A Whole Field of Thistles
Greetings, Gentle Readers! I think it’s happening again: Over the weekend, copies of my Thistle Stole pattern started to fly out the digital door at a prodigious rate!
First and foremost, please accept my sincerest gratitude. Your purchases, as you know, support an independent artist, and allow me to continue operating my website as the (rare as a Dodo) ad-free space it is. This windfall is particularly appreciated right now, as I’ve been searching for a new day job since June, and I was really wondering what the remainder of the holidays would look like around here. Many, many thanks.
For the uninitiated, the Thistle Stole is a luxurious rectangular piece which is worked in a big round of stranded colorwork, with knitted hems at the cast-on and bind-off edges. Once complete, the round is cut open along a designated steek (!) to become a rectangle. Then the cut edges are bound with more knitting, and big bougie thistle-shaped tassels are added. Because as you know, Gentle Readers: More is More.
I don’t yet know who this group of Thistle Knitters are. Maybe it’s an extraordinary coincidence. Maybe it’s a private knitalong. Or maybe it’s a well-publicized group project that I have failed to find online. It’s a tantalizing mystery, and one I hope you’ll help me solve.
In any case, I’m compelled to offer my knitters, both the new and the Repeat Offenders, my help in addition to my thanks.
If you would like to add yourselves to the Royal Order of the Thistle (which I totally just made up), I cordially invite you to join in the fun!
Here’s How: Grab your copy of the Thistle HERE. Then if you have a question, want to send a photo, or would just like to say hi, Drop me a line any time as you progress. Here’s my EMAIL, and here’s where you can reach me over on RAVELRY. I’d be honored to act as your mentor and guide you through the process.
Additionally, if you’d like, I’d be happy to create a special Ravelry group just for you. That way you can easily talk amongst yourselves, share your photos and let me know what’s going on with you. If this is something you would like, please contact me and I’ll post the link to such here on the blog.
Since the original yarn I used to create the Thistle is no longer available, I’m especially interested in what yarns you’re selecting for your projects. I’m glad to offer opinions/suggestions/enabling for your substitutions, and a Ravelry group would be great for that. Again, stay tuned here for details.
I’m so honored and delighted that you you still love this pattern, because it’s a favorite of mine. Who knows? Maybe I’ll join you in a Thistle Redux: I’ve long thought this motif would make a gorgeous sweater, and have been waiting for the right time…