Shoowa Retro Sweater : Knit Kit
Thirty plus years ago I was invited to Brussels to give a lecture and exhibition of my work to a group who published an inspirational magazine called “Initiations”. It was quite an adventure travelling from my home on the Isle of Skye to Belgium, with a super large suitcase full of my knitting and apprehension about giving my first lecture! The experience was amazing and on the opening night I met a wonderful man Fritz who commissioned a sweater. Inspired by an exhibition of Shoowa Cloths he took me to, I set about designing the piece in a totally new way. I worked using meditation and allowing the design to be created in the meditative state, asking a question of each stitch where it would like to go and each colour where it should be. I used a simple base with a regular formula and then let it go. The Front, Back and sleeves were all different! It took a year and when I put it all together all the lines joined up as if by magic. I returned to Brussels for a 2nd exhibition with the finished piece which Fritz adored. The process changed the whole way I work. I found out later the special maths I uncovered in exploring these magical cloths has now been revealed as a form of plane maths, totally unique and incredible which applies to many special textile forms. I hope you will follow me in my journey when you make this design which is very close to my heart!
Yarn:
I have recreated the Shoowa in the following colourway using the main colours in Aran with one contrast in a Lalland DK with 2 strands knitted together. There are other options of course, using our beautiful Storm, a great melange of greys as a base or indeed the fabulous Swift!
Materials
DiGilpin Lalland DK - 100% Lambswool Spun in Scotland - 50gr/ball
DiGilpin Lalland Aran - 100% Lambswool Spun in Scotland - 100gr/ball
| Lalland Aran and DK | ||||
| Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Main Colour Crowdie Aran | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Main Contrast A Firebird Aran | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Contrast B Gloaming DK | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Contrast C Swift Aran | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
You will need: Needles (Not included in the Kit)
1 pair 4.00 mm (US 6) needles
1 pair 4.50 mm (US 7) needles
1 set 3.75mm (US 5) short dpns or circular needle short 3.75mmUS 5)
1 pair of 3.75mm needles (US 5)
Finished Measurements
| Size | 1 (CM/IN) | 2 (CM/IN) | 3 (CM/IN) | 4 (CM/IN) |
| Width | 54/21 | 59/23 | 65/25.5 | 70/29.5 |
| Length | 60/23.5 | 60/23.5 | 65/25.5 | 65/25.5 |
| Armhole Depth | 23/9 | 23/9 | 27/11 | 27/11 |
| Welt Depth | 7/4.5 | 7/4.5 | 7/4.5 | 7/4.5 |
Included in the kit:
|
Yarn : 8 (9) 100g Balls of Lalland Aran : 100% Lambswool Spun in Scotland |
Skills: This pattern is for experienced knitters. It requires following charts and uses Fair Isle and Intarsia techniques.