THE SPIRIT OF SCOTTISH ISLANDS

Foula by Sara R.
The Scottish Yarn Festival DK

Foula is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the British Isles, a place shaped by wind, sea, and centuries of tradition. The name comes from the Old Norse for “bird island,” and this shawl captures that rugged, quiet beauty in every stitch.

For this project, we’ve paired Foula with The Scottish Yarn Festival DK, a yarn steeped in heritage and story. Made with Scottish-grown wool and milled in Yorkshire, this 3-ply blend of 80% Shetland wool and 20% Cheviot wool has the perfect balance of softness, structure, and woolly character. Each colour is named after a Scottish clan, making every skein feel like a tiny piece of history waiting to be transformed by your needles.

The Scottish Yarn Festival is held in Perth, Scotland, and founder Eva Christie created this yarn for makers who love provenance, quality, and meaningful materials. Gordon, Innes, Tait, and Baird are natural, undyed shades, while the rest of the palette celebrates Scotland’s rich textile heritage.

Scottish provenance wool. Spun in Yorkshire. Transformed by you.

The Foula shawl is a beautifully wearable piece with beautiful details and a generous, enveloping shape—perfect for cool evenings, coastal walks, or a quiet moment with your knitting. It’s a project that feels timeless and thoughtful, designed to be worn and treasured for years to come.

Knit on circular needles, Foula uses a simple lace pattern that creates texture and movement, with enough rhythm to be relaxing while still keeping you engaged. With three skeins of Scottish Yarn Festival DK, you’ll have everything you need to create a statement shawl that feels both heirloom and modern.

Foula Shawl Materials

Finished Size

• Approx. 166 cm / 65” along the top edge

• Approx. 130 cm / 51” along the bottom edge

• Approx. 108 cm / 42” wide at the bind-off edge

Yarn

• 3 skeins The Scottish Yarn Festival DK (80% Shetland wool, 20% Cheviot wool; approx. 230 m / 252 yds per 100 g)

• Or approx. 610 m / 667 yds of any DK weight yarn

Needles

• 4 mm (US 6) circular needles, 100 cm / 40” or longer (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Gauge

• Approx. 18 sts and 22 rows = 10 cm / 4” in lace pattern
  (Gauge is not crucial for shawls, but it will affect finished size and yarn usage.)

Notions

• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

• Stitch markers (optional, for marking pattern repeats)

Shop the Yarn

Shop Scottish Yarn Festival DK

Pattern can be found on Ravelry or using the above link under the photo.

The Wool Pirate is proud to be the only supplier of Scottish Yarn Festival DK in Canada, making this a truly special addition to your yarn stash. If you love meaningful materials and heritage fibres, this yarn is a treasure worth discovering.

Happy making,

Cindy 🏴☠️