hello everyone, I can’t believe we are in November, it is becoming very dark here in Shetland. Every year it’s a surprise how quickly the darkness returns, hopefully, the winter won’t feel as long as usual…
since I last posted the summer has passed which leads into Shetland Wool Week and of course the Annual, I was lucky enough to have another design on the cover, the Hattie Yoke:
I’m not going to share too much because the Annual contains an interview with me about the process of designing the jumper but it was inspired by a vintage piece of knitwear from the Shetland Museum and Archives. This appealed to me because if you have ever been to my vintage knitwear talk I always make a point to say as a general rule I don’t believe in copying items in my collection, it’s just not my style and I would far rather take inspiration.
This is the jumper I used for inspiration, a straight-yoke jumper. It belonged to Harriet Stout, a prominent Lerwick lady. I liked the graphic motifs and colours and wanted to incorporate the little flower motif and those coming off the big star – I spent a lot of time swatching for this design. As always once I committed to something I had a series of crisis of confidence, hating what I was doing.. the colours, the motifs.. everything.
But I got there eventually, luckily I started this process in December last year so I had a bit of time for my breakdown, which is always nice.. and the final jumper was something I was very proud of.
I think to begin with I was trying to be too totally different with the colours. Still, when I actually thought about what I liked about it – it was the brown/acidy combination that drew me to it so I went back to that but made it a bit different. Fawn to me is the ultimate base, in Shetland knitting anything and everything goes with it so I wanted to use that as the main colour and incorporate the darker colours in the yoke, I think it worked really well.
I decided to go for a yoke because I enjoy designing them and I think they are easy to knit, the original jumper has a little button band on the back so i decided to incorporate that too by way of a little steek:
With these things I try to be as organised as possible and get the knitting done quite early, then there’s all the pattern work of course but by the time I see it again in September, it seems like both a long time ago and also as if it didn’t come from my head!
So that’s the Hattie Yoke, knit of course in J&S 2ply Jumper Weight, you can find the pattern and interview with me in the 2023 Shetland Wool Week Annual. Thank you all for the kind feedback about it at the time and since.
This year has been a long one for me, I finally admitted to myself that my poor mental health was beginning to affect all aspects of my life – I have taken steps to try and improve things but it will be a long process with lots of ups and downs.. unfortunately, my creativity seems to be a main victim at the moment. I have as always lots of ideas but no motivation to get them going. Last month I also lost my Grandad, which knocked my whole family. He was a very special and loved man.
At the moment I feel like a lamp with a very low flame, soon I will burn bright again but I’m trying not to force it, so I hope you forgive me for my long periods of silence, I am here and will always come back.
ella gordon 
As always, you have produced something which is somehow both traditional and innovative at the same time! Thank you for another inspiring pattern. 🙏
Hi Ella! So good to see you pop up in my inbox. Love your Hattie Yoke! The flowers & colors are so special.
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Granddad. May the time ahead bring you joy & peace ~
♡
Take good care of yourself Ella, you matter very much to all of us. 🙂💐.
Cheers, Karen.
Dear Ella
I’m so sorry to read of your struggles, but so pleased that you still manage to produce such beautiful designs. I’ve gained much pleasure just from looking at your work over the past few years, as have many, many others. All I can do is to let you know how much I admire and appreciate your marvellous creativity and determination in the face of difficulty, and wish you all the best for the future.
Jennifer O’Brien
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Ella the jumper is just beautiful! It’s always a pleasure to see an email from you. I’m very sorry about the loss of your Granddad, but he’ll always be there in your heart.
Sending you a strengthening hug…
Sue Williams
Wishing you well, Ella. Take your time, and may you have everything you need to feel better and brighter soon.
Ella,
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div>It has been so long since I met you
Wishing you ease and peace in your healing process. I am a psychologist in Massachusetts and love all of your designs. Resourcing yourself will be key and then the rest of life comes on line again. And, I hope you can be easy with yourself. Take care, sending much love and light, Jen Maitreya ♥️🐑♥️🐑♥️
Ella, your jumper is beautiful! Congratulations on being the front cover too. So sorry to hear about your Grandad – cherish your memories of him. Wishing you a short Winter as we head into a long hot Summer.
It is a pleasure to hear from you. Anything you design I love. And it is a treat to see the sweater you designed and your process. Struggling with your mental outlook is work and I hope you come out of it a strong person. I think you will.
It is a pleasure to hear from you. Anything you design I love. And it is a treat to see the sweater you designed.
Dear Ella,
wishing you and your family comfort after the lost of your Grandfather. Such times are always hard.
As for having difficulty with your mental health – don’t push yourself. Take all the time you need to recover – go for walks, look at your stash but only to enjoy the colours; and remember that this one too will pass, no matter how long it seems to be going through.
Yes, I have experience – we eventually pinned it down as SAD, got a light box, and now I dazzle myself every morning – through to the end of next March.
That yoke looks amazing. Not sure it would be ‘my’ colours, but amazing none the less. So hang in there, enjoy the scenery, the colours, and healing will come.
Sharon
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Ella, SO sorry to hear about your grandad’s death and other difficulties. Please remember you have fans out here who wish you all the best and follow your work with great interest. Love the colour combination you finally evolved – congratulations on having your pattern featured on the cover.
Very sorry to read about your loss. Please take all the time you need.
Hi Ella
I love your designs, have confidence in them.
Dear Ella,
I just want to say 2 things:
I send you a huge hug. I know how difficult it is to get out of ‘depressions’. December is always my worst month, I try to be prepared and try to tackle a day at the time. 2. I looooooove your cat in the background. He/she makes me smile. 😻
Take care!
Lots of hugs, Margot
What a beautiful sweater and design. Best wishes on your health journey.
Dear Ella,
So sorry for your loss. I hope that you’ll be feeling better before too long. As far as mojo goes, take whatever time you need. We’ll be here.
You’ve been missed. Sending hugs and healing thoughts.