Pabaigh

Good morning! This is Pabaigh – my new design in the new Cranachan shade.

I spend a lot of time walking in some quite exposed and windswept places. And I’m not sure if this is the case elsewhere in the world, but here in Scotland I find I often need to layer up, especially in fine Spring weather. When a brisk north-west wind blows, it’s good to have an extra something covering the core, and to pull up around the neck.

Pabaigh is a loose-fitting tee with grown-on sleeves and a long funnelled collar, whose length looks pretty outlandish when extended . . .

. . but which settles down when worn into a pleasing accordion-like cowl.

I love the way that Milarrochy Tweed develops a lightness and drape when worked at this gauge (26 stitches to 4 inches) while still retaining its robust tweedy character. I’m really enjoying using the yarn to explore different simple shapes and constructions at the moment, and Pabaigh is a super-straightforward knit (if you can knit in the round, and know how to graft stitches, you can knit this sweater).

I’m also enjoying creating garments that fit me a little differently. To accommodate layers underneath, Pabaigh is loose and oversized (I’m wearing mine with 11 inches of positive ease at the bust) as well as being slightly cropped. I find I really like many of the new high-waisted styles I’m seeing at the moment, and admit I knit my sample intentionally to hit the top of my new trousers (of which I am inordinately fond).

Perhaps its just that these pants remind me of the jolly high-waisted “Brutus” flares I found in a charity shop in the early ’90s and wore throughout my student years . . .

Whatever it is, I’m definitely enjoying wearing high-waisted styles with tops like Pabaigh.

While we were in the Hebrides, we spent several happy days walking around Berneray’s West Beach, and Beinn Shlèibhe – from which there are fine views of Pabaigh: a beautiful, now uninhabited island (the name means “Priest’s Isle”).

And as we photographed this garment while I was enjoying views of Pabaigh, I named it after that.

There’s an introductory offer if you are interested in the pattern: use the code HEBRIDES to receive a 25% discount on the Ravelry download until May 18th.

And if you’d like to knit Pabaigh in Milarrochy Tweed, there’s a kit including pattern, project bag and yarn in the shop. The kit price represents a 15% discount on purchasing its components separately, and starts at £39.50 for the 42 inch size (which I am wearing here).

I have been wearing my Pabaigh pretty constantly over the past couple of weeks. I hope its a garment you enjoy knitting and wearing too.

For more lovely views of Pabaigh, see Tom’s short film!