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Often, when I design, the name of the project-to-be springs to life with every stitch. It doesn’t happen from the initial concept, or the first cast on, but sometimes within a row or two or ten or twenty. And generally, by the time I’m ready for the finishing touches, I already have the perfect name in mind.
Often, but not always.
I’m in love with this new design. I love the fair-isle, the colours, the feel of the yarn (Cascade Eco Wool and Eco+). I love the shawl collar and the belt and the garter ridges. And yet, she is still, after several weeks, entirely, completely, hopelessly nameless.
My stand-bys for naming inspiration are generally places I’ve loved. Parks. Cities. Towns. Geographical features. Street names.
And yet, everything I’ve tried for this design fails to fit.
I tried some additional Ontario Provincial Parks.
See, I love parks. I love the woods. And this feels like a cozy fireside kind of sweater. Algonquin, Voyageur, Massassauga, Sandbanks. All unused for sweater patterns on Ravelry, yet none quite right.
Then I started looking at places that I’ve traveled, but almost instantly decided against it. This, to me, feels like a distinctly north-american-rocky-mountain-type of cardigan.
So, to you by dear readers, I pose this challenge. What do you think of when you see this design? Does the fair isle remind you of anything? What would inspire you?
I’m off to the land of the Chicago western ‘burbs tomorrow morning to see my mom and dad and teach two classes at Wool and Company over the weekend. In the short term, I’ve got lots to focus on before I can get back to this pattern. Teaching. Year of Lace stuff. House stuff. Work stuff. Wholesaling stuff. And then life. Dad’s been moved out of the hospital to a physical therapy nursing home. He starts his P/T today, and we’re hoping he can actually do a little. In order to come home, he needs to get back enough strength to help mom help him move from bed to wheelchair to car, etc.
It’ll be a good 5 days. I’m gone Thursday morning through Monday night. When I come back, I’m going to do a full photo shoot and get to work on the pattern editing and sizing.
I’ve got time to name it. I know this. But it bugs me, just calling it, “That big fair isle cardigan jacket thingy… you know, the one with the belt.”
Happy Thanksgiving, if that’s your thing!
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November 24th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
How about something like… Thursday Morning? It’s gorgeous but simple, complicated but rustic, warm but stylish. Just the thing to slip on with uggs before the fire is built in the wood burning stove. A frosty Thursday Morning sweater to cuddle in with a cuppa.
Found you through twitter!
November 24th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I am really not good at the name thing, but I REALLY, REALLY want this pattern! Is it sized for bigger gals or am I going to have to figure that out for myself?
November 24th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
How’s about Hovenweep? http://www.nps.gov/hove/index.htm It’s a national monument on the Colorado/Utah border. Take a look at some of ruins, they are kind of reminiscent of the motif. Also, there’s something about the play on words. Hovenweep/Wovenheep? (OK, I need to stop now.)
November 24th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
It reminds me of a wonderful but nippy long weekend in Jasper.
Or maybe Athabasca? Kananaskis?
Or my favorite Canadian place – Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump? (Just kidding)
November 24th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I love it. The diamonds remind me of a compass, so maybe something like “Magnetic North”?
November 24th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I like the diamonds in the Fair Isle, I would call it something like: “Diamond in the Rough in the Rockies” because I just love the Rocky Mountains
November 24th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
In keeping with obscure national parks references, how about Anahereo? Or Rawhide? Or Jellyroll? Or maybe I should stop with the Grey Owl references.
November 24th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I nominate “Brunton”. The colour scheme and the circular shapes in the yoke remind me of my trusty Brunton transit compass and all the good times spent outdoors mapping rocks in field school. http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=185
November 24th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
When I saw this sweater (and I think I MUST knit this when you release the pattern), I thought of Turpin Meadow in Moran, WY–a wonderful place where my friends and I took an all day horseback ride. The black diamonds made me think of the Tetons nearby and the green/flower motif made me think of the wildflowers in the meadow where the ranch was. OK, pretty wordy, but I love that place!
btw…almost done with my cloudchaser…so excited to wear this one!
November 24th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Oh, it’s just lovely! How about a name with an Illinois theme, like Starved Rock? Or Matthiessen?
Safe travels and happy Thanksgiving!
November 24th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Gananoque. Don’t ask me why. I just think it’s right.
November 24th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Well, speaking as a former employee of a certain Ontario Provincial Park, how about Bon Echo? Seems to me that the two different motifs echo each other in a “bon” way!
November 24th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
my mind is kinda blown, because i was about to suggest “sunday morning,” and when i clicked here to the comments the first commenter had suggested “thursday morning.” and maybe i like that better; it’s less full of church connotations. but yes, the first thing i thought of was that this sweater would be a lovely thing to pull on over pajama pants while i settled in with a cup of tea and the newspaper on a leisurely morning.
November 24th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
The first thought that jumped into my head was
“The First Green of Spring”
I love this sweater…
November 24th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
The shades – bark, moss green, and birch, remind me of the woods or forest. Woodlands?
November 24th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I don’t know, but conifers come to mind. How about Hemlock, or Douglas Fir.
November 24th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
What a gorgeous sweater!! It reminds me of a long ago trip to the Jackson Hole area in winter to Togwotee Lodge. How about Togwotee?
November 24th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
In keeping with
# Emmaline Says:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I love it. The diamonds remind me of a compass, so maybe something like “Magnetic North”?
North by Northwest?
November 24th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Continental Divide Coat/sweater ?
Going home to make turkey now.
November 24th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
When I see this sweater it makes me think of sitting in an Adirondack Chair by a campfire at the beginning of Fall.
November 24th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Perhaps obvious, and maybe taken already, but what about Emerald Lake?
November 24th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
The Big Lebowski, actually. (sorry)
November 24th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I second the name “Emerald Lake” which will have tons of meaning for you and Sandy.
November 24th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
the one that continues to jump out at me is thursday morning. i just like it. all your patterns make me want to knit!! xoxo enjoy time with your family milt!
November 24th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
My first thought was Estes, after Estes Park, the town nearest the Rocky Mountain National Park. But Enos is another idea – Enos Mills was the reputed “father” of the Park. It’s a great sweater – the right name will come!
November 24th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
It looks very cozy to wear near a fireplace or woodstove. I like the name Northern Fireside Sweater.
My favorite Ontariio Provincial Park in Canada is LSPP (Lake Superior Provincial Park), but that did not seem to have a cozy ring to it.
Good luck with you naming, it is a very beautiful sweater!
November 24th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Since it’s a Cascade yarn, how about naming it something from out here in Washington/Oregon? I could see someone snuggling up in that sweater in a nice mountain lodge after skiing. Mount Baker is a pretty good ski mountain. Then there’s the Alpental resort. Snoqualmie. Or how about Rainier?
November 25th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Hmmm. I like Gananoque but you’d need a phoenetic guide for those that have never been there. How about True North?
Or maybe Presqu’Ile? It would be something I’d definitely be wearing there.
November 25th, 2010 at 12:39 am
and many best wishes, love, and light to you and your dad. PT is no walk in the park. Pulling for him from southern Utah…
November 25th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Amy, I want to knit all of your patterns! Sadly I’m not allowed to buy yarn for quite some time, but when I can, Watershed, Cloud Chaser, and this lovely piece are top of the queue. I don’t have any brilliant name ideas, but this sweater does make me think of Banff and Jasper and the mountains. When I make one I’ll be wearing it up at Hecla Island.
November 25th, 2010 at 10:12 am
How about “Snowy Woods? The colors remind my of conifers with snow and the large pattern across the top looks like snowflakes. Or “Winter Forest” or “Yukon” or “Far North”?
November 25th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Definitely ‘Hygge’ – the wonderful Scandanvian word that denotes everything easy, comfortable, soothing and goes beyond all of them. I see much cosy, hygge inducing snuggling down with hot chocolate and marshmallows on a day lit with a white sky and a distance pale sun-ness in this cardigan.
November 25th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
When I think cosy, I think “Cabin”, “Cottage” or a Rocky Mountain inspired “Chalet” and this seems like the perfect sweater to keep around for any one of those!!
November 25th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I hope that you have a great thanksgiving with your family.
The sweater makes me think “Invermere”. Awesome, btw!
November 26th, 2010 at 1:24 am
Blackcomb. The sweater reminds me of a Cowechian sweater, so a BC ski area, and Whistler is already used for a variety of patterns.
November 26th, 2010 at 7:32 am
I love the sweater and can’t wait for the pattern! My 1st thought was Estes Park, it just screams Colorado!
November 26th, 2010 at 8:41 am
How about Greenstone Mountain? – I think it’s in BC (or it might be Alberta)… It just reminds me so much of the Canadian Rockies – It’s a wonderful design – Good luck in coming up with a name!
November 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
When you say cozy sweater by a fire in a forest, I immediately thought of one of my husband’s favorite places where we stayed with friends in an old log cabin. It was in Michaux State Forest at Caledonia Park. Either of those names feel like that sweater to me. Maybe it is my memory of the days we spent there but it was wonderful.
November 26th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
How about ‘Backcountry’?
November 27th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Fab sweater Amy. When you mentioned you like to name patterns after geographical places and this one reminded you of the rockies, my first thought was Waterton. It does have that look of something you would wear curled up in front of one of the massive fireplaces of the old parks railway hotels, of which there is one in Waterton–The Prince of Wales.
November 28th, 2010 at 9:09 am
How about Continental Divide, or just Divide, since it’s a cardigan? It’s lovely!
November 28th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I’m new to your site, but when I saw this, and read your explanation, I was immediately put in mind of the old show, Christy. I’ve been watching it on dvd all week and this reminds me of the opening credits. Something related such as Christy, the Cove, or Cutter Gap would be pretty neat!
November 28th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I LOVE Starved Rock.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I’m feeling something simple like “Coming Home” – that feeling you get when you’ve been away and you walk in your own front door, sleep in your own bed – that’s how this sweater looks. And you’ve been on my mind all weekend, and are experiencing a different kind of “Coming Home” while being with your family. Good thoughts for you and yours.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I vote for something Canadian and with a native connotation. I like Awenda because it’s my favourite park, but I was originally going to suggest Kicking Horse Pass for it’s Rocky-ness and super-Canadiana Air Farce tie in.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
But this is even better… Chrysotile – the only mineral fibre mined in Canada – responsible for 99% of world asbestos production – soft and hard, fibre from the earth, widely used yet somewhat misunderstood. Or not? It works for me.
Take that David Demchuk with your mellifluous Ontario town name!!!
November 30th, 2010 at 9:14 am
How about something to honor your dad–a place, event, or association.
November 30th, 2010 at 11:53 am
High Country? Up Country? It is a very Rocky Mountain High sort of sweater. Beautiful.
December 1st, 2010 at 9:43 am
I instantly thought of Newbury Street in Boston. Don’t know why.
December 4th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
What about Warren? For your dad? It’s got that cool blend of girl/boy that I love about fair isle.
December 22nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I’m new to your site, but when I saw this, and read your explanation, I was immediately put in mind of the old show, Christy. I’ve been watching it on dvd all week and this reminds me of the opening credits. Something related such as Christy, the Cove, or Cutter Gap would be pretty neat!
December 24th, 2010 at 7:26 am
High Country? Up Country? It is a very Rocky Mountain High sort of sweater. Beautiful.