This week our pattern spotlight is the Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter.  I have been knitting one for myself using our Cushy DK/8ply and, since it's our yarn of the week, I thought it would be perfect for our spotlight pattern.

The Soldotna Crop was designed to use four colours; however, I have seen three colour versions and was inspired to try them myself.  I'm using Olive, Parchment and Orchid and I am super happy with how it's knitting up!  This does mean that the small colourwork 'spots' in the body will be omitted, but I'm totally fine with that.

If you are interested in creating your own three-colour Soldotna Crop, here are my tips. 

I suggest choosing a palette that consists of a dark, a medium (or a bright) and a light colour.  This will give you the best contrast and will really make the colourwork pop.  Next, you need to work out your colour placement.  The pattern is written for four colours (C1, C2, C3, C4), and this is my suggestion for how to order your colours for a three-colour version.

Light-Coloured Soldotna Crop (body will be light)

• C1 - will be your darkest colour
• C2 - will be your lightest colour
• C3 - will be your medium or bright colour
• C4 - you will use colour 2

Dark-Coloured Soldotna Crop (body will be dark)

• C1 - will be your lightest colour
• C2 - will be your darkest colour
• C3 - will be your medium or bright colour
• C4 - you will use colour 2

I am knitting a light version, so my C1 is Olive, C2 and C4 is Parchment, and C3 is Orchid.

If you are after some new stash to cast on a three-colour Soldotna, I have put together a few colour palettes using this week's colourways.  They have been photographed in order with the first 2 skeins on the left being light, then dark and the medium/bright at the end.  You can create your own light or dark Soldotna using any of these combinations (I have listed the yardage you will need below).

• Silver (light), Char (Dark) and Just Peachy (mid/bright).
• Botticelli (light), Midnight Blue (dark) and Just Peachy (mid/bright).
• Parchment (light), Olive (dark), Orchid (mid/bright).
• Tequila (light), Marigold (dark), Thistle (mid/bright).
• Silver (light), Char (dark), Orchid (mid/bright).
• Silver (light), Char (dark), Marigold (mid/bright).
• Tequila (light), Sushi (dark), Persimmon (mid/bright).

For a three-colour version your yardage will of course change; here is what you will need.

Sizes 1(2,3,4,5,6){7,8,9,10}

Finished circumference at bust:
32.75 (36.5, 40, 44.5, 48, 52.5) {56, 59.75, 64, 67.75} ”
83 (92.5, 101.5, 113, 122, 133.5) {142, 152, 162.5, 172} cm
This sweater is designed to fit with 1-4.5” 2.5-11.5 cm of positive ease at the bust.

C1: 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) {2, 2, 2, 2} skeins Cushy/DK weight yarn.
C2: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) {2, 3, 3, 3} skeins Cushy/DK weight yarn.
C3: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1, 1} skeins Cushy/DK weight yarn.

If you have any questions, just use our contact page and I'll get back to you.

Have a great weekend xx