*Then* there was more energy to burn. Still love the sheep sweater and am eternally grateful that perserverance is prominent in my gene pool. Compliments always accompany the annual winter wearings of what has become known in my family as the “Princess Diana” or more simply “the Sheep Sweater”.
L-o-o-o-o-ng time ago, the former McCall’s Magazine used to feature a famous woman wearing a sweater on the cover. Inside the magazine, directions were printed to hand-knit the cover sweater. Two of those sweaters wound their way round my knitting needles. The Sheep Sweater was modeled by Princess Diana. The other was beautiful also, a dressy evening jacket in off-white modeled by Christina Ferrari (former wife of John DeLorean), but the Sheep Sweater is the only one of the two to survive the eventual closet cleanings.
The memory of hand-knitting a sweater using Size 0 (zero) for the ribbing and Size 1 on the body sticks with me to this day–never to be repeated. Falls into the “been there, done that” part of life.
*Now* there seems to be more things to do, using what energy is available. Knitting a sweater still seems like a great idea, but so do many other attention grabbing notions. The pink sweater caught me in a weak moment. The frugality gene insists that money spent for yarn must be rewarded with a finished project.
The perserverance gene is being tested. Severely. This time Size 11 needles are making the work go much faster. Actually the knitting part is done. What has slowed the approach to the finish line is the large chunks that need to be crocheted. An affinity for crocheting was not inherited in spite of my Grandmother’s beautiful crochet work.
Frugality and Perseverance will eventually win out. Until it becomes the next Then, however, Now is looking forward to the last stitch.
PS: Be sure to read the comments, as there have been several interesting additional bits of information about the Sheep Sweater since this was originally posted. For example, if you want a copy of the directions, leave a message in the comment box. A kind knitter in Florida still had the directions and sent me a copy. I will be able to get-in-touch with you via e-mail, but your privacy is not revealed to any one else, if that is a concern to you.
Filed under: Learning Curve, Leisure? Activities | Tagged: Christina Ferrari, Crocheting, Knitting, McCall's, Princess Diana, Sheep Sweater
Hello!
I am mad trying to find the pattern for the Lady Di Black sheep sweater.
I had it long time ago, and when I was going to knit it, I have searched and searched and I just can´t find it any more. I don´t know if somebody in my house found it and destroy it thinking it doesn´t have importance, but now that I can´t find it.
Please, could you please, share the directions and chart for the little sheeps? Thank you in advance and forgive me for bothering, but I don´t know where to find it.
Hugs and kisses,
Fabby
Hi,
I still have my original McCall’s magazine from Jan., 1984 that featured the Lady Di Black Sheep Sweater, the Koala Bear sweater she wore during her first pregnancy and the sampler-stitched sweater.
I will be more than happy to share the knitting instructions and charts.
Helen
Helen,
Yes, please. I would love to have the instructions again. When a comment is delivered to my blog, an e-mail is sent to me from wordpress with the sender’s e-mail address.
I left a message with method of contacting me if you are still interested in sharing the directions.
Thank you for your kind offer.
Great news. Instructions for the Princess Diana Sheep sweater have arrived. I will gladly copy and send the directions to any one who is interested. Our thanks goes out to Helen, who recognized what we were looking for and who still had the original McCall’s Magazine.
Thanks Helen for your helpfulness.
[...] is the not quite finished sweater that was first mentioned several months ago in a previous post: http://coco724.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/then-and-now. The neckline still needs the finishing crochet work; the straggly ends need to be woven into the [...]
I have the actual sheep sweater worn by Princess Diana. It was given to me by a journalist (Delma something) who worked for McCall magazine ( a former friend of my mother). I’ve been trying to locate this magazine as I would like to sell the sweater (kid going to college soon). How funny, I remember Delma asking my whether or not I wanted the koala sweater or the sheep. I’m so glad that I checked this sight. Now I know which magazine to look for. Thanks!
Amazing is the first word that comes to mind. Who knew that a simple description of a 24-year old knitting experience would lead to this moment. Thank you so much for telling us about what happened to the original.