Hestapeysa: the 5 gaits of the Icelandic horse

Kits and wool available on [icelandicknitter.com][1] *The pattern was tested by the participants in my Knit & Ride tour in 2023. It is now finally publsihed.* With the Hestapeysa, I wanted to show all the 5 gaits of the Icelandic horse: the usual gaits of any other horse – the walk (fet), trot (brokk), and gallop or canter (stökk) – but also its two unique gaits, the tölt and the Flying pace (skeið). The horses’ motifs are using a clever and easy colorwork technique – the **Ladder-back Jacquard** – to deal with the long floats. **The chart shows exactly where to anchor and how to tackle the floats, taking all the hard work for you** so you can concentrate on learning the technique if it is new to you. Coming in a large number of sizes from S to 5XL, this is a loose unisex sweater with an optional waist shaping and zippered turtleneck. Instructions also include a sleeveless vest with a scoop neckline. Knitted with plötulopi doubled with my fine Icelandic lambswool lace yarn Love Story for strength and softness, on large needles, it´s a quick knit, extremely light and soft, yet warm and water repellant ! **Sizes**: S(M,L,XL)2XL,3XL,4XL(5XL) Fit: 10 cm/ 4” positive ease. Choose your size: add the ease to your actual bust measurement and choose the size the closest to the result. If between sizes, choose the largest one. Sweater and Vest shown are both a size M with waist shaping, worn with 11.5 cm /4¼” positive ease at bust. Finished sweater measurements • Bust/hips: 101.5(109.5,120,128)138.5,149.5,157.5(165.5) cm / 40(43,47¼,50½)54½,58¾,62(65)” • Waist (optional): 93.5(101.5,112,120)130.5,141.5,149.5(157.5) cm / 36¾(40,44,47¼)51½,55½,58¾(62)” • Upper arm: 30.5(35.5,40.5,44.5)48,53.5,57.5(61.5) cm/12(14,16,17½)19,21,22½(24)” • Body length to underarm: 34(35,36,37)38,39,40(41) cm/ 13½(13¾,14,14½)15,15½,15¾(16)” • Yoke depth at back: 26(27,27, 27)29,29,30(30) cm / 10¼(10¾,10¾,10¾)11½,11½,11¾(11¾)” • Sleeve length from underarm: 44(45,46,47)48,49,49(50) cm / 17¼(17 ¾,18,18½)19,19¼,19¼(19¾)” **Gauge**: 10 cm/4” = 15 sts and 20 rnds in Stocking stitch on 7 mm/ US 10-11 needle **Needles**: 6 mm/ US 9 and 7 mm/US 10-11 circular needles approx. 80 cm / 32” long. Magic loop is used for smaller diameters but you can also use double pointed needles. Crochet hook: 6 mm / US 10 **Wool** Plötulopi from Ístex: 100% new wool, unspun, plate 100-110 g = approx. 300 m/328 yds Love Story Einband by Hélène Magnússon, 100% new wool, pure Icelandic lambswool, very fine lace weight, 1 ply, 25 g per skein = 225 m / 246 yds Note: you can also use 3 strands of plötulopi or Álafoss lopi for a thicker sweater that knits at the same gauge. **MC**: 1 strand of plötulopi #0005 held double with 1 strand of Love Story Viking rust • 3(3,3,3)4,4,4(5) plötulopi plates • 3(3,4,4,)4,5,5(5) Love Story skeins **CC**: 1 strand of plötulopi white #0001 held double with 1 strand of Love Story Viking rust • 1 plötulopi plate for all sizes • 1 Love Story skein for all sizes You will need one less plate of plötulopi and one less skein of Love Story for the Vest. The Vest shown is knitted with some hand dyed lopi (MC) and has 2 plötulopi and Love Story colors in the yoke. I mostly used left-over yarns. Kits and wool available on [icelandicknitter.com/hestapeysa-5-gait-kit][1] [1]: https://icelandicknitter.com/product/hestapeysa-5-gaits-kit/