Really Wild Show Shrug

Highlighted in our July issue Really Wild Show feature (LK21, page 58) Pak-a-Yak is exclusive to the Alpaca Spinner and is a really soft, warm blend of alpaca and yak fibres. Made on a very small scale, much of the work and finishing is entirely by hand, including the individual dyeing in batches of five. The yarn really comes into its own when it is made up and washed; it fluffs up and when loosely knitted its warmth is incredible, making this lovely bolero the ideal cover-up for chilly evenings. It's stylish too – check out the gorgeous stitch detail. Pak-a-Yak is only available from The Alpaca Spinner, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or go to http://www.alpacaspinner.com for further information.

Front (make two)
Using 6.5mm needles, and lace or simple cast on method, cast on 64 stitches
Rows 1-4 set pattern
❑ Row 1: k
❑ Row 2: (k2, p4, yrn to make 1) rep to last two sts, k2
❑ Row 3: (k2, yrn to make 1, let made st from previous row drop, sl 1, k3, pass slipped stitch over 3) to last two sts, k2
❑ Row 4: k2, p to last two sts, k2
❑ Cont as above for 11 pattern sets. 44 rows. Do not cast off; just transfer stitches to a holder
❑ Complete other side to match. Cast on an additional 16 stitches at end of last row.

❑ Rejoin yarn to first piece and k right across 64 sts, cont across the 16 new sts and 64 sts of the other side. 144 sts.
❑ Cont in pattern from Row 2, complete another 11 pattern sets (44 rows) across all sts on needle, remember to k the first and last two sts of every row

Fold main work so that both fronts fold over and match the back, sew up from the arm edges for approximately 9/10/11 pattern blocks – it helps to try your work on and pin the sides so that the front edges touch at the bottom comfortably under your bust.

Using 4mm needles, cast on nine sts.
❑ Work in moss st (k1, p1 every row) until a band is formed that fits comfortably under the bust when slightly stretched. (Approx 160 rows for size 10/12)
❑ Mark positions of sides and middle of band and carefully join to the main garment, matching sides

Using 4mm needles, cast on nine sts.
❑ Work in moss st until band fits loosely and comfortably around the lower part of your arm (approx 48 rows for size 10/12)
❑ Sew cast on and cast off edges of each band together; gather sleeve edges and join to each band.

Gently wash the garment in warm water (we recommend Ecover or Eucalan) and lay flat to dry.

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Shoulder to bottom – 38 cm (15 inches)
Mid-back to sleeve end - 70cm (27.5 inches)
A tension square is not essential as the work naturally adapts to a range of measurements from size 8 to 16