Meet Ethel
Someone would like to introduce herself.
The finished Ethel Mildred Ferguson sweater, in which I have been absolutely LIVING since I finished it two days ago.
I think all the ripping and re-knitting really paid off in the end. The new, svelter front looks much, much better; it's amazing what a difference an inch plus or minus can make on a garment's overall fit. The current front, especially the lines of the horseshoe cables on either side, more closely mirrors the back and is much closer to what I originally envisioned.
Our photoshoot for this sweater produced some of my favorite Family Trunk Project images yet; I'm still sifting through them, figuring out which ones will go on the site, which in the pattern, and so on. David, Mr. Bingley and I went up to Powell Butte, which is topped with a gorgeous abandoned orchard and wide, rolling hills of brambles and brown grasses; a more perfectly Novembery location I have seldom seen, nor a more fitting setting for Ethel Mildred. Powell Butte didn't have the biographical connections to my great-grandmother that, say, Cleveland High School had for Betty Jean McNeil, but as far as matching object to place I think it was pretty inspired.
I completely fell in love with the location too, independently of the photos; there will definitely be return trips if I have anything to say about it. I was happy to be wearing such a wintery garment, though: the wind up there gets chilly!
In addition to the final front, I'm especially pleased with now the sleeves turned out. They're ever-so-slightly flared, with long cuffs that duplicate the horseshoe cable used on both sides of the body. I really like the hand-skimming length as well; it's one more element in a sea of cozy!
Another delight about wearing this sweater is the texture of the yarn, which I think works well with the overall pattern. I've been loving it throughout the knitting process, and wearing the finished garment is equally special. Sadly, I don't know if future Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm yarn will have the same rustic feel; parts of this years' share were processed at two different mills, and I'm not sure which one won out in the end. That said, I'm sure the Martha's Vineyard Cormo will remain gorgeous, and there are also other rustic yarns, should any of you fall in love with the look of this fabric.
The pattern grading is begun, but quite a way from being finished. For a while I was very responsible about figuring out the multiple sizes for every step in the process, but after a bit I got carried away with wanting to finish my version, and I also realized that there's a slight problem that needs to be sorted out with some of the larger sizes. However! I'm hoping to have it ready for test knitters in late December or early January, with the essay released shortly thereafter. In the meantime, I'm snuggling in for a cozy winter.
Beautiful!
And I love the way the sweater goes with the skirt.
Ahh! YAY!
What a beautiful final sweater. I'll be a happy camper when the pattern is finished. And I have to agree that the sweater goes great with your new skirt.
What a beautiful final sweater. I'll be a happy camper when the pattern is finished. And I have to agree that the sweater goes great with your new skirt.
beautiful! It looks great on you and the photos are just gorgeous--great choice of setting.
That is absolutely lovely! :)
it looks flipping amazing! i've enjoyed every one of the family trunk project to date, but i have to say this one is definitely my favorite! (so far)
It's lovely. I'm not sure I could make it through the sea of reverse stockinette, but I think I'll have to give it a try when the pattern is available!
just fabulous! you're a wonderful historian and talented designer. this project is so inspiring!
You finished it!!! It looks amazing. I would SO love to knit this.
beautiful! i love that you've taken a classic style and done something innovative to it. i want to make one, too.
I have been waiting to see this finished item, and it doesn't disappoint! If you're in need of a test knitter, I'd love to volunteer for the job!
Beautiful :)
I think that you've used the perfect type of yarn for it as well... the colour really shows off the pattern, and the rustic-ness of the yarn adds to the feel of the finished sweater.
I've just found your blog not long ago - glad I did!
Fab. U. Lous! If you need a test-knitter, I'll totally do it!
Well of course I love the whole darn thing but d'ya know what?
I'm just going to knit the sleeves. Over and over again in different colours, and then I'm just going to pull them on over anything and where them as... sleeves. The cuff kills me. I love those sleeves.
Oh Emily as usual it's beautiful. And as usual it's unusual which adds so much interest. It's just so textured, which seems like a redundant thing to say about knitting, but wearing that jumper would just make me want to run my hands over it to feel all its bumpy cabley texture.
Well done again. Now go create something else will you? I'm addicted.
It's very artsy with the placement of the cables and totally beautiful. Lovely photos too.
If you need a test knitter, I'd love to knit that sweater. I'm local, I live in Portland. Actually, I used to work at Twisted, so I met you there. However, I would want to knit a 36" size for myself, and it's possible that you already knit that size for the original. Anyway, my Ravelry name is katek8 if you want to contact me.
I love that it is rustic, refined and asymmetrical.
Beautiful photo shoot, too.
Hi Emily! :)
I love the sweater, especially the cable pattern on the front. It looks complicated but natural at the same time. Love the photos, too.