A Classic Lopi Yoke Sweater, Mom and I.

20 years ago, Alafoss published Book 18, containing most garments made with what we understood as classic Lopi yarn. A full chunky for the 6 mm needle and a gauge of 13 stitches to 4 inches.  One of the other versions Lett Lopi was new to us with Einband and Plotulopi not available to the Canadian market. The company introduced lovely tweeds that year, so my mom, (Mrs Ferguson to the Whitby knitting public) decided to try it. This week, we received Book 37, with the complete range of yarn Alafoss makes. It is a new world, with designs and materials worked into so many wonderful designs.

Mum chose the model with a very cute light teal rolled hem, innovative at the time and the rich colours which perfectly complimented the tweed flecks in the main yarn.

I don't remember who she was knitting it for, however, also at around that time, she decided to retire and we moved the shop from downtown Whitby to Myrtle Station. The project was bundled up and put away along with many other materials. A Sleeping Beauty you might say.

In July, my mom passed away, quite suddenly actually, after a short illness. A few weeks later, while beginning sort we found the Lopi project. The body, and one sleeve complete.

In honour of my mom, who by the way, was the best stocking stitch knitter I ever knew, I decided to have a go at finishing it. I figured that because it was in the round, it was possible for me to work the material in a tension that although definitely not as smooth as hers would nonetheless turn out "not bad".

What I can say to our fellow knitters is, finishing this sweater, remembering mom's hands making the stitches as I made mine, was comforting, and very helpful to me. Our connection through skill and interest remains with me, solid and wonderful. Thanks mom.

Modular Knitting

This lovely waistcoat is a pattern I have been thinking about for a long time. Hayfield 4299, originally designed to use the yarn "Cotton Rich DK" a blend of cotton and acrylic.

In my archive, (which title I bestow to yarns I have treasured for over 20 years), my goodness, I hold some lovely Mandarin Classic, Pingouin Tweed, Avanti and a precious scrap of Noro silk.

Now is the time to make this waistcoat, one square a day, and as my mum used to say..."Every Mickle Maks' a Muckle" It has become the morning mediation.

Hayfield 4299 is a classic style of written pattern, in columns, requiring a particular kind of focus. To make progress even more likely, I have made further modifications to my working space. First I photocopied the pattern.

I cut each unique section of the pattern apart and pasted them on to index cards

The main and most important stitch pattern is on pink cards.

I taped only the pink cards (main motif) into a continuous strip, leaving an eighth of an inch between each card to create a sort of hinge effect and help the cards fold better.

Then I used a colouring pencil to highlight the two rows within the pattern that I notice required more focus on my part.

Here are all the cards ready to pack in an envelope for a tidy or travel.

Another modification I made is to begin and end with waste yarn in a clearly contrasting colour, all the better to graft the pieces together my dear. Maybe I will use a completely different yarn.

Byron made this handy very Canadian yarn holder for me.

Practice make progress as Brandy Agerbeck says, and it is so true, many thanks Brandy.