Tempered

Contrasting textures add an extra dimension to the simple, elegant colourwork pattern of Tempered. Matte against lustrous; tweedy recycled silk/merino/cashmere against fluffy kid mohair: the yarns dance together to create an airy, soft fabric that plays with the light.

Tempered is worked in the round in stranded colourwork starting from a provisional cast on, and finished with a 3 needle bind off on both ends. For this pattern, you will need to know how to do stranded colourwork, read a colourwork chart, make a provisional cast on and do a 3 needle bind off. See Pattern Notes for tips on substituting yarns.

Size
7.75 in/19.5 cm wide x 64 in/162.5 cm long

Yarn
Shibui Knits Pebble (48% recycled silk, 36% fine merino, 16% cashmere; 224 yds/205 m per 0.88 oz/25 g); Graphite (Colour A): 2 skeins; Fog (Colour C): 2 skeins

Shibui Knits Silk Cloud (60% kid mohair, 40% silk; 330 yds/300 m per 0.88 oz/25 g); Suit (Colour B): 1 skein; Tar (Colour D): 2 skeins

OR A: 444 yds/406 m; B: 203 yds/186 m; C: 266 yds/243 m; D: 436 yds/399 m

Needles
US3/3.25 mm 16 in/40 cm circular, or size needed for correct gauge
Spare needle in the same size for 3 needle bind off

Gauge
31 sts & 30 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stranded colourwork pattern
Exact gauge is not essential for this project, though differences in gauge will affect the size and yardage required.

Notions
Yarn needle, scrap yarn, US D/3.25 mm crochet hook (if using crocheted provisional cast on), stitch marker

About the Yarns
Shibui Pebble is a tweedy, slightly nubbly, light fingering/3-ply weight yarn. Its 2-ply construction lets it open up with blocking, while its high silk content gives it excellent drape. The silk, merino, and cashmere of Pebble make for a soft, drapey yarn with a matte finish—the silk is recycled, which breaks up the fibre’s surface and reduces its sheen—and a slight halo.

Shibui Silk Cloud is a laceweight, kid mohair/silk blend with incredible loft and a very high halo. Both fibres give this yarn a beautiful lustre, while the mohair fills in the spaces around the stitches, allowing the yarn to be knit at a loose gauge for a light, airy fabric. Silk Cloud is very light and drapey, with no memory or bounce.

If substituting yarns for this project, look for fine yarns (heavy lace to light fingering or 2- to 3-ply weight) with good drape and contrasting texture. Yarns that develop at least some halo or fuzziness after blocking will fill in the stitches and give the fabric a cohesive look.