Its time to show you another design, from the next of my Shetland ‘colour stories’. This is the Ursula Cardigan.
This design is named for writer and naturalist, Ursula Venables, who lived and worked in Shetland during the 1940s and ’50s. (You can read more about her in my book.)
Ursula’s writing about wildflowers, as well as my own experience of Shetland’s luminous summer landscape, provided the very feminine palette of this colour story.
While the distinctive zigzagging stitch pattern was inspired by a striking 1940s knitted garment I noticed very briefly on screen in a BBC drama.
This cardigan is probably the most ‘challenging’ design in Colours of Shetland, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be tackled by a confident beginner. It is knit in the round, with steek bridges placed for the front openings and armscyes. After knitting the body, the armscye steeks are cut, and the sleeves are worked top-down in Barbara Walker fashion.
The front steek is cut, and lined with a pretty ribbon trim.
Vintage glass buttons provide the perfect finish. . .
. . .and snaps are used in place of holes to help the button bands retain their shape over time.
This is a classic garment, that, if made carefully, should see its wearer through many summers.
We shot these photographs near St Ninian’s Isle, in Shetland’s South mainland. Every time I look at them, I long to be back there again.
I think I’ll take the Ursula cardigan back to Shetland again next year, to enjoy some more glorious summer days.
Yarn requirements and sizing information for the Ursula Cardigan can now be found on Ravelry.
Olá Kate!
Meu livro atrasou mas chegou. É maravilhoso e quero fazer o Cardigan Ursula para mim. Estou estudando suas postagens sobre “steeking” e farei amostras antes da aventura final, que é tricotar o Ursula.
Agradeço muito muito os tutoriais, você é maravilhosa.
Desculpe escrever em português, mas meu inglês é péssimo, embora consiga tricotar com padrões escritos em inglês.
Um abraço!
Marina
LikeLike
Ahh, it is Midge’s cardigan from South Riding, isn’t it? Very beautful indeed!
LikeLike
This cardigan is beautiful and I will definitely knit it next year. I also agree with the comments about your dress…it is beautiful and I’d love to know where it is from ♥
LikeLike
Kate, I know someone else asked you already, but I’d also really like to know where your dress is from. It’s just like the cardigan – absolutely beautiful. Best wishes from Vienna, Katy
LikeLike
That is such a lovely cardigan! The pattern reminds me a little of the Binge knitting patterns from Halland in Sweden.
LikeLike
This is gorgeous- the colors, the design, the context. It might just be what it takes to get over my fear of steeking!
LikeLike
Gorgeous cardigan!
LikeLike
What a beautiful classic design. LOVE the neckline…
LikeLike
Elegant. Timeless. I love the way the bands of colorwork *read* like stripes from afar, and then like zigzags, and finally as flowers as one gets up close. Rather like the experience of enjoying a bed of wildflowers while on a walk. I am looking forward to hearing more about Ursula Venables in your book.
LikeLike
Beautiful cardigan and I love the dress you are wearing under it – can I ask where you got it from? Thanks.
LikeLike
The colours are divine, and I love the vintage vibe! This is going straight into my queue. I think it’s time I tried steeking… :)
LikeLike
This is beautiful, too. I am getting more and more inspired! I definitely have to make this one!
You’re amazing!
LikeLike
I haven’t checked into you blog for a few days, and wow, what I’ve been missing! Each garment is a gem, and your dresses are equally beautiful. So are the settings. Can’t get enough.
LikeLike
Just lovely – I can sense my fingers getting ready for some knitting adventures!
LikeLike
Oooooooh! I can’t wait for your book to come out! There’s nothing I like doing more than stranded knitting, thank you for feeding my addiction. :-)
P.S: Where do you find such cute ribbons?
LikeLike
So lovely. I really like the idea of the ribbon trim. Just knitting Blaethin right now, so shall see how I get on with the first steek! This sounds even more exciting with top down sleeves, a real challenge. Also love the hoodie, oh decisions….
LikeLike
ooooooh – it is so pretty!!
LikeLike
What a beautiful sweater! I live on the Oregon coast. It has cool-but-often-beautiful summers like Shetland, I would guess. A light wool sweater such as yours would be the perfect summer garment for this climate as well. Plus, it’s much more attractive than a sweatshirt, which is often the default garment here, winter and summer!
LikeLike
These are all SO gorgeous. I love all the fine little details you’ve clearly spent so much time thinking through.
LikeLike
This is a lovely cardigan and wonderful colors. Is it maybe similar to one you showed on your blog a long time ago but never published the pattern? I’m in love too with the buttons on the Scatness tunic.
LikeLike
It’s abundantly clear that I will need to own this book! A bonus is that next year I’ll be able to come to Scotland as well, where I will buy the exact yarn I need. It keeps getting better and better!
LikeLike
With landscapes like that, I’d want to go back there too! It’s all looking *very* good in this book.
LikeLike
I like it very much! It reminds me of the Christie Johnstone sweater which I adore, too.
LikeLike
I LOVE this cardigan. It reminds me of some beautiful knitwear my sister had in the 70s but refreshed. I’m so looking forward to your book coming out. x x x
LikeLike
the ribbon you selected to reinforce the button band was a sweet addition!
LikeLike
What more can I say except that I LOVE this. The colours, the design, the femininity. It’s stunning, Kate. Thank you. xo
LikeLike
Lovely… :) Do your patterns in the book include sizes for wee ones? I’d love to knit a few mommy/daughter, auntie/niece or grandma/grand daughter matches….please, pretty please :)
LikeLike
I am so loving the clothes you are wearing underneath your lovely creations. Stunning just stunning.
LikeLike
This is beautiful and perfect.
LikeLike
SWEET!!! and I do like the idea of the snaps instead of buttonholes. I did that once in a felted garment i designed. It works!. Good job, looking foreward to reading about Ursula. Thanks.
LikeLike
Beautifully made, exquisite attention to detail, surprising and lovely colourway. I am looking forward to having the book in my hands.
LikeLike
Such a nostalgic design – very pretty and feminine.
LikeLike
Kate, each time you publish a new knit from your book, i think ” this time it’s this one my favourite”…they are all so beautiful ! And i have to say that your splendid green dress is perfect to match this cardi ! Well done… I’m really looking forward to admiring your book !
LikeLike
I love all your designs, but this one is especially appealing to me! Your clothing, too, is always just wonderful.
LikeLike
The photos of the patterns from your book are so beautiful. I’ve never owned a stranded garment, other than a hat or mittens (which don’t count) but yours are so appealing I may bread my self imposed rule of single coloured cardigans and sweaters unless they are striped.
LikeLike
Can’t wait for the book release!
LikeLike
you are maker of beauty
your patterns and pictures are stunning
LikeLike
Wow! I love all the new designs but this is definitely my favourite! Cx
LikeLike
I’m in love! After your post yesterday, I just had to pop off to Ravelry and purchase one of your patterns. Quick question – do you offer a tutorial on the ribbon band liner in your pattern collection? I love the look, but i’ve never used that technique before.
LikeLike
yes – there are finishing instructions included in the pattern. I might post a general ribbon-trim tutorial here at some point, since its such a useful technique that people might want to use for other patterns.
LikeLike
Lovely! Using snaps instead of buttonholes is brilliant!
LikeLike
Superbe ! Magnifique ! J’adore !
LikeLike
Oh, it’s beautiful ~ I really aspire to do colorwork.
LikeLike
Another beautiful design!!
LikeLike