an excellent choice for knitters who want a versatile, wearable garment with a relaxed fit. Both designs are rated intermediate in difficulty, meaning they are well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and simple stitch patterns but are ready to tackle more structured construction.

Sizes and Fit

The patterns are designed to be inclusive, covering five sizes from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) to 122–127 cm (48–50 in) bust measurement. Actual finished measurements range from 100 cm (39¼ in) to 143 cm (56¼ in), providing a comfortable, relaxed ease across all sizes. Full lengths range from approximately 72 cm (28¼ in) to 83 cm (32¾ in), confirming the tunic-length silhouette. Sleeve lengths run from 46 cm (18 in) to 48 cm (19 in) depending on size.

Design One: Round Neck Tunic

The first design featured in pattern 9792 is a Round Neck Tunic worked in two colours — a Main Colour (M) and a Contrast Colour (C) — using Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK. The round neckline gives the garment a classic, clean finish that works well for layering or wearing on its own.

Construction and Techniques

The tunic is knitted flat in separate pieces — back, front, and sleeves — and then seamed together, which is a traditional construction method well suited to intermediate knitters. Key construction techniques include:

• Thumb method cast on – used to begin the back and other pieces, creating a firm, elastic edge appropriate for ribbing
• Rib shaping rows – the lower body begins with an 18-row rib worked on 3¼ mm needles, establishing structure and stretch at the hem
• Decrease and increase rows within the rib – a shaping row (row 19) uses work 2 tog decreases and inc in next stitch increases to adjust stitch counts and create a fitted waist transition before moving to the main body
• Two-colour knitting – the use of a Main Colour and a Contrast Colour introduces colourwork elements characteristic of the Highland Heathers aesthetic

Stitches Used

• 1×1 Rib – formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across two rows, used for the hem and cuffs to provide elasticity and a neat finish
• Knit and Purl stitches – the fundamental building blocks of the fabric throughout the garment
• Decreases (work 2 together / k2tog or p2tog) – used in shaping rows to reduce stitch counts smoothly
• Increases (inc in next stitch) – used alongside decreases to redistribute stitches during the waist shaping transition

Materials

• Yarn: Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK, 100g balls
  • Main Colour: 4–5 balls depending on size
  • Contrast Colour: 2 balls across all sizes
• Needles: 3¼ mm knitting needles (used for ribbing sections; a larger needle size is typically used for the main body in DK weight patterns of this type)

About Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK

Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK is a double knitting weight yarn known for its rich, tweedy, heathered colourways that evoke the tones of the Scottish Highlands. The yarn's textured appearance means that even relatively simple stitch patterns take on depth and visual interest, making it an ideal