Fairlie
In early 2026, I came to be the steward of my grandparents’ sailing logbooks containing hundreds of pages of handwritten adventures spanning decades. These include trips all across Europe, on various boats and with a medley of crew, but they almost always start at the same place – Fairlie. This pattern was its own adventure from the very start, so Fairlie felt like the perfect name.
GAUGE
***This garment is knit and then felted.*** The most important thing is the post-felting gauge as that is how fit is calculated.
Post-felt gauge: 16 stitches and 28 rows per 10 cm / 4" with 6 mm [US 10] needles in Stockinette Stitch.
YARN
Sample was knit in Cascade Ecological Wool (100% wool, 437 m / 478 yds per 250 g) in the colourway 8015.
Size 4 worn with 7.5cm of positive ease
CONSTRUCTION
This vest is worked top-down and then felted in the washing machine to create a cosy, dense fabric. First, the back is shaped. Then the fronts are picked up along the shoulder. Both the back and fronts feature welts which can be worked in a contrast colour if desired. The fronts and back are joined at the underarms and the body is worked flat. I-cords are added after the piece is finished. The front edges can be left open or finished with buttons or snaps.
It’s important that you make a swatch and block it the same way you will your final fabric.
GAUGE
***This garment is knit and then felted.*** The most important thing is the post-felting gauge as that is how fit is calculated.
Pre-felt gauge: 15 stitches and 18 rows per 10 cm / 4" with 6 mm [US 10] needles in Stockinette Stitch.
Post-felt gauge: 16 stitches and 28 rows per 10 cm / 4" with 6 mm [US 10] needles in Stockinette Stitch.
NEEDLE SIZE
6 mm [US 10]. You may need to use a smaller needle size to work the I-cords.
YARDAGE
490 (554, 631, 698, 767, 851) (923, 996, 1080, 1165, 1243) m / 534 (604, 688, 761, 836, 928) (1006, 1086, 1177, 1270, 1355) yds of aran-weight yarn.
YARN
Sample was knit in Cascade Ecological Wool (100% wool, 437 m / 478 yds per 250 g) in the colourway 8015.
It’s very important that you pick a yarn that is 100% wool as non-wool and blends may not felt. Other suitable yarns include Rauma Vams, Istex Plötulopi, and Lionbrand Fishermen’s Wool.
NOTIONS
4 x 20 mm (13/16") buttons (optional).
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference (3 cm / 1.25 inch overlap at front removed): 83.5 (93.5, 103.5, 113.5, 123.5, 133.5) (143.5, 153.5, 163.5, 173.5, 183.5) cm / 32.75 (36.75, 40.75, 44.5, 48.5, 52.5) (56.5, 60.25, 64.25, 68.25, 72.25)".
Armhole Depth: 20 (20.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 24.5) (25, 25.5, 26.5, 27.5, 28) cm / 7.75 (8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75) (9.75, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11)".
Body Length from Underarm: 32 cm / 12.75".
Recommended positive ease: 8–15 cm / 3.25–6".
Size 4 worn with 17.5cm of positive ease
