This is the story of a sweater. About 17 years ago I discovered this fantastic French yarn company called Phildar. The Phildar company had tons of knitting pattern magazines, and they also sold yarn. I was just starting to get back into knitting, so when I found these magazines I was totally in awe of everything in them.
At that time, they didn’t sell the magazines on their website, and I think the site itself was in French (they now have an English website, too). I knew a little French, so I was able to easily navigate the site to find what I was looking for: The Irlandais Winter knitting pattern magazine.
This magazine contained the most beautiful cabled sweaters, evoking the style of Ireland. I went to Ireland on my honeymoon, and had fallen in love with the country. And so I went on a quest to find where I could buy this fabulous knitting magazine.
I eventually tracked it down in Canada. I forget what website I found it on. And that is how I started knitting the white cabled Irlandais sweater.
You might ask yourself, has she finished knitting it yet?
Nope. Not even close. I got as far as knitting the back of the sweater, up to where you have to shape for the armholes. And then I had a baby, and the sweater sat on needles for a long time.
It’s a beautiful sweater, and I hope I’m skinny enough to fit into it when I’m done. My body has changed a little since I cast on. If it doesn’t fit, Kelsey can definitely wear it. So at least someone can enjoy it!
I’ve been on a good run lately of finishing things, like republishing this blog. And writing my book. I’ve even cleaned out my closet and organized it. So I’m thinking of finally finishing this sweater.
The cables are so intricate you have to follow the pattern diagram and then you have to interpret the french knitting instructions. When I bought this it didn’t come with English instructions. So there are multiple obstacles standing in the way of me easily figuring out what I need to knit next.
It’s been on needles so long that I’ve also forgotten where I left off. I only have a row number to go by, which may or may not be helpful. We shall see.
This is but one of many projects on needles that I’ll be highlighting week to week. Hopefully, things will soon make it off the needles, and into my closet.