We have at last seen something like wintry weather in Scotland over the past few days. I much prefer a crisp, cold winter day to a muggy, grey wet one (who doesn’t?) so the snow and sunshine have really felt something like a treat. And not least because we have been waiting for exactly the right kind of weather in which to photograph my lovely new Deco cardigan, which we’ve knit up in Buachaille.
As you can see, I have gone all-out for some technicolour Douglas Sirk styling. Because I know you will ask, I am wearing an Alpine Dress from Lindy Bop. I know it is a bit twee, but I absolutely love this print of snowy peaks and red rooftops and pine trees. I confess I was in a somewhat festive mood when I purchased this dress, and fell head over heels for it as soon as I popped it on with my Macallum-coloured Deco. Perhaps it is because this January has been, so far, unusually glum and grey, but sporting this particular Deco / dress combo in public on a bright, sunny day has an, um, somewhat unusual effect on folk who see it. . . for example I was wearing this outfit on Friday when we went to the coach house at Luss for our lunch (following the photoshoot), and, as we walked through the village, I was stopped by several enthusiastic passersby who remarked on my clothing. In the weirdest of these incidents, a group of elderly tourists accosted me and insisted on having their photos taken, each in turn, with The Dress – not with me – for I was merely an unimportant clothes horse that happened to be wearing this fascinating outfit. “Its a little village” cried one, “ooh – what’s she got on underneath” asked another, bending down and lifting up my skirt, “LOOK ITS A PETTICOAT” shouted a third, and finally “don’t go any further, Susan, you’ll be able to see her underwear.”
Happily, up in the hills both me and my garments were free from such attentions.
I do enjoy styling my designs – and I also enjoy finding the right time and place to photograph them. For my new red Deco, it was definitely worth hanging about for the snow to fall, and then pottering around in my wellies in the hills above the Bridge of Orchy!
Bruce is fully recovered (hurrah!) and also enjoyed the walk, though we had to keep distracting him with snowballs to keep him out of shot.
But the main purpose of any knitwear photoshoot is that you can actually see the garment (regardless of how it is styled). I was really pleased with the way that Buachaille knit up for this cardigan, and Tom has done a great job photographing the fabric and the details, as well as the whole garment.
I used vintage buttons from my button box . . .
. . . and a lovely ribbon from Mel to line the button bands.
I confess that Deco is one of my all-time favourites of all the cardigans I’ve designed. It is wearable and versatile, and I am very fond of its design elements, which are relatively simple, but quite effective.
Neat set-in sleeves are picked up and worked in the round.
And the cardigan front features a pleasingly stepped slipped- stitch pattern
. . . which is echoed on the cuffs and back yoke.
One does not have to prance in the snow in a foolish Heidi-like manner, wearing an alpine themed dress to enjoy wearing this cardigan . . .
but I confess I had fun doing so on Friday.
If you’d like to knit yourself a Buachaille Deco, we are hoping to put some kits up in the shop for this weekend’s update. If you are a subscriber to our newsletter, watch your inbox for a discount code we will be sending out to everyone later this week.
Time to get out for another walk in the snow! See you soon!
You look so charming in your outfit and that is a lovely looking sweater with nice shaping! Good to see you out and about with your pal Bruce. I’m sure both you and Tom are even more please than the rest of us that he’s mended up now.
LikeLike
Ok – love this dress so much that I looked at the website and found another dress for you under “new arrivals”. It is the “Lindy Blue …….” You Must
Have it – it is you. Love everything you do.
LikeLike
Beautiful snowy landscape, gorgeous dress and cardigan too.
LikeLike
These photos could have been taken from a children’s book. Darling.
LikeLike
You look like a fairy godmother!! Gorgeous!
LikeLike
Gorgeous!!!
LikeLike
Hee Hee! When I looked at this on my phone’s screen, I thought the buildings were garden gnomes! I actually like the skirt that way, too. :) Sorry about the American petticoat inspection.
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLike
I love the way the pattern shows up the stitch definition of the yarn.
I’m sure you have lots of ideas for Buachaille , already in the pipeline. I wonder if you have ever considered using some of the traditional patterns from fishermen’s guernseys. Each fishing village along the east coast of Scotland and England had it’s own pattern. Traditionally knit in 5 ply Guernsey yarn, in a very limited range of colours, they are very hard wearing, but take ages to knit! A double knitting yarn like yours would be so much quicker, but could still show up the intricate patterns.
Gladys Thompsons ‘Patterns for guernseys, jerseys and arans’ has some lovely patterns and I think it is still in print.
LikeLike
(In addition to the lovely sweater and amazing yarn.) Yay, Bruce! Ceilidh had surgery yesterday. Last night was tough on us all, but today’s much better. She’s napping in “her” chair. Dogs on the healing path: good.
LikeLike
Bruce sends wags to Ceilidh! Get well soon!
LikeLike
That dress is definitely an eye catcher and I bet will draw crowds every time your wear it. I love it with your new sweater which is lovely. Also, so glad to hear that Bruce has recovered and can play in the snow with you.
LikeLike
I got so lost in how beautiful your sweater is I hardly noticed your dress but when I did – WOW gorgeous! The whole outfit is stunning – haven’t seen “petticoats” in years :) in Canada we call them crinolines – on your dress especially with the border print they just set it off beautifully. Thank you for sharing your lovely outfit.
LikeLike
This is really lovely. I’ve been planning to make Fintry sometime this spring, but I think this is going to jump the queue. I don’t know how I missed it until now. (And glad to read that Bruce has recovered.)
LikeLike
This IS a gorgeous cardigan! If someone would wear the smallest size, will the price of the Deco kit in your shop reflect the correct number of skeins for that individual, or does the kit contain enough yarn to make the largest size? I ask because it appears that the largest size requires twice as many skeins as the smallest, so that would not be cost-effective for a very petite person.
LikeLike
The kit in the shop are graded per size – so you’ll only be purchasing the correct number of skeins for the size you require
LikeLike
Wow! Every single thing about this is beautiful–dress, landscape, Deco, you. What gorgeous photos of it all. That’s it, Deco is my next knit.
LikeLike
OMG – that dress? with Crinoline? I LOVE IT! oh, great sweater, too. :-) Seriously – you are so clever and have such a good eye for what works. I love your posts.
LikeLike
OMG – that is the cutest combination I have ever seen – love the sweater, love the dress, and love the photos!! A beautiful job well done by everyone – so happy that Bruce is better, too!
LikeLike
I just love this post, the sweater, the snow, the amazing dress which I think I would even wear simply since there are trees, snow, and mountains running around the hem. I am up at 4 a.m. as we have had bashing howling winds all night and I can no longer sleep. We have no snow and I am miserable but this post has got me smiling.
PS so glad to see Bruce is back up and around outside with you both.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you got to enjoy a sunny day in such a lovely outfit. The dress is too much fun and I think you couldn’t help but smile while wearing it. And make other people smile. I love the cardigan. I don’t know when I’ll be good enough to try it but one of these days I’ll work up the courage. Have a splendid day.
LikeLike
Aww- I find your new outfit entirely delightful and I smiled from the first picture to the last! Totally worth waiting for the perfect setting! The color of the sweater is a triumph- so hard to get a perfect, soft yet bright red. Well done! And glad to see Bruce is ready for action. :)
LikeLike
I forgot to say there is also a new Heidi film out – and most German-speakers have never heard of the Sound of Music… :o
LikeLike
Lovely Post , Kate!! Any chance of a similar pattern update for Braid Hills?
LikeLike
AHA! You read my mind. We are doing this right now.
LikeLike
:-) Thank you for this fun colorful story. It put a smile on my face in this dull, dark January month!
LikeLike
ps and Alina the Cocker is enjoying bouncing around in the icy snow in her new Norwegian jumper!
I’m sure Bruce has never been happier…
LikeLike
I love all your styling (adored Buchanan) but this is more fab than ever – you look brilliant (and Heidi was dark and curly, if you read the original book!). I adore colour and bright prints, but I don’t think I could carry this off, even if I was as slim as you ;o The Swiss around me tend to stare, as it is, what with black and grey being considered the “done” thing around here… but I can dream!!! As I’m presently in an Alpine village in the mountains, this is still more wonderful :)
There is a series of very traditional Swiss children’s books from the 60s by Alois Carigiet (carigiet.net in English), one of which has just been filmed up here in the Engadin, where they are set, and just hit the Swiss cinemas, Schellenursli (in English, apparently The Ursli Movie, ugh) – if you persevere, you might be able to catch up with it sometime in the future. One of the companion books is about Ursli’s sister, Flurina, who sports a bright cardigan like Deco… Enjoy.
Re. the cardigan: a nice pattern and not unlike one I invented to go with my Bavarian dirndl dress… the slipped stitch is not far off the traditional Alpine travelling stitches!
LikeLike
Lovely ensemble, but I must admit my favourite is the red petticoat, it takes me back to when I was a girl…..
I am not surprised at all the attention you got! Just delicious.
LikeLike
hello Bruce! You will be able to find that human in the snow without any trouble if she is wearing that brilliant red!
LikeLike
Are you still haunted by the fabulous green vintage dress you left behind in Frome? Even I, a dedicated non-dress wearer remembers it. Hope this one makes up for it .
LikeLike
Be still my heart…the minute I touched my first skein of yaffle I knew it would someday make Deco. Thanks for beating me to it and giving me that push to make it. Love the encounter those folks had with your dress!
LikeLike
Oooh! A fellow yaffle fan! That was my first thought when I received my seven skeins –
Deco in yaffle, but loving it in the red macallum too!
Kate the colours are adorable and Buachaille is one of the most nicest yarns I have ever knitted with, it handles so beautifully !
LikeLike
As usual you put a huge smile on my face Kate. What a joy it is to read about your antics and about your yarn and your patterns! And did I mention how much I love that red Macallum? Thanks so much for being.
LikeLike
I had to look at this one more time today. I am swooning over the ribbon detail. Well done.
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful!! I love your design sense and your sense of style!! I love Deco and have toyed with the idea of knitting one. I love Macallum. I think I’ve found a match made in Heaven! I’ll be watching for the kits and the discount, but may have to wait. I’d like to make mine longer so I would need more yarn to do so, which wouldn’t be in the kit. We’ll see.
So glad Bruce is healed! They do like chasing snowballs!!
Smiles!
LikeLike
Love that post, dress, sweater! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Did you break into a verse of “The hills are alive, with the sound of music……”?
Your Deco is beautiful. Your dress is so wonderfully retro – those ladies of a “certain age” probably remembered when they wore frocks like that. Honestly, twee or not, it is much prettier than ratty jeans and scroungy t-shirts, which seem to be de riguere fashion now, along with sky-high stiletto heeled, pointy-toed impractical court shoes. I’ll take the Wellies instead!
LikeLike
Lovely, as usual, and yet another example of how your non-mainstream styling brings your knits to life. At the same time it certainly makes me wish I lived somewhere where January is a little less wintry than here on the north shore of Lake Ontario (wind chill -21C as I write). Great to see Bruce back in action.
LikeLike
The outfit, the cardigan and the photographs are spectacular! Thanks for sharing
LikeLike
Funnest post ever!!! And the sweater is a joy to behold.
LikeLike
Lovely.
Everyone is making Heidi references, but I have to ask- do you feel like “the hills are alive, with the sound of music”? I sure do!:)
LikeLike
A perfect setting to show off a really wonderful outfit. I have admired Deco for a long time and so can’t wait for the kits to arrive. bx xxx
LikeLike
Fabulous! Will the kits be in various colours or just the red. Would love a blue deco.
LikeLike
Don’t complain about being mobbed when you walk around town looking so adorable!
LikeLike
Wow, such stunning pictures! I love your new red Deco and your dress! I’ve also been planning to knit Deco for a while, and I’m glad to see that you’re updating and streamlining the pattern, because my ME head has a little trouble processing knitting patterns with lots of elements in them. I have been planning to knit mine in red too, so this was a big boost! Lovely to see snowy pics from Scotland, I have only been there once in May (was in Luss actually!). Enjoy the weather and your new outfit and walking with Bruce again :)
Love from Oslo (we are enjoying the same weather and snow here!) x
LikeLike
What a team you three are! And how your eyes for style harmonise!! Love everything about this post, not least the glow in your (and Bruce’s) face 😉
LikeLike
This posting made my day (it is pretty cold and grey here in VT)!
LikeLike
I’d just like to add that the new version of Deco looks great. I love the transformation of Art Deco styling into knitwear. Buachaille is so nice to knit with I am very tempted. I had been thinking about Epistropheid for my free pattern, now I’m thinking about this (I have really been enjoying thinking about which pattern I should get, Boreal was a front runner for a while).
And finally… I’d like to say I really appreciate how you have kept postage costs low, that often ends up adding hugely to wool purchases, so it is great that you have kept that, and the cost of Buachaille, more affordable.
LikeLike
Good grief, those are some bold tourists! That styling makes me want to drop everything I am making and knit a Deco so I can have a pretty new sweater and snow!
LikeLike
Wonderful outfit! Your styling is second to pattern of your wedding sweater, and one and the sweater is one of my favorites.
I have been hoping for a pattern of your wedding sweater and will be making an Islay version of it next winter. I hold out hope for a Christine Johnson pattern! xo
LikeLike
Oh dear my typos!
Should read-Your styling is second to none!!
LikeLike
Dear Kate
I love your cardigan,and your dress is matching perfect,STUNNING!!!!
This photos are so beautiful,well done Tom!
Great to hear,Bruce is fine now :-)
kind regards
Patricia
LikeLike
Oh I cannot wait! I’ve left that pattern in my Rav cart for months afraid I would pick a yarn that wouldn’tp properly highlight your astounding pattern. Thank you for solving that problem for me . Looking forward to the kit release and seeing the color options. Thanks!
LikeLike
Well, your sweater and dress, and Tom’s photos cheer all of in wintry climes! I laughed out loud at the gaggle of oldies cooing and plucking at your dress–perfect! You’ll fondly remembered for years to come as the high point of their trip.
LikeLike
Beautiful cardigan and the photos are fantastic.
LikeLike
I get the same effect every time I wear my Baaaa-ble-hat funnily enough.. complete strangers have taken pictures of me wearing it in shops or out and about… I knitted one for a friend’s kid and the same things happen to him! he was even called in his head-mistress office at school, because she wanted to know where he got his hat from… :D so folks around where I live would probably never survive it if I was to wear such a beautiful dress :D
LikeLike
People don’t really dress up anymore, do they? So perhaps seeing someone who’s made an effort on an ordinary day does stand out these days. I think someone might have got a slapped hand if they’d tried to see up MY dress, so kudos to you for not starting an incident! ;)
LikeLike
Love the cardigan and the dress!
LikeLike
Dear Kate, That Deco cardigan makes me positively drool with envy. I must have one! So stylish and yet so simple! And really, HOW could you resist Bruce’s face during the photo shoot? He obviously loves your knitting as well!
LikeLike
Such fun. Forget Heidi….you look like a fifties version of Snow White; so beautiful and I can’t wait to buy that kit!
LikeLike
Soooo beautiful – love it!
LikeLike
What wonderful photos, you really look good in those colours and setting them against a snowy landscape is striking! Really like the cardi pattern too. Thank goodness the sun has come out here in Oxford too, only we haven’t had any snow. 😕Yet!
LikeLike
Love this post – the Deco, the dress, the scenery, even your snow (although I’m hating my snow here in Michigan about now), and that Bruce is back in good form. I love the image of the old ladies in Luss poking about your dress. I do hope Tom wasn’t wearing a kilt, or they might have ganged up on him, too.
LikeLike
I agree, Tom did an exquisite job of photographing the details of your Deco Cardi! I must confess however my favourite shot is you in training mode with Bruce…adorable! So glad both Bruce and his Mom are feeling better!
Your story of being pawed whilst walking in town is hilarious! Glad Susan didn`t search any higher…lol.
Truly a gorgeous ensemble!
LikeLike
You look utterly fabulous on your gorgeous dress and cardi and I’m not surprised that you received a coach load of love. In fact, if the coach load had walked on by, it would have been unjust.
LikeLike
Gorgeous! And your dress! And the combination of all!! And this yarn for your cardigan… lovely everything.
LikeLike
Oh, Kate, I love these photos! They’re absolutely delightful – cheers to Tom and also to you for the styling. (And I must admit, you’ve got me looking forward to the return of the sun even more now!)
I’ve experienced similar (if slightly different) effects when wearing a cheery dress – this cheery dress: https://www.instagram.com/p/sgVuF_mlCr/?taken-by=cheshirevintage No one went so far as to ask to have their photo taken, but on a walk through our neighborhood in Seattle my husband and I felt the neighbors we passed were far more cheery and friendly than we were used to. Chris pointed out the effect of my outfit.
LikeLike
ye gods that dress is F A N T A S T I C
LikeLike
That dress is enough to make me want to start wearing dresses again – beautiful and cheerful!
LikeLike
That was one of the ‘funnist’ (Ok I know it’s not a word but…) posts ever. You DO look stunning but isn’t it amazing how people can be so…………oh, what is the word??? lacking in manners!! Great outfit.
LikeLike
That is one amazing photoshoot, I’m not surprised you turned heads! 😊
LikeLike
Everything about this post is beautiful Kate.
LikeLike
What a splendid post on a grey Seattle morning! I already purchased the pattern through Ravelry, so will look for the update. And, a kit…with a bit of a discount? Way too much temptation for me to resist :-) Even though I just ordered yarn from you yesterday, you will be seeing my name again this Sunday! You and Tom certainly put together magic in all your pictures, and of course, I know Bruce is a big help. Really, I think a shot or two of him with your creations would be fine — he is such a photogenic being, as you and your Buachaille are.
LikeLike
Deco was also the pattern I chose as my free pattern for being in the 7 Skeins club!! I love the lines of it and it is truly stunning in red and with that dress.
LikeLike
Happy Winter, Kate, Tom and Bouncing Bruce,
It’s wonderful to see him Back at it! I just adore “Deco”! I’ve been trying to decide on a great sweater that is for all occasions. Seems that you just dropped the answer right in my lap! Now I just have to decide which of the marvy colours of Buachaille to pick. I was wondering, you mentioned a bit back, that you would be releasing the pattern for the sweater that you wore for your wedding…without going back to the post, I was just wondering about that, this isn’t it is it, I just can’t recall after all the pattern sweater searching I’ve done in the last few days? Can hardly wait until Sunday, until then…enjoy a bit of a toddy by the fire after your snow play and walks, it wouldn’t do for you, Tom or Bruce to get a cold!
LikeLike
Hi Kirsten – I will be doing a pattern for the wedding sweater – but I’m afraid its earmarked for a collection that won’t be released until October / November.
LikeLike
This entire post, and especially the photographs, just made my day. I too have had Deco queued for a long time. I never thought you could improve on the colour or styling of your first one, but oh my, how lovely it is in red! And in the snow! Deeply envious here in grey, soggy Ireland…thanks for the lift, Kate xx
LikeLike
regarding the last two photos:
“the hills are alive, with the sounds of music” a Scottish version of Austrian scene. I love everything about the sweater design, and the dress is killer.
LikeLike
singing along here!
LikeLike
Sensational ensemble! I’m glad that Buachaille works so well with Deco, which has been in my Ravelry queue for so long waiting for the right yarn. Obviously, the right yarn has arrived.
LikeLike
Oh fantastic! Deco is the pattern I chose when you made us a present of a download, and knitted up like this it looks stunning. So do you and your over-the-top dress, lucky it snowed, wasn’t it!
LikeLike
Lovely story! A nest of little ladies descending on your dress and looking at your petticoat?! Hilarious! I can’t wait to get a kit and try my own Canadian version of Deco.
LikeLike
Can’t wait to get the kit for Deco! I’m not surprised you were stopped by people commenting on your outfit it is so cheery and bright and beautiful. I love your style. Glad Bruce is back to his old self, I love seeing his photos and your narrative about him .I live in Michigan and we’ve had days of snow and it’s grey and dismal out with no sun again today so your cheery pictures have definitely brightened my day.
LikeLike
I love my DEco – and I also consider knitting a second one ;-)
LikeLike
which red colour did you use?
LikeLike
Its Buachaille in shade “Macallum”
LikeLike
Your cardigan is lovely, that red is so striking – and your dress, very 1950’s and matches the cardigan perfectly. I need a cardigan and a dress like this!!!
LikeLike
beautiful! I think I need a petticoat for some of my dresses!
LikeLike
This post is sheer joy! You, Bruce – without the cone of shame, and Tom behind the camera. I am mortally tempted by Deco. I have yarn 😊 I love the details and snaps! And ribbon lining! And antique buttons. I have stash that would work. My only problem is lack of a proper waist. At overweight and 73, mine seems to have disappeared (about 40 years ago if the truth be known). I might have to alter the pattern….
The post Christmas wintery mood leads me to tell Tom and you that I finally made the Desmond pies after getting together the ingredients and the pans. They look like your picture and taste better than I even imagined. Thank you for both.
LikeLike
Hi Kate ,
I love everything about this post , you are so inspiring in all that you do…..
Can’t wait for the kits , love the cardy and oh my the dress is fantastic , glad to here that Bruce is fully recovered and able to enjoy the snow as well …..
Happy New Year ……
LikeLike
love this post and even though I’m a knitter and adore the sweater I think I spent most of my time looking at your dress lol. The whole outfit looks wonderful and suits you very well
LikeLike
I had already decided to knit Deco in Buachaille. It’s been in my queue for years. It’s like you read my mind! Or maybe I read yours……
LikeLike
Fabulous photos…I would love to knit deco in your beautiful yarn. I already have the pattern so only need the yarn. Can you tell me how many skeins I would need? Thanks
LikeLike
Oh Kate, this post is pure pleasure and I see Heidi doesn’t have to be an insipid blonde. The new look of your blog is particularly crisp today with such sparkling happy photos and I love the red net petticoat and festive dress. As for the cardigan, it is so simple and stylish that I do believe it might suit even those of us who are rather too matronly to be channelling Heidi.
LikeLike
love it. you look gorgeous in red
LikeLike
What a beautiful outfit! I love this look. Deco is truly a delight and your knitting is always so fine x
LikeLike
You know, I’m not surprised that you got all that attention in Luss. Your sense of your own style, and what suits you, is perfect. Not many of us could carry off the dress you are wearing, but on you, with your gorgeous cardigan, it is perfect – even with wellies and in the snow! Your style is inspiring.
LikeLike
Oh, lovely! Deco has been in my queue *forever*, but I keep making gifts ahead of making something for myself. Maybe this will be the push I need to knit it. Is the pattern changed at all?
LikeLike
Hi Genevieve, I’m about to issue an update to the pattern with the new photography, new layout and a few minor changes – it was written 5 years ago and I’ve streamlined my pattern-writing style a little since then – there’s also more sizing information and details about fit, but the bones of the pattern itself are essentially the same. The update will be available later today.
LikeLike
Ooh, is the new version of the pattern worth getting if you (meaning me) are an inexperienced knitter who has an abandoned Deco-in-progress in her closet? I think I went up two sizes for the sleeves and I still can’t fit my surprisingly broad shoulders in them comfortably. Any chance that the new sizing info might help me face the task of redoing them?
LikeLike
Hi Tuuli, there is much clearer sizing information in the new version of the pattern. If you bought it on Ravelry you should receive the update automatically within the next few days.
LikeLike
Brilliant! The Snow, the dress and the wonderfully warm Deco! you brighten my day, Kate!
LikeLike