A jumper for life

Having many customers that knit as well as sew, I wanted to share the journey of an amazing hand-knit creation. It all started whilst browsing Instagram, I absolutely fell for this beautiful jumper. Discovered via Amirisu magazine, I love the unusual design to me it's not like your average knitwear. I'm always looking at hand-made knits and I did give knitting a try a couple of years back but failed miserably, plus could I really fit another craft into my life? This, I thought, was so cool though, the colours, the design, the shape... just everything about it.

At first, I dismissed it as yet another item to lust after with unreal expectations, but then I purchased the magazine (which included the pattern) just so I could also lust after it on paper! The magazine has stunning photography, I showed my mum, who can knit, not on this level but she was already on board and sending me texts asking when I was going to get that jumper made! So I began to do some online research looking for possible knitting services, trying to see if I actually could make it real.

During my searching, I came across a post by Tangled Yarn requesting sample knitters. I wasn't even aware of what a sample knitter was, but I felt it was a good lead. I DMed Tangled Yarn and a lady called Rachel was super helpful and enthusiastic - asking me all about the details, sizing, pattern etc. She also said she could put me in touch with people who provide a knitting service. Amazingly she also told me they stocked the yarn the jumper in the magazine was made from, which was good because I know nothing about yarn either. Rachel then told me she had found someone who could make the jumper for me, so all I needed to do was to start saving and make a decision!

The pattern is called Sivu designed by Fiona Alice from Canada, now based in Finland. I read how this sweater design is inspired by Finnish design and nature. There is a great interview with Fiona on the Amirisu blog. All this info on the design was giving me even more reasons to go for it. The grid design, a boxy sweatshirt style and how some of the stitch-work is formed to look like frost on a cold day - I was completely sold! The jumper in the magazine was made from yarn by De Rerum Natura called Gilliat, yarn from sheep that live in the Alps. So really? Can this sweater be anymore for me?!

Then the guilt started to kick in, should I really be asking someone to make something for me? We all know how much time goes in to creating a custom garment. But I reasoned I was commissioning an artist to make me something very special.

Rachel at Tangled Yarn recommended a wonderful lady called Alison to me, telling me this design would suit her style of knitting and ability. We chatted and shared our love of making. She told me she'd love to make the jumper for me and that it looked exciting! Yarn love is just like fabric love, right? The decision was made. I was going for it.

I started to think it was nice to connect with people through knitting, just like I do in the sewing community. As Alison got to work using her skills on the interesting yarn, it became quite a thrill seeing it coming together. She sent me photos and a little knitted sample square so we could work out the sizing. I was admiring each step and it felt good to be part of the process. By this point, I was also now thinking of picking up my knitting needles again. Alison was also really encouraging and hoping this make would inspire me, maybe this was her plan all along! 

I'm so pleased I chose the exact same colour combination as the magazine, I couldn't get those colours out of my head, they just worked with the style and seeing a visual first gave me some reassurance (rather than risking another colour combination). Plus I couldn't find any other versions to look at.

After 8 weeks of updates my jumper was ready. The day it arrived was so thrilling. It was love at first sight! I still can't quite believe this has been made for me, the skill and precision from Alison is amazing. I was quite overwhelmed, plus I think Alison was nervous that it wouldn't fit or that I wouldn't like it. She didn't need to worry - It's exactly like the one in the photo.

To wear it feels chunky but light, warm but airy, kind of spongey and hard to explain... also there is no itch, I don't feel smothered. It fits like a dream and I feel like I'm wearing a favourite sweatshirt. Something about this yarn feels quite raw, a little like you get with a Japanese denim where the natural dyes have intense depth.

The whole process has been such a great experience, meeting new makers and crossing over into the world of knit. Plus I am having a little more success at knitting again with the left over yarn. Thank you Alison and thank you Rachel, this blog is dedicated to you guys for making my dream jumper happen. This jumper is everything I expected and more. Yarn of French and Portuguese merino and worn here in the Peaks, I will treasure this knitting goodness for life x