Monday, March 26, 2007

I'll Call it Morgan

While I was sewing in the zipper and darning in ends last night, I was trying to come up with a name for this cardigan.

As a work in progress, I've called it The Shetland Sweater and The Andrew Morrison Honorary Cardigan. This is because I found the original inspiration in a sweater worn by a man named Andrew Morrison, photographed on a mink farm in the Shetland Islands in the early 1960s. The photo was in the online archive of the Shetland Museum. It was the first image listed in a search of their archives for my surname.

So, while I sat there sewing and darning, I tried to come up with something that was less of a mouthful than Andrew Morrison Honorary Cardigan, or even AMHC, which is a bit cryptic. Because, not everyone cares about the story, you know?

And I've been working on the Mead Scarf from the lovely handspun alpaca I received from Sarah aka Teleknitter. And her last name is Morgan.

So, I like that Morgan is one of those names that can be for a boy or a girl or a last name. And there are Morgan horses, too, and maybe someone going riding on a gorgeous fall day will want a zippered cardigan.

Unfortunately, Mr. SABLE left on a business trip this morning, so I had to do my own pics with the self timer. It's always a challenge. And usually I have this funny, half-expectant, half bewildered look on my face, wondering if and when the camera will click. So, I edited off my head.

Details
Harrisville Highland Yarn. This yarn feels like steel wool at first, but softens up considerably when washed. I wanted a yarn with a rustic, hairy quality.

Needles: US size 5 and 7 Options circulars.

Pattern: My own, pending.

Note: separating zippers only come in a limited range of colors (maybe more online, but I was shopping locally), so choose your yarn colors with those limits in mind. I ended up with a black zipper, when I would have preferred very dark brown. Nothing else was remotely right.

25 comments:

Bezzie said...

Love it! And I love the story behind the name. (Although I'll always have a soft spot for boys named Andrew...)

cpurl17 said...

I love that sweater. I can't wait for the pattern to come out--it looks like something that would fit me!! :)

Domestic Imposter said...

Congratulations... looks like a lot of time and hard work went into that. Great job!!!

Batty said...

Oh, wow. That is gorgeous, it's every bit as beautiful as the swatches and WIP pictures suggested it would be.

knitaly said...

To me, Morgan is the right name for a pirate, and I think this sweater looks fabulous on a ship-deck too (^_^)

Pinkwool said...

WOW, that is a beautiful cardi, Elizabeth. I had previously thought it was red and black until you mentioned the zipper color thing. I can see the brown where the sunlight hits it. I am sure pictures do not do it justice. :)

Becky in Iowa :O) said...

Another work of art! You never fail to amaze me. :O)

Zonda said...

That is awesome!! It fits you well, you are a pretty good self-photographer! Nice name too! :)

Margot said...

Marvelous. I've really enjoyed watching it take shape. Love the raglan shaping and how the pattern all comes together at that juncture.

I also thought that it was red and black until today.

Sue, aka seiding said...

Wow, Elizabeth, that is a great sweater! Looks comfy and flattering. A definite must-knit!

Molly Bee said...

Gorgeous work! Congratulation on finishing it! It looks great on you!

DeeAnn said...

Oh Elizabeth, that turned out stunning! Very flattering, even with the self timer :) I love the patterning detail on the shoulder decreases. And the story behind it is fun to know. One of the things I like about St*rmores is that she includes so much of story. Looks like you have a hit!

Mag said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ruinwen Dagorielle said...

Morgan is gorgeous! She looks fabulous on you! Congrats on finishing! :)

sophanne said...

That is a beautiful pattern. Congratulations!

Lynn said...

Handsome, handsome, handsome. Good job!

knottygnome said...

it's beautiful. i love the fall colors.

Sarah said...

Beautiful!

And, I'm honored! Morgan is a great name. My Morgan came from my grandad, who moved from Scotland to northern England during WWII to work for the war effort. And actually, his family in the highlands raised sheep. Blackface sheep though, not Shetlands...

Lovely, lovely.

Unknown said...

That cardigan is INCREDIBLE. How beautifully professional. I just keep staring at the pictures.

GURO said...

Wow! That turned out so great. The math involved, the stamina you have with your knitting (I would have gone crazy after a sleeve), your very good sense of colours and shapes... All in all I'm impressed. And I really like the name too. So sweet of you!

Cinderellen said...

Congrats on completing your beautiful cardi. The pattern matching at the decreases is particularly attractive. Wear it in good health.

Jenny said...

Wow, that's great. You continue to amaze me. You're very good at zippers!

YarnThrower said...

I just love the way the neckline looks! It is perfect! I've had similar issues in choosing zipper colors from local stores and have often ended up with black when what I really wanted was something more like dark magenta, or very dark green, etc. However, I wouldn't have even noticed the color of the zipper without you mentioning it. Great cardi!

Dk's Wife said...

Beautiful cardi E. You are a remarkable knitter!

Kay

MiniLaura said...

I love everything about it! I love the raglan seams, I love the collar, I love the name, and the person you named it after!

Beautiful job, as usual!