I have to be honest with you today and tell you that I am not at my best. I have been dealing with the effects of migraine all week and unfortunately another terrible headache began flaring up last night. I had hoped to show you the two versions of this pullover which I have knitted (one with me in it) but migraines and photoshoots unfortunately don’t go together. The pullover’s name is Dorchas / Solas – the Gaelic words for darkness and light – but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for the light side of that pairing until I can pull on my pullover and get outside (I’m really hoping that will be tomorrow).
In the meantime, here is Kate C looking fantastic in “Dorchas” – a textured pullover that’s ideal for the winter beach.
Worked from the bottom up with raglan shaping, this pullover is both quick to knit and surprisingly straightforward. While a textured panel is created over the front of the garment, the back and sleeves are knitted in simple stockinette.
I enjoy the way that lace, when worked at larger gauges, assumes a gansey-like structure. At 14 stitches to 4 inches, I find this upsized motif especially pleasing.
I think that the purl sections and strong decrease-line diagonals of this simple lace pattern (yes, it really is simple) lend this pullover an interesting twist on classic maritime texture.
The neckline finish will be familiar to those of you who have knitted the Carbeth cardigan: ideal for keeping out the winter wind while busy with a pair of binoculars, or a camera.
Kate C had fun playing with my Instax camera – a medium I’ve been enjoying in recent months for its combination of the material with the momentary (very different to a phone).
From this beach, which looks out towards Gigha and Jura, we have seen orcas, but there were none on the horizon that day. . .
. . . just the wide sweep of the sky and the sea.
We had such fun styling KC in “Dorchas” . . .
. . .creating a winter walking outfit that’s the opposite of dull or gloomy!
While deep chocolate brown can act alone as a subdued neutral, it also works wonderfully well in a really bold pairing: with dusky pinks or bright turquoises, with pale gold, rust, or zingy, bright orange – as you can see here.
I just love the Dorchas version of this pullover – I’ll be back soon (headaches and photography permitting) to show you my Solas version.
enjoy your Friday, and please send me all your migraine-banishing vibes!
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I am sorry you are feeling so poorly. But I must thank you for the openness with which you describe your condition. It is incredibly useful for well people to get a glimpse into the life of those of us who suffer an invisible disability, and be reminded that even when we manage to lead a fulfilling life in spite of all the losses caused by illness, those losses are still very real.
Indeed. Thank you
😔💜🫂
Hope you’re feeling better soon…
Hi Kate
First of all, thanks for your wonderful patterns and the inspiration you share behind them. I hope you are not insulted, but you may recognise this pattern on the rug I knitted for my niece when she had triplets (unplanned triplets). It is knitted in the colours that she chose and unfortunately not in your yarn. It is knitted for her to use vs to look at only. There are lots of little mistakes but that makes it all the more personal sometimes. I did 7 x 7 squares, about a queen size bed cover.
Re your migraines, I empathise totally as I too know too well what they are. On a trip to Cairnes (Australia), I was told an ? Indigenous approach of eucalyptus behind your ears. It works for some and not for others, but for me it works really well, either dulling the migraine enough so I am functional or getting rid of it. It may be of no use to you and sure you have heard of 100s of things, but given your post, thought it was worth a share. I think anything is worth a share to avoid the ugliness of a migraine.
I do hope you feel better and you are able to enjoy your day.
Cheers
Shell
Dear Kate
sorry to hear you are unwell – hope that Migraine goes asap 🤞
Love Docas great pattern
Diane
New Zealand x
Kate, your articles are always so interesting. Thank you.
You were mentioning migraines and I would like to pass this along. My manicurist used to suffer from terrible migraines and was told about “Daith piercing”. Since she had that done — I believe it’s like an earring inserted in part of the lobe — she has not had another migraine. It may be worth looking into and giving a try. It, evidently, really works.
Hello KDD & Co.
I’m wondering if it’s possible to buy just the Dorchas/Solas pattern? Thank you! Love your work.
Liz in Canada
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Kate
I love your emails although I’m not a knitter and I love this knit. I heard about you on shedunnit. Your aesthetic is fabulous. I’m sorry you are not ok at moment – from a fellow migraine sufferer. Take care Kind regards Shelly
hope you get well soon. I know how crippling it can be. The sweater is beautiful as is the photography.
So, Dorchas, but no orcas?
Hoping your headache clears, debilitating headaches are terrible.
Sending migraine busting vibes across the water. Get well soon Kate xxx
…love the lace panel…reminds me of your “Swan Dance”. Lace is such a nice feature for a bulky, wool sweater as it keeps it light, but warm.
Hoping your head clears soon; migraines are miserable🙏
Hi Kate. There’s no need to respond to this message. I just want you to know that I am praying for your migraine to resolve quickly. Take care, Pam
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Wishing you all the anti-triggers that work for you. I love the body fabric; it looks like scales.
Hope your noggin is on the mend soon.
Feel lots better!!!
So sorry to hear about the migraine Kate. I understand they can be debilitating. I recently read that soaking your feet in hot water can alleviate the symptoms. Seems it draws the blood downwards. Can’t verify but might be worth a try. ❤️
Sending you the best healing vibes. Love Dorchas, can’t wait to see Solas.
Wishing you well Kate!
Hello, dear Kate,
have you tried a hot shower against migrane? First normal temperature, than gradually increasing to as hot as you can bear, pouring over your head.
The other remedy is Chinese Chin-Min oil, applied externaly on the tempels or the area where the pain sits.
I also do yoga breathing exercises in the beginning – to prevent a migrene attack.
Get well soon!
Katja from Ljubljana
oh poor Kate! I do hope you feel better soon! I love this jumper it’s just what I would love to climb into on a cold spring morning and I love the neckline.
Thank you for this club and for your descriptive and illuminating posts. I loved the skaters and the snowdrops in particular. Keep going please when your headaches get better. 🙏🤗
Hope to see you better soon! I love the whole outfit – will knit the sweater for sure. What pattern is the hat and how about the pants! Thanks Linda
Hi Kate,
As a fellow migraine sufferer, I have found a daily Feverfew capsule transformative … the flashy lights are of shorter duration and the crippling headaches are much reduced in strength and length.
I take one 400mg capsule daily with lunch (readily available from a well known Internet seller) . I hope this might help you
Kind regards
Sue
Get well soon. Love the sweater.Deb
Hope it moves away soon. My husband’s physiotherapist has treated migraine clients successfully. He’s says all muscles are interconnected and treatments for sore knees and sciatica often start work from the head and diaphragm. I know that even the most cynical migraine-sufferer might want to have this piece of information!
Rhona
I love the orange beanie in this blog. Is this a KDD pattern? Are you able to direct me to where the pattern can be accessed please?
Thanks
Get well soon Kate