Gilliatt Sweater Round-Up

We are so pleased to introduce Gilliatt, the worsted weight version of Cyrano (Aran) and Ulysse (Sport). De Rerum Natura is a small yarn producer with a thoughtful approach to sourcing and raw materials. All the manufacturing stages are carried out in France, keeping processing and energy use to a minimum. The wool in each yarn line is a blend of French and European merino, produced in the most ecological way with concern for both the wellbeing of sheep and the environment.

Gilliatt is a woollen spun 3 ply worsted weight yarn. All three yarns come in the same range of rich natural and dyed colours. Naturally white and brown merino, sourced from France and Portugal, are combined to create the soft, heathered neutrals and then overdyed for the vibrant heathered colours. Due to its woollen spin, this yarn light and airy; the open structure traps heat for surprising warmth. The rounded 3-ply structure is our favourite for thick 3-dimensional cables but it also shines in stranded colourwork and simple knit purl texture patterns.

If you’re itching to cast on, you can search Ysolda's patterns by weight, or we have a few ideas for garment designs in particular that recommend Gilliatt and showcase the versatility of this yarn. If you click on the pictures, they link to each design's Ravelry pattern page allowing you to check out other people's projects and further details.

A Note on Sizing:

We put together this list with the aim of including as many patterns as possible that are designed to fit at least a 56" chest with the intended amount of ease. This is smaller than our usual size range, but was still impossible to achieve. We’d desperately like to see more designers and publications improve their size ranges and we’re very sorry for any hurt caused by our original, dismissive, wording on this post. This is the first time we’ve done a round-up of patterns featuring a yarn we stock, and while pattern support isn’t generally our main criteria in choosing a yarn, we will be considering what is already available and whether to include substitution suggestions more carefully in future.

For further notes on fit, and choosing a size, please see this blog postYsolda wrote. Each size given is the size of the finished garment, inclusive of ease.

There’s a lot to love about this versatile, gender neutral garment design from Stephen West. Sized 38-54” with a choice of either a closer fit (1 inch of positive ease) or more casual fit with up to 2-4” positive ease.

This is a great beginners' sweater pattern that was featured in Pom Pom’s learn to knit book, ‘Knit How’. There’s lot of possible modifications and the garments are sized from 38 – 70” with up to 10” positive ease.

The heavier lace look in this garment really showcases the airy quality of Gilliatt knit at a looser gauge. This is an oversize knit, designed by Jimenez Joseph, that can be worn over jeans or leggings and sizes run from 33.5” - 59” with chosen ease up to 5”.  

Bookworm from Heidi Kirrmaier gets extra points from us for its styling. A casual fit with up to 9 inches of positive ease and a pattern that recommends Rauwerk, Julie Asselin's Nurtured  and Gilliatt - all of which we stock! Sizes run from 37¼ “ - 63½” with intended ease up to 9 inches.

A second sweater from Stephen West has plenty of options for colour play that allows you to explore the full colour range or supplement from your stash. Size range is 33-54” with 2” positive ease.

A roll neck sweater from Issue 4 of Laine Magazine The size range is relatively small, between 33.75 - 49.5 inches, and is designed to be worn with 3.25–4.75 inches positive ease.

Another reasonably sized sweater from Heidi Kirrmaier with a size range between 32¾” – 53” with 2- 6” positive ease depending on your preferred fit. Simple and classic, this is a versatile and pretty neutral garment design.

A roll neck sweater from the most recent issue of Pom Pom Quarterly, (Issue 28). The size range is relatively small, between 40¼ - 58½”, and is designed to be worn with 8-12” positive ease.