Jumpers

Reproduction of *Let’s Make Love* jumper

It’s still sweater weather and what’s wrong with that! When thinking about about my autumn-winter wardrobe, starting to pull on wooly socks and chunky knits is something I look forward to every year as the nights draw in and there is that fresh morning chill in the air. As we now enjoy signs of Spring, we have a way to go before there’s any chance of hot weather!

There’s a new addition this year. I finally found a pattern very similar to the blue Aran knit sweater worn by Marilyn Monroe as Amanda in the 1960’s film Let’s Make Love. Although not one of my favourite films, I do watch it for the songs and the clothes!

A definite highlight is Marilyn singing My Heart Belongs to Daddy in the blue Aran Jumper and black tights. I think it’s a good nod to casual Sixties dressing although obviously she is dressed for a rehearsal, not going out! The jumper looks lilac-pink during the number as the lights are pink.

Marilyn under the stage lights in the diamond version

Look carefully and you will notice two variations of the jumper are used in the scene. One with blackberry stitch and diamonds, the other with honeycomb stitch, V cables and a wider boat neck. Do you have a preference?

Marilyn wearing the V cable version and widened boat neck

For some interesting history about the origin and story behind the two versions of Marilyn’s jumper in Let’s Make Love, read Edel Macbride’s post and check out her beautiful knits while you’re there.

It would look great belted, with a pencil skirt or with slim black trousers or a pair of jeans. An Aran Jumper is a classic and can be styled into many eras. I particularly think of Goldie Hawn looking gorgeous in The House-sitter wearing an array of boyfriend jumpers with classic fit jeans or leggings.

I love the idea of a coloured Aran knit as I have generally seen them in neutral colours, and although this blue one is from the Sixties, it somehow feels modern and new. Maybe that’s just me.

Vintage Aran pattern available on Etsy from VintageKnitsPDF

Having knitted the vintage pattern from VintageKnitsPDF on Etsy, I now know the alterations I will make for the next one I knit. For example, extending the ribbed edge, shortening the ribbed boat neck and widening the central panel of pattern. However, the pattern is ever so close and it is a beautiful vintage knit.

Authentic vintage pattern – Aranbeg Maggie Aran jumper

With alterations to reproduce Marilyn’s *Let’s Make Love* diamond Aran jumper

Would anyone be interested if I knitted more, with the vintage pattern or with the alterations? I am also interested to know if the colour of the sweater with the pink lights on it is another colour you’d be interested in?

Commission’s taken. Check @thegirllovesvintage_shop on Instagram for items for sale.

tumblr_lhe1q2otbx1qz8u2bo1_500 — Sarah Lund jumper

For the dark winter months. Not vintage, I know, but I’ve included some vintage styling of the jumpers.

I couldn’t justify buying an authentic (by Gudrun & Gudrun) Sara Lund jumper (or three), so I had a Plan B. None of the imitations on offer looked like the original, but more ‘inspired by’, so they couldn’t be accused of plagiarising, which is fair enough. If you want a job done properly…

I started with various photos and screen shots from Forbrydelsen (original Danish The Killing) and the official website selling the jumpers. Based in the Faroe islands, and knitted with natural, untreated wool from local sheep, led me to look for a similar wool that would knit up to the correct tension. My search led me to a Faroese site selling their local wool, probably from the same sheep! Others had come before me, in search of the same thing. A very useful post said the yarn weight and needle size that produced good results similar to the original. This saved lots of time knitting tension squares!

Using the photos, I laboriously counted the stitches and pattern repeats. I drew up the pattern, and bought a set of double ended needles. Although the wool looks thin compared to the chunky needles, it really worked!

Home knitted version of Sarah Lund’s jumper

Fairisle detail-The Killing series 1-my cream jumper-Snowflake pattern Forbrydelsen

Fairisle detail of my jumper

I love the wool too, because it should rarely need washing, it keeps me warm like only real wool can and the jumper is like a second skin to peel on and off, so it’s now my size and shape.