Cast your mind back a few months. To about October. Or September [that long, really?]. I have had the following words that I wrote following me and haunting me
"I'm really hoping to have it released in the next week, if not sooner..."
The hours those words have consumed me is tragic. Consumed. My Opus.
A few days turned into a week, weeks. A month, months.
Writing this patten has been fraught. I wanted it to be right - absolutely right [it wont be. I'm sure there are mistakes. I am but human]. Yet I chose an uncomventional way to write this pattern. The sizing was difficult. I changed my approach. Which meant rewriting the pattern. It meant writing each size as their own pattern, drafting each size out and writing 4 individual patterns. I've checked it, and rechecked it. I've got stupidly excited about merging multiple PDF's into one large PDF. I've done this without help, without tech editors and without someone there to bounce ideas off. Rightly or wrongly - perhaps I need to change that. My point, is that this has been an absolute labour of love, and I get sweaty palms thinking about releasing this.
Because it is a very considered pattern. It's a beautiful pattern. It's a pattern which has sat brewing in my head, on paper, on needles for such a long time that it is almost heartbreaking to put it out there. But...I want other people to make this. I want to see what it's like in different colours, different wools, different contrast fabrics and what you think will work nicely. I want it out there. And I want you to like it. Pia loves it. And she looks fabulous in it, even on the 30 degree days she's chosen to wear it on and will not be persuaded to change into something cooler. I want that for your daughter, niece, god daughter, granddaughter, friend.
And now it is done.
In all it's soft alpaca and Liberty print fineness, the pattern is now available at Ravelry. A more comprehensive description appears on the pattern page, and on Ravelry.
As a christmas gift from me to you, I would like to give 3 patterns away. Leave a comment and tell me which wools and fabrics you would use if you made it - because I'm curious! - and 3 random names will be drawn this Friday at 6pm [Sydney time].
congratulations, Alison. a work from the heart is the best kind possible -- and it is perfect in every way -- mistakes included :) (not that there are any!)
Posted by: julie | December 22, 2010 at 01:57 PM
It really is gorgeous. I would be tempted to use the very same materials. Other choices for the wool might be a silk or cotton or even a Suri. I always love a bit of liberty. I might consider doing it in navy. I applaud you and wish you the very best in the new year.
Posted by: Nancy | December 22, 2010 at 02:21 PM
A glorious piece and Pia looks stunning in it.
You know me well, which means I would make the smallest size possible (as I'm so slow with the sticks) and as for yarn I am really loving the Koigu (KPM).
My cousin (Amy) is finally pregnant and I'm hoping it's a girl.
Posted by: Kate | December 22, 2010 at 02:22 PM
What a beautiful sweater! I would use Spud and Chloe's Moonlight (Superwash wool) and something embroidered from Globalweave Textiles.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Shirley | December 22, 2010 at 02:53 PM
I have no idea what to make it out of, but wanted to tell you how beautiful I tink this pattern is. I will try very hard to get my Mum to knit this for my 4 daughters. If she starts now she could have one ready for each of them by winter (maybe). Right, off to ravelry!
Posted by: Cate | December 22, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Oh so exciting! Thank you thank you for the wonderful and elaborate work. This design is so unique. I know it will not disappoint. Will make it for my Lieveke, who'll be 5 years soon and perhaps in Drops alpaca or Madelinetosh light.
Posted by: Lies | December 22, 2010 at 07:31 PM
The dress is amazing! So elegant, modern and effortlessly beautiful. I am just a beginner knitter, but I will surely put this is my Ravelry queue and start thinking about what yarn to use! The yarn needs to complement this dress, so it has to be silky, warm, beautiful.
Posted by: Tuija | December 22, 2010 at 07:56 PM
this is such a gorgeous pattern...i have a teenager who wants one!!!
as for choice of yarn, i would have to go hunting for something special...
clever you...congratulations...
Posted by: jen | December 22, 2010 at 09:30 PM
It's gorgeous! Your daughter rocks it.
Thanks for the giveaway! I've got two young girls and I'd love to make this up for the eldest (and have her hand it on down)
I'd knit it in a soft, hand-dyed Viola yarn (probably Seastorm) and pair it with the Liberty blue Mabelle or Anna Maria Horner's pretty voile.
Posted by: sue | December 23, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Alison! It's beautiful! And I hereby volunteer to make one for Floria. :)
Posted by: CreatureofHabit | December 23, 2010 at 03:16 AM
it is stunning - and i want to see my toddler girl prancing in it, loving on it. yarn? i'd think something with a soft halo to it would be lovely - something with a touch of alpaca or cashmere, ideally. i can see it in a dark navy or charcoal paired with a shade of sunshine solid fabric, shot cotton. or perhaps a cherry red paired with some mirabelle liberty of london fabric. or a linen shade of wool with some lecien memoir a paris tiny print floral. so many lovely possibilities.
Posted by: grace | December 23, 2010 at 03:29 AM
I would make it in a a soft shade of grey for my niece. Yarn choice would Woolen Rabbit Whisper Merino. For the fabric insert, I would be spoilt for choice by all the amazing fabric designs on Spoonflower - possibly a pink or a dark purple pattern.
Posted by: saffronskye | December 23, 2010 at 04:02 AM
First of all, WONDERFUL for you to have this wrapped up right before Christmas. It truly is a work of art -- and not just any pattern, after all -- so I think the extra weeks were just right.
I have to admit, I always thought I'd make this is the same grey color -- maybe with an insert of pale pink fabric, maybe raspberry -- but I would definitely use the velvet ribbon and velvety button just like you did. Alpaca seems like the soft choice, here, too....in fact, I'm going over to Knitpicks right now to take a look at what they have.
Merry Christmas, by the way. [You're really sweet to offer the giveaway..... :-)]
Posted by: Tanya B. | December 23, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Lovely and sweet! I love the drape of the knitted fabric--beautiful.
Posted by: Becky | December 24, 2010 at 03:46 AM
This is such a wonderful design. (And I love the detail shots on the pattern page.) Wishing you and your family a happy holiday.
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Posted by: Abercrombie Online | January 05, 2011 at 01:57 PM
gorgeous...absolutely Al..every image..every bit of it~x
Posted by: theresa/t does wool | January 11, 2011 at 03:47 AM
Nimbus is a fantastic organic merino yarn (by Atelier Zitron). I would combine it with a traditional yet discrete portuguese patern.
Gorgeous images!
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