A Very Special Jumper. . .

Earlier this week, I finished my Ola Yoke jumper, designed by the very talented Ella Gordon.  I started the sweater while still in Shetland, and it holds a lot of great memories for me.  The dark charcoal grey is Jamieson & Smith 2ply jumper weight.  Ella herself sold me the cone at J & S headquarters in Lerwick.  The yoke is knit out of a variegated merino yarn by Nova Scotia's Fleece Artist, part of a series of special skeins celebrating Canada's National Parks. The lovely Janet, who was part of our knitting group exploring Shetland (and a fellow Canadian), kindly brought each of us a skein of this very special yarn.

As soon as I saw the colourway - Nunavut - with all its glacial, icicle-like blues and whites, I was reminded of Canadian painter Lawren Harris, in particular his paintings of Baffin Island and the far north of Canada.  I really wanted to use Janet's gift in a garment that would remind me of the great adventure we all had, the friendships we formed, and all the laughs (and there were many).  This pattern and yarn was perfect.

I added a few rows of purple (it's either J & S or Jamieson's of Shetland 4ply - I have long lost the ball band), as a nod to Harris who often includes the colour in his paintings.

I am completely in love with this jumper.  Of all the garments I've knit this year, it definitely has the best fit. The Shetland wool is warm and cozy, and it just feels so good to wear this. The only modification I made was to add a few extra decrease rows for a smaller neckline.  And this will always remind me of a fabulous vacation with a great group of women.