Iona Cable Panel Tunic in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours - DBP0072 - Downloadable PDF

Iona Cable Panel Tunic – Knitting Pattern by Sarah Hatton in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours

The Iona Cable Panel Tunic is a beautifully crafted knitting pattern designed by Sarah Hatton, published as part of a Second Edition collection featuring 42 designs. This intermediate-level pattern produces a stylish, relaxed-fit tunic-length sweater distinguished by its striking cable panel detailing — a timeless design that blends classic knitwear tradition with a modern, wearable silhouette. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters eager to cast on right away.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a cable panel tunic — a longer-length pullover sweater designed to be worn as a tunic. The cable panel is the central design feature, lending the piece a rich, textured surface that is both visually impressive and satisfying to knit. The tunic length makes it a versatile wardrobe piece, suitable for wearing over leggings, jeans, or skirts. This is a classic women's knitwear design with a heritage-inspired aesthetic rooted in the tradition of Shetland and British wool craftsmanship.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting — the defining technique of this pattern, creating the signature twisted rope-like panels that run through the design. Cables are formed by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle and crossing them over one another, producing a three-dimensional, interlocking texture.
• Flat knitting — the garment pieces are worked flat (back and forth in rows) and seamed together, a traditional construction method well suited to structured garments like tunics.
• Shaping and seaming — intermediate-level shaping techniques are used to form the neckline, armholes, and overall silhouette, with pieces joined using standard seaming methods.
• Tension/gauge swatching — achieving the correct tension is essential; the pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inches on 5mm (US 8) needles, which knitters should check carefully before beginning.

Stitches Used

• Cable stitches — the central panel features cable crossing stitches that create the intricate, raised rope and panel effects characteristic of Aran-style knitwear.
• Knit and purl stitches — used throughout the body of the garment to create the background fabric, likely including reverse stocking stitch or moss stitch to set off the cable panels.
• Rib stitch — typically used at the cuffs, hem, and neckband in Aran-weight tunic designs to provide elasticity and a neat finish.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is specifically designed for West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours, an Aran weight yarn made from 100% Shetland wool. Each hank contains 166 metres (182 yards) and weighs 100g. The yarn is produced in association with the renowned Jamieson & Smith of Lerwick, the primary purchasers of the Shetland wool clip, ensuring an authentic connection to the islands' crofting heritage.

The Croft Shetland Colours is a collection of 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. These rustic, classic shades are designed to work beautifully both independently and alongside West Yorkshire Spinners' tweed collections.

Shetland wool is prized worldwide for its fineness, warmth, and strength. The high levels of crimp and wave in the fleece make it particularly well suited to hand knitting, providing excellent stitch definition that showcases cable work to its fullest advantage. The combination of softness and durability makes this yarn ideal for a garment intended to be worn and loved for years.

Materials – Needles