Portree Sweater

Portree Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Portree Sweater is a knitted pullover sweater featuring a striking scroll pattern worked in bands of contrasting colour. Designed by Martin Storey from Scottish Heritage Knits, this intermediate-level garment is characterized by its bold patterned yoke and sleeves, with the colourwork carrying continuously across both sleeves for enhanced visual impact. The sweater is finished with a polo neck collar, ribbed cuffs, and a ribbed hem for a polished, classic finish.

Garment Specifications

• Finished Bust Sizes: 81.5–86.5 cm (S), 91.5–96.5 cm (M), 101.5–106.5 cm (L), 112–117 cm (XL)
• Sleeve Length: Approximately 48–51 cm depending on size
• Body Length: Approximately 49–66 cm depending on size
• Neckband Depth: 19.5–23 cm depending on size

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs stranded colourwork (also known as Fair Isle knitting) to create the distinctive scroll pattern in bands of colour. The technique requires managing multiple yarn colours within rows, with unused colours carried across the back of the work. The colourwork extends across the body and both sleeves, creating a cohesive, integrated design. The polo neck, cuffs, and hem are worked in ribbing, a fundamental knit and purl technique that provides elasticity and structure to these finishing edges.

Stitches Used

The Portree Sweater is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch as the base fabric for the colourwork sections. Ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) is used for the polo neck collar, cuff edges, and hem band. The scroll pattern itself is created through the strategic placement of contrasting colours within the stockinette base, requiring careful attention to the chart during the stranded colourwork sections.

Yarn and Materials

The Portree Sweater is designed to be knitted in Rowan Tweed, a 100% wool yarn with a yardage of 118 metres (129 yards) per 50-gram ball. The pattern requires multiple balls across five colours: Arncliffe 580 (A), Pendle 595 (B), Reeth (C), Hubberholme 589 (D), and Bainbridge 588 (E), with quantities varying by size from 1 to 4 balls per colour. Rowan Felted Tweed (50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose; 175 metres/191 yards per 50g) is listed as a suitable alternative yarn option. The pattern is worked in DK (double knitting) weight yarn, which creates a fabric with good stitch definition ideal for displaying the colourwork pattern clearly. Appropriate knitting needles for DK weight yarn are required to complete this project.

Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle stranded colourwork techniques. The combination of managing multiple colours, reading a colourwork chart, and maintaining consistent tension across the pattern sections makes this project appropriate for experienced beginners to intermediate knitters.