Sunset Over Loch Broom
A Fair Isle Tam Ruskin's Notes
This summer our daughter is sailing a Tall Ship around the islands of Scotland with her best friend who is herself from the remote harbour town of Ullapool. They have been writing letters to one another since they were seven years old. On their great adventure they will dock at Ullapool and later the Orkneys, Fair Isle and Shetland. I am especially excited to know she will meet the knitters of Fair Isle, who are planning to barter with the crew of the ship with their famous knitting. This tam represents the incredible changes of light that can be seen flashing across the surrounding mountains of Loch Broom, more especially the glowing tips of the waves (on the brim) and the star-like sun seting over the Summer Isles (as the wheel). To make the tam as traditional as possible I used Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift yarn (a 2 Ply yarn that knits up like 4 Ply) and one ball of Jamieson & Smith 2ply jumper weight. A tam is knitted with a ribbed opening, then one row of increased stitches, then as a simple straight tube followed by a star-like decrease at the crown. It is only after blocking over a dinner plate (about 25cm diameter, 10 inch) that is takes on its distinctive shape. Wet your tam in warm water with a tiny amount of shampoo added, squeeze gently to remove excess water, then gently stretch it over your plate (the base of the plate to the top wheel of the tam). Stand on a vase or upturned bowl and leave to dry completely.
Abbreviations
k = knit p = purl m1 = make one, To do this: pick up the horizontal strand of yarn that runs between the two stitches in the row below with your right needle; transfer this stitch onto the left needle. Now knit into the back of this strand on the left needle and remove as usual. Yarn Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift (only partial balls are needed): 183 Sand (natural) 186 Sunset (dusky pink) 187 Sunrise (dark russet red) 198 Peat (dark brown) 243 Storm (a moody greyish blue) I also used one ball of Jamieson & Smith Shetland Wool 2ply Jumper Weight - Shade: 121 (muted yellow). Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift's 390 Daffodil would make a good substitute for this yarn. Both yarns are interchangeable.
Needles
2mm (US size 0) double pointed needles (or circular of length 40cm, 16 inches) 3mm (US size 2.5) circular needle of length 40cm, 16 inches 3mm (US size 2.5) double pointed needles Tapestry needle to weave in ends Ribbing Begin by casting on 144 stitches of moss green onto your 2mm (size 0) needles. Ifusing dpns, divide stitches evenly, 36 on each needle. Knit 2, purl 2 for 2.5cm (1 inch) Body Change to 3mm (US size 2.5) circular needles. Over the next row \*k3, m1\* until you have 192 stitches in total. Next row: Knit, placing markers at 24 stitch intervals, dividing your work into 8 equal sections. Use loops of scrap yarn of all one colour, with a different colour to denote the beginning of the round.
Chart 1
Now knit Chart 1 beginning at the arrow. Each row of the chart is repeated 8 times. Each dot denotes the darker of the two colours used. Only two colours are used at any one time.
You are now ready to begin the wheel / decrease pattern. Begin each section with the centre stitch indicated by the arrow. The double decreases are worked with the two edges stitches of the triangular chart, with the ridge column stitch in the middle. I have denoted a decrease row with the letter 'd'. To make the double decrease: Slip 2 stitches knit-wise together (second stitch is always the ridge), knit 1, then pass the 2 slipped stitches Over the knitted stitch.
Chart 2 Weave in ends. Block as described.
