So, I suspect it won’t be hard for you to guess what provided the inspiration for the last pair of designs in the collection . . .
These two designs really were an awful lot of fun to work on . . .
For what is more fun than a puffin?
Um, garments inspired by puffins, that’s what!
Here we have a puffin sweater . . .
. . . and a puffin mantle . . .
Both of which feature the same six-shade garter stitch chevron pattern. . .
. . . which echoes the colours and texture of the beaks of Shetland’s most beloved summer visitor.
In Colours of Shetland you’ll find several puffin-related treats . . .
Including talented Shetland photographer, John Moncrieff’s, fabulous puffin portraits . . .
. . . and an intriguing, puffin-related MAP that has been specifically designed to accompany my essay in the book. All will be revealed as you turn the pages . . .
These designs are simple and fun and I love, love, love both of them. Pardon my hubris, but I have to mention that when I’ve worn the Puffin Sweater in Shetland, it is the design that has drawn most comment, from airport security staff who complemented me on my ‘blendin’, to local knitters and designers whose positive remarks really mean the world to me.
The mantle incorporates further decreases into the pattern to create a neatly-fitting and dramatic-looking wrap.
We shot the mantle photographs around Lerwick’s lodberries on a quiet, grey sort of day.
But I love the way the bright colours of the chevron pattern stand out against the stone.
Yarn and sizing information for the Puffin Sweater and Puffin Mantle can now be found on Ravelry.
KDD & Co 
If there ever was the question, if I will buy your book (there never was…), THIS would have been the answer. I just love puffins!
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just beautiful! and you look wonderful also. love to have a book ,but has not learn to convert monies.keep going kate.
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I love them! What pretty colors! Just like a puffin :)
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Congratulations! The encapsulation of your hard work and clever mind. Brilliant! I WANT one! x
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Always loved Life in Shetland, my copy is tatty, the puffin designs are wonderful, my Dad called them Tammy Nories!
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Having not long ago finished knitting the Blaithin, it is with great excitement that I look forward to knitting many of the patterns from this book when it arrives, knowing full well they will be not only beautiful, but well-written, nearly foolproof instructions; resulting in garments that I will wear with pride and joy!
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Your book is going to become of one of the classics. Well done!!!
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An amazing range of wonderful patterns, I am reading Ursula’s book at the moment and looking forward to your essays and the photos. Bruce has done a wonderful job as your stylist. Now I cannot decide which to knit first. Going to Shetland, Fair Isle and Orkney next June. Can’t wait.
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These look amazing. My favourites so far!
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Oh Kate, just wonderful! Your book will be sitting on my coffee table for others to admire, not just knitters. Kudos to the photographer and the wardrobe/stage assistant as well. Bruce looks like he is having the most wonderful day …
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^o^ LOVE it! Puffins in flight are beautiful! You are amazing! :)
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Since I’m in the US, I’m going to have to stay up very late on Sunday so I can order your wonderful book on Monday, and be sure to get a copy….can’t wait; the designs are amazing!
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Oh…you are so wise, Deborah…I didn’t even think of that! Thank you!
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I love the designs, and I love the second last photo of Bruce in the previous post with him in the foreground and you hugging the lighthouse.
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Beautiful!!!! :)
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Gah! It’s just too good! What a fantastic idea. I could go on gushing, but I think you get the idea. Awesome, awesome, awesome patterns. Going in my queue now.
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Wild!!
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I’ve always been enchanted by puffins, but only this morning have I connected that I also like goldeneyes, buffleheads, and Border collies. Not that I’m a black-and-white person myself: your color use here brings the black-and-white within range of what I’d actually wear. Lovely work.
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A gem!
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Thanks, Kate, for giving us a sneak peek at all of the wonderful designs in your new book. They are all going in my que for sure.
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a post from you every day! allah is a great god!
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Love, love, love Puffin mantle
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Genius!
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Oh, Kate. These are fabulous! I love how you managed to use such a wide range of colours and shapes in your design, all the while keeping them cohesive. I cannot wait to buy your book (three more days!)
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I was going to order your book, but wasn’t sure when… This just changed my mind! I’ll be ordering it ASAP! I just LOVE the mantle! Beautiful. (Frankly, all the designs you’ve shown are wonderful…)
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Beautiful. You are an artist.
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These designs are simple stunning, Kate. xo Each time you post a new one I’m like, “No…I love THIS one the best.” Wow…they’ve all been so incredible. I can’t talk myself out of your book now. It’s definitely a must have. Congrats on a most beautiful and unique collection of designs. xoxo
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Stop! You’re killing me – all this beautiful knitwear, all of which I want to knit NOW. And then Puffins! I can’t take any more…
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The photos are stunning. I love birds great inspiration. Can’t wait!!
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FUN FUN FUN, well that woke me up this AM on a rainy morning. that sweater is Total fun and I agree with all the comments above, love the “Nuffin is more fun than a Puffin” :)
Again thank you for your brilliance.
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I honestly think that’s the most beautiful sweater I’ve ever seen. Congratulations on your book – I loved the other designs but this one in particular has sold it to me.
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i love it! the jumper is on my list. definitely.
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I’ve never seen anything like it , you are completely posessed with such creative ideas. I love, love, love the reference to puffins… how adorable.
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Pretty darn cute! Another to be knitted for February.
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I love those birds—and I love the joy you are finding in knitting and designing! I’ve googled “blendin'”, but it can’t possibly mean anything I’ve found. It’s a word for sweater? Any more information on that intriguing word ?
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Those are amazing pictures! Your mantle is my favorite. Puffins <3
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Kate, your amazing play on colours, strength of mind, and beautiful work never cease to amaze me. Three cheers for a stunning pattern! I’m so excited about your collection.
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Love!!!
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I love it – very sweet and cheerful!
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Lovely, lovely, lovely…the mantle and the sweater. But the mantle is perfect for cold winter mornings here in the mountains…the anticipation is just too much this time :) m.
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Kate,
I absolutely love every design so far. I cannot wait to order the book.
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Over the top adorable…
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Your beautiful Puffin colour design sure brighten up a grey day!
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Love your new designs! But what’s in the puffin’s mouth in one of the pictures? It looks kind of painful.
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Gorgeous Kate!! Going to have to order this wonderful book of yours! Would love to cast on any of your designs . . . and I have lots of Shetland wool to cast on! Might be startlingly in black, moorit, grey, fawn, and white. But may also want to dye some yarn in those puffin colors!
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Wow! That is fantastic, and your pictures make me wish I was back in Sheland!
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amazingly beautiful-love the burst of color from from nature
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Might have to cast on for this one on Monday…it’s just right Kate.
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I’ve loved watching all the patterns from your new book go up – the rich denseness of the colours and the ‘blendin’ (I’m totally with the airport security people there!). But it’s absolutely the strong clear (indeed) modernist colours of the puffin jersey that speak to me the most! Curiously I can also imagine the yoke giving the jersey a kind of Fair Isle effect in other colourways.
As a novice knitter, only just wrangling my first adult size garment into shape, would it be possible to say a little more on Ravelry about the skills involved? So far the Puffin also looks closest (- aspirable to, at least!) my skill set, but I could be being optimistic here. And this may be a cheeky question, but is it likely that these patterns will be published separately at all, on Ravelry?
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Kate, this book will be a Must To Have!!! This is another gorgeous piece and you’ll make me want to knit them all :)
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So much fun. Puffins are hilarious! The sweater is beautiful, as always.
So I know Puffin is sometimes seen in the dinner table in Iceland, is that the case in Shetland too?
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These are so beautiful Kate, just lovely. Congratulations!
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That is such a fantastic design! Absolutley love it – cannot wait to get knitting on the puffin jumper :D
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Wonderful colours! We spent hours on Westray (Orkney) watching Puffin antics. I couldn’t believe how small they are. This is (yet another) design I can’t wait to start.
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Kate, I’m absolutely loving these two. The Puffin Sweater is straight in my Ravelry queue! Well done and congratulations on the publishing of the book :-)
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I always appreciate your whimsy and your “blendin”. :) well done!
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Nuffin! Nuffin is more fun than a puffin!
:-)
Lovely design.
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Just gorgeous!
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This is really lovely, what a splendid, original idea!! And I am also looking forward to the book…
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Beautiful!!! And even if I adore puffins I can think of lots of other colourful birds that can inspire alternative colourways. After I have made myself a Puffin I would like to knit a lapwing!
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I’m taking my que from Nature, too. My next sweater will be in the colors of the bohemian waxwing. Have seen picture of them recently on Shetland’s websites.
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They too are beautiful birds! We see a lot of them around our house in winter, and the coulors are really amazing, in sunny days they seem to be glowing.
Are you on Ravelry? I would really enjoy to see you bohemian waxwing sweater.
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Those are so beautiful! I was always planning on buying the book anyway, but oh, I NEED a puffin sweater!
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Can’t wait for the book to be available to buy. Hope you don’t get cramp signing all the copies that I’m sure will be ordered.
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Love, love, love your designs
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Oh my lord!!! That has just made my day.
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A joyful design – it has brought Shetland knitting bang up to date.
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wow, so beautiful! and such great photos!
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Absolutely beautiful! These designs are as delightful as those bright little birds….. You are so incredibly talented, and your sheer joy in your work is such a gift…. I can’t wait to order this book – thank you so very much xx
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