This is a very cheerful sweater
And to accompany it, I’m wearing the most cheering pair of shoes I own. . .
Yes, even someone with a dropped foot and appalling balance can gad about in these ridiculous ruby slippers!
Back to the sweater, whose name is Coofle: an old Scots word for a puzzle, game or challenge.
Inspired by the traditional patterns of narrow woven bands, when designing this pullover, I challenged myself to work with a set of motifs with regularly decreasing stitch counts through the yoke: 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5 and 4 . . .
I had a lot of fun designing the yoke chart within these interesting parameters, but even more fun knitting it! I love the way that colours get to play within a set of small motifs . . .
And there’s just something about this palette, which is simultaneously fresh and soft (will I ever tire of Milarrochy Tweed? or yokes? or corrugated rib? I doubt it)
I’m wearing Coofle in the second size, with around 4 inches of positive ease, which is a really comfortable fit for me. This is the right fit if you’d like to wear a few layers underneath (which we definitely need to do here in Scotland, in March) but just pick the size closest to your actual bust measurement if you’d prefer a more form-fitting garment.
I wrote about my accompanying belt yesterday . . .
And the pattern booklet includes the draft and chart to weave it.
Wearing this sweater has really brightened me up over the past week. I hope it somehow brightens your day too!
If you’d like to whip up your own Coofle, the pattern is now available on Ravelry and kits are in the shop.
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Can you please tell me if you are going to have the Coofle sweater kits back in stock? I would love to order one for a birthday present. Thank you.
Hi Irene – we have a small number of Coofle kits available – but are continually juggling stock – could you email Melanie on info@katedaviesdesigns.com and she should be able to help you out
What a lovely design! Thanks for the cheerful photos, as always, your post adds joy.
Love the sweater and love the shoes! Where can I get a pair? Hope the are still around to go with a lovely design.
Such a pretty and cheerful sweater. And you’re looking so good in those glasses and your hair! Lovely.
thanks!
A gorgeous yoke. I am so impressed
What a TREAT to see on my screen this AM! And those Ruby Red ‘slippers’ !! You are a feast for the eyes and a joy to follow.
Thank all of you and guess it’s off to buy that pattern………
Love your beautiful sweater modeled by beautiful you. Your smile radiates love and joy. Those shoes and smile say it all. Tom’s photos of you speak volumes. Thank you for sharing your joy. Wishing both you and Tom health and safety during this most difficult time for all of us. Both you and Tom give so very much to all of us. Thank you…
Love the sweater, the shoes and your beautiful smile. Thank you for brightening our day.
Beautiful sweater worn by a beautiful model who radiates happiness. Love your smile and those super cool shoes. You are an inspiration for all of us. Wishing that you and Tom stay safe and healthy during this scary pandemic. All the best
Hi Kate …beautiful sweater and beautiful outfit…maybe you have inspired me to dress up to try and elevate my mood these days…am having a difficult time with the mood part, but I can control what I wear , right!……all the best pat j
Hi Pat, sending you masses of cheer and a big hug from Scotland x
I love Coofle – and your belt, skirt, and shoes – and I *must* praise your eyeglasses. Chic and happy, what a great look!
Nothing like have shoes that make you smile!! What a great outfit. You look like the embodiment of Spring. Thank you for stepping up your messages understanding that we need to hear a sane, beautiful voice, with Tom’s beautiful pictures in these crazy times. I hope you understand what you mean to us. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents.
Wow…amazing smile….wonderful sweater…and those shoes! I am smiling and grateful. Thank you
Lovely sweater and a very cheerful outfit over all! Click those red heels together and make a wish ! There’s an idea, find The Wizard of Oz to re-watch whilst on lockdown!
Kate, it looks like you have added some short-row shaping at the back neck, above the conclusion of the main set of yoke motifs and before the neckband. Am I seeing that correctly on my phone? If so, can you suggest a maximum limit for these short rows to increase depth without completely ruining the line of the yoke? (I almost always need to raise the back neck of uncollared sweaters.)
yes that’s correct, Kristen – it would be hard for me to suggest a generic ‘maximum’ here without considering issues of gauge / grading / sizing – but here (and as a rule of thumb) I tend to add about half an inch.
Love the sweater and the ruby slippers! What a fun way to dress for the day.
Kate this is stunning! I also found very interesting the parameter you set for the yoke decreasing! :-)
Before I could comment I rushed off to buy one from the shop. This is such a beautiful and joyous sweater, just what we need in these times. And I particularly love your smile Kate, so good to see it. Thank you for brightening my day today, as well all the joy your intelligence, creativity and determination have brought over the years.
Absolutely the biggest smile! What a wonderfully cheerful outfit – love the jumper!
You’re a tonic Kate … thank you!!
Beautiful and cheerful. So glad you’re designing again!
The jumper is really lovely, although I would have a different background colour. I love your shoes!
I really love the interplay between the patterns and the colors! What a happy sweater to knit now in spring time:)
Dear all,
I’m writing from Paris, France : times of confinement. I’m not able to display your website anymore since a few weeks, since I’m confined at home actually. I cannot display it neither on my computer, nor on the cell phone. Do other people have the same problem ? I’m so sad I can’t see and read all the marvellous things you discribe on the e-mail !! but I keep on knitting. Bises de la France Barbara
Hi Barbara, I’m so sorry to hear this – it’s not a problem others are having – if you email us at info@katedaviesdesigns.com we can try to find out what’s happening. Love to you from Scotland.
I had this problem a few weeks ago for about 2 weeks but was able to get there through the website and the blog. It went away on its own.
Stunning sweater, Kate … so cheerful! Yes, a bit of a coofle for me , as I’ve only ever managed a Shetland Toorie – but when lockdown was announced someone posted on social media “Come on, knitters – this is what youve been training for!”
Many thanks for your spirit, compassion and fellow feeling – your emails hit the soothing, calming, creative spot!
That is a beautiful sweater. Amazing colours. Your red shoes set it off with aplomb. X
Oh that really is cheering! Toying with a possible next project. Is there enough yarn in a kit to add about 3 inches to the length as that’s far too short for me? (PS my North Star Snood arrived in deepest Dorset yesterday and it’s gorgeous).
hi Amanda, the length from hem to underarm is graded from 10 to 16 inches (depending on what size you are knitting) and there’s enough yarn in each kit to add around an inch more length. If you feel you’d need another 3 inches, I’d buy an extra ball of the main colour (hirst)
I’m a 4th size so could be long enough. I do like a hip finish rather than a waist. Thank you 😊
glad you like your snood! I wear mine here till May
Rather snuggly this morning in the garden with this cold wind!
Oatcakes, poems, woven belts, new yokes and, above all, the joyous sense of community – in this strange new limbo, you, Tom and all in your team are beacons of continuity and inspiration. We value you deeply.
thank you, Joan
This is just beautiful!!! Thank you for designing such beautiful knits and for the amazing photos that highlight and capture you wearing your own designs. Very inspirational.