Saturday, April 18, 2009

Little March Hare jumper, and a contest!

It's finished! HOORAY!

Knit from Rowan RYC Cashcotton 4-Ply (chartreuse, 6.5 skeins) on #2s and #3s, lovely pale green iridescent buttons from Hickey's in Galway, and too many froggings and modifications to mention. Knitting from a vintage pattern is even more challenging than I expected—apparently the young ladies of sixty-odd years ago were built like paper dolls, because a person would have to be two-dimensional to fit her head through the tiny hole that's supposed to be a neckline. At any rate, it was well worth all the math and tinkering I did to make this jumper fit right. Squee!


I was knitting the first sleeve at the family kaffeeklatsch one Saturday morning after Christmas, and my aunt and uncle were interested to see what I was working on. When I showed my uncle the pattern, he remarked that it looked like something my grandmother would have worn. Then somebody remarked on how most women's wardrobes back then were much smaller, but all the articles were of higher quality and would last longer than today's garments generally do. So with that in mind, I'm going to make a little contest. My aunt Eileen gave my mother a framed copy of this picture last Christmas:

This is a rare photograph of my grandmother with her four sisters. They were separated among relatives—and later foster families—after their mother's death, so this studio portrait would have been a major occasion. Can you guess which of these lovely young ladies is my grandmother? Leave a comment with your guess (I don't mind if you take into account what other people have guessed). The first five people to guess correctly will win a signed copy of any one of my three books (your choice, of course): Moon Ireland, Mary Modern (hardcover or paperback—the paperback edition has an additional essay at the back), or the forthcoming Petty Magic. (If you choose Petty Magic, you'll have to wait at least six months for the galley, but I like to think it'll be worth the wait.)

I was going to give you a good look at my face, but I think that would make it way too easy...

I'll have to think of another contest for the majority of people who read this blog (i.e., people who know which girl my grandmother is because a, they are related to me, or b, they're a good friend and have seen her portrait on my desk.)

Now guess away!

14 comments:

Chris said...

The lady top row, far left:-)
Chris (littlemarchhare herself)

Emily said...

I think she's top left as well!

Unknown said...

I have to disagree ladies. I think she is the top row center.

Geri said...

top left, that's my guess!

Geri said...

top left, that's my guess!

Samsara said...

Uuuummmm, bottom right? :-)

Anonymous said...

Bottom left!

miastick said...

My guess is also bottom left.
Love this jumper, and actually have just cast on my own :) Thanks for the inspiration!

John The Bad said...

I think she is top centre.

BA said...

How great that you cherish this priceless photo as much as I do. It's my understanding that this was taken close to your grandmother's HS graduation. Wouldn't be fair of me to guess since I lovingly know all 5 since one is my mother. Enjoy your blog!

laughingmuse said...

I'm going to guess, bottom right in the photo. (My second guess would be top right.) But this one is not easy! :)

And I love the green sweater, it's adorable.

Andy Baker said...

I'm going with top center as well. And it is a great sweater.

Brenda said...

Darling sweater!

Bottom right. Or top right. Or possibly bottom left.

No, wait! Definitely bottom right.

Aravinda said...

OMG am so late to this train, but top left? ;)