I developed this pattern for a Mother’s Day gift for my Mum. I say developed rather than designed because it uses a traditional Fair Isle blossom pattern, which I adapted into a neck warmer (also called a cowl or snood) using Aran weight wool, sourced from two local suppliers – New Lanark Spinning Co and Jamieson’s of Shetland. The pink shade is from the New Lanark Spinning Co Aran range in shade ‘bloom’, and the off-white shade is from the Jamieson’s of Shetland Heather Aran range in shade ‘ivory’.

It is a lovely, neat style that will go with lots of outfits, as well as being perfectly cosy – ideal for the depths of winter, as much as for cooler evenings in spring and summer. The pattern is repeated, so is simple and easy to follow and makes a great project for all abilities. It is one of the first Fair Isle style patterns that I have developed.

Materials:
• Shade A: New Lanark Spinning Co Aran (100% wool / 100g) in Bloom
• Shade B: Jamieson’s of Shetland Heather Aran (100%wool / 50g) in Ivory
• 4mm (UK8 / US6) short DPNs
• 4.5mm (UK7 / US7) short DPNs
• Wool or blunt tapestry needle

Gauge: 22 stitches / 24 rounds to 10 cm – colourwork in the round on 4.5mm DPNs

Size: 12cm deep / 54cm circumference (approx.)
Completed weight: 60g (approx.)