I grew up in pre-oil boom Newfoundland and Labrador. Most of my friends from high school and university are scattered across Canada and around the world, simply because most opportunities were elsewhere.
So it was great to see my old buddy Gilbert in town. Gilbert is a pilot based in Nova Scotia, and his work takes him all over the globe. A few of us went out for a pint at the Duke of Duckworth to catch up. Gilbert mentioned my knitting and wondered if I could make a pair of traditional Newfoundland trigger mitts for a retirement gift for one of his colleagues.
At which point, my friend Danielle added, “Yeah, Heather – I meant it when I asked if you could knit that sweater for me!”
Two commissions!
First, the trigger mitts, since the retirement gift was needed by the end of the month. I had been wanting to try one of the latest patterns from Spindrift Handknits, called the Wesleyville Trigger Mitt, and this was the perfect chance.
Everything went along smoothly, until I discovered I was running low on Briggs and Little Regal Yarn in Dark Grey.
I did the 21st century thing – put out an appeal on Facebook, and within the day, I had bought enough dark grey from a friend’s stash to finish the project.
I’m just throwing it out there to all purveyors of knitting supplies in the St. John’s area: Briggs and Little REGAL yarn is an essential supply for all the traditional N.L. knits – If you stock it, we will buy it!!
Anyhow – back to the commissions. Danielle and I needed to go wool shopping.
Danielle is a visual artist, and I wanted her seal of approval for the colour of her February Lady Sweater.
An aubergine shade of Cascade 220 caught her eye.
The Wesleyville Trigger Mitts are done and in the mail.
Now I’m onto Danielle’s sweater. I’m really digging the colour.
As we were talking that night at the Duke of Duckworth, I mentioned that of all out of my friends, I have probably lived the most of my life in Newfoundland. Which is fine, but I think it would be nice to spend an extended period of time somewhere else, just for a change.
Gilbert said, “Well, just put the money for those triggers mitts in your trip fund.”
As for Danielle’s sweater, it’s already prepaid. You see, Danielle and her husband Jean-Marc lived for a couple of years in the south of France. My husband and I got to stay in their vacant apartment for a holiday a couple of years ago.
I should probably knit Danielle’s entire wardrobe for the rest of her life.
Yarn Cove 