a simple yarn

Apologies, Another Post Preface:

I’ve been taking a ‘walk down memory lane’ these days.  Looking back at early blog posts can be side-splittingly funny…which of course is less about the actual quality of the writing and more about being a right daft ol’ simpleton.  What fun, though, to take a look at the knit-related posts.  A great record of projects completed and sometimes forgotten, or more simply a reminder of an unexpected great photo.

The quintessential high point in my knitting years would no doubt be the published one-off design…Tudora.  You’ve no idea how thrilled I am when people tell me how much they enjoy knitting it and will knit more than one!  And to know that over 1,100 people have knit it while over 1,700 more have it in their Ravelry queue gives me goose bumps…really. So, I hope you’ll indulge this brief retrospective of Tudora’s original post and French language followup…

Tudora (originally published 6 Dec 2007)
If everyone has one bit of inspiration waiting to be set loose, then this would be mine.

In a brief moment of clarity, I could see the design. After that, an endless stream of prototypes. Then deciphering cryptic notes on bits of paper. Can’t imagine doing anything three-dimensional…
But it’s done and it’s published and I’m happy.

You can find the Knitty.com pattern here.

Warning: Shameless Ireland Promotion Ahead

The coolest thing about doing this was the opportunity to promote Irish wool. Say what you will about other new-to-the-market tweeds, but Kilcarra’s an original and simply the best. I get mine from Friends-Warren-And-Jenny at Craftspun Yarns in Co. Kildare. And lest I forget, many thanks to Mandy, who works with Knitty, for her technical editing wizardry.

So, what d’ya think the family are getting for Christmas?

Postscript for Neck Preferences:

I happen to like things close and tight around my neck. Baggy necklines? Not for me…nope. But the thought has occurred to me that not everyone likes that same degree of firmness around their windpipe…perhaps giving them noose nightmares and I wouldn’t want to feel responsible, so…

If you use 5mm/US8 needles (the recommended needle size for aran weight yarn), you will gain a few extra inches in the length and then make it as tight or as loose as you desire with the button placement.

Whew, I feel better now.

The French Connection (originally published 28 Jan 2008)

“Est-ce possible d’avoir la traduction en français du modèle Tudora ?”

I’ve received this enquiry a few times, but embarrasingly, not being a French speaker and equally embarrassing having a wee bit of former phobia about the French language, it’s then doubly exciting and kind of ironic that there’s now a French version of the Tudora knitting pattern. And because of my ineptitude with French, you’ll be pleased to know that I had nothing to do with the translation.

Many thanks to Canadian-Knitter-Carole D.’s efforts in making the translation and to Blogger-Helene for posting the instructions on her blog. You can find French Tudora here.

‘They could not but hold her cheap on finding that she had but two sashes, and had never learnt French.’ —Mansfield Park, Volume 1, Chapter 2

Worthy Charity Postscript Ahead:

Speaking of Tudora, Knitter-Laurie is in the process of creating Tudoras to sell on her Esty shop, Crafty for the Cure, to raise funds for breast cancer research. Well done and all the best in your efforts for that cause!