There is a moment, a fleeting magical moment, when eyes meet – a plan is hatched, and you know, you really know that you have a bonafide making commission. This is special. Not for an unappreciative, mere acquaintance – ‘I saw a cute fairisle jumper on the internet-and I wonder if you could make it this weekend?’ kind of commission. This is a special project that one of your dearest loved ones would really like and you are ecstatic that you can, will and want to make it.
I know exactly where I was when this most recent occurrence happened. We were returning from the West Country seeing my folks and popped into the poshest of motorways service stations. I don’t spend much time these days in physical shops so I always enjoy exploring the depths of their farm shop and particularly looking at the clothing. It was there that B and I spotted a rather fetching bottle green aran jumper. I suspect it was designed especially for the retailer and I don’t recall the maker but to hazard a guess I would say Harley.
[As an aside, get ready…Aran is making a comeback. The last few years have been about fairisle patterns, but aran cable patterns are returning. Dig out those patterns and find new bright aran yarns on the shelves. That cable needle is going to be busy].
Now the young man looked at the label, turned the label towards me and we both knew the price tag, whilst fair for the quality and skill of the item, it was a little too spicy for our pocket. Plus…plus and it was then that our eyes locked and without a word the next knitting project was planned.
So, what am I making? Well, I have done a fair bit of research. The start of the project has coincided with a little holiday and so I wanted the pattern to be manageable and not too complex that I couldn’t relax with my knitting. I have chosen a Sirdar pattern and King Cole Forest Aran in Grizedale Forest green.
My natural colour palette would not be straying into the greens. But for the bracken haired boy, the mossy green tones are perfect. Right now, the yarn feels a little thinner than a traditional aran weight. But I know that during the blocking process the 35% wool content will bloom and give a lovely loft to the knitted fabric.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t do a double moss stitch ever again. It’s a traditional aran stitch pattern – but it can be a real pain in the fingers. And yet… because of B I have been happy to complete a full back panel in double moss stitch. I am now on the second sleeve and have left the cable detail front till last. I will need full concentration to tackle this detail and will need to set some time aside at the weekend before I endeavour to start.
After years of not really being that keen to accept of ‘made’ item by his Mum, this is the second handknitted item that B has requested. (Thanks goodness!). After completing my first Pelica vest, I enquired if a version might be a nice idea for Uni. The offer was politely and diplomatically declined and an alternative option was suggested. A cardigan. I turned to Petit Knit for pattern inspiration. I used the Eva cardigan pattern, which has a lovely simple drape, but I changed the side of the button band and extended the length of both the body and the sleeves. The commissioner was delighted with the finished result and I am pleased that the Drops Soft Tweed yarn has formed such a luxurious finish when it was blocked.
A couple of learning points from me. Firstly, if you took to knitting/crochet again for the arrival of new babies, don’t be disheartened when they lose interest in your making during childhood and teenage years. In young adulthood, pennies are tighter and they have their own sense of style you might get your child muse back again.
Secondly it is worth recording body measurements in your phone. You never know when your skills will be activated.
Finally, everything comes round again. Those fairisle and aran skills are on the ascendancy, sometimes mixed in with new pattern constructions or colour choices. Hurrah! I say. Bring it on – a good bit of yarn love bombing is a good thing