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It was a long, cold winter at Stony Hill Stables. I wore layer upon layer of clothes to work, but I was always wondering if I could add another. It snowed all the way into March, and even at the end of it. Mud, ice, drifts. Dreary, colorless days.
In the midst of it, I received another magic box from Clara Yarn, and I began work on a pattern for this beautiful, scrunchy, soft Shetland 1.0. You can read its story on the Clara Yarn website. Savor every word, because Clara has a grand story to tell. This new yarn is Clara Yarn’s mission taken to a new level – international!
Inside that magic box were three incredible sheepy colors– Mooskit, Moorit, and Shaela – and I knew I wanted to incorporate all of them into a scarf that would be wide and warm, and masculine as well as feminine. I began working in blocks of color and texture, adding something, removing another thing. Swatching was so much fun! How would a leaf look along this side? What would happen if I added a stripe to that end?
When I finally had a plan, I spent hours and hours mesmerized by the soothing garter stitch. I loved knitting the long central section, and then I smiled as I turned the corner and began working down the long edge. It was so symmetrical, so neat. The wrong side looked so right. I added leaves, changed colors, counted rows, and made everything even, as is my slightly-compulsive way. When I finished that one I made another, slightly narrower version with a different color arrangement. More comforting garter stitch, row after row of delicious, soft Shetland to wrap around and around. At last, and finally, I had created a scarf for everyone, in yarn from sheep the color of ponies.
You see, the Stony Hill ponies have the right idea – they grow thick, warm coats because they live mostly outdoors, even in the coldest weather. They are all shades of brown and gray, much like the fleeces that became Clara Yarn Shetland 1.0 and this Stony Hill scarf – a blend of textures and colors that will keep you as warm as a little Welsh pony’s winter coat.
I’m so pleased to be presenting Stony Hill today, at the same time as Clara Yarn Shetland 1.0 is making its debut. The pattern is written (charts aren’t needed), and there’s a schematic included that shows you in what order to knit the sections. You can use the color sequences that I list here, or rearrange them in a way that pleases you. You’ll need most of two skeins of the main color (a little less for the Narrow version), and less than one skein each of the second and third color.
Yarn: Clara Yarn Shetland 1.0. Each beautiful skein is approximately 300 yards/274m and 92 grams. This is a limited edition yarn. Another DK weight yarn may be substituted, but please swatch to find the ideal needle and gauge for your desired fabric.
• For Narrow Scarf: 2 skeins Mooskit (A), 1 skein Moorit (B), 1 skein Shaela (C).
• For Wide Scarf: 2 skeins Moorit (A), 1 skein Shaela (B), 1 skein Mooskit (C).
Needles: US 7/4.5mm circular needles in several lengths, up to 40”. I love my set of DyakCraft Interchangeable wooden needles, and I made good use of them for Stony Hill. From the shortest to the longest cords, to the wooden stoppers — every part of the set came in handy. As you work the long side of the scarf, very long needles will be needed, and I even created “straight” needles with two long cords and stoppers at one end so that I could work the almost 300 stitches more easily. I made stitch holders out of long cords with stoppers at each end, too.
Notions: Measuring tape, tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Measurements and Gauge: Swatching is essential for Clara Yarn Shetland 1.0. Knit a fairly large swatch (at least 6” wide) in garter stitch, and wash & block it. It’s easiest to count rows by counting the garter ridges and multiplying by 2. Make sure your swatch has a soft drape, suitable for a scarf. Go up or down a needle size until the fabric is just what you want.
• Narrow Scarf: About 9×68″/23x173cm
• Wide Scarf: About 12×72″/30x183cm
•Gauge when blocked: 20 stitches per 4”/10 cm and 36 rows per 4”/10 cm
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Not Plain Jane 