SESQUICENTENNIAL PROJECT
Concept: I have long thought that the original Mary Tudor from the Tudor Roses book published in 1998, would be equally beautiful with a maple leaf instead of a rose. The garment might then signify My Canada Includes Quebec, rather than symbolizing the English/French royal marriage in 1514. ‘My Canada Includes Quebec’ makes a better political slogan than a sweater design name, hence Quebec, Je T’Aime. I hope I am not breaking any rules in uploading a pic of the book cover for comparison. (2nd photo)

Required Deviations from original design:

• change rose to a maple leaf
• make fleur-de-lys larger
• substitute other small motifs for small crown motifs
• make entire motif larger to accomplish a garment larger than 45.75 inches around and a little longer for balance
• ensure colour changes are very gradual so completed garment has areas of red and blue colour; NOT horizontal red/blue stripes (I used 17 colours versus the 9 or 10 suggested)
• cardigans should have pockets
• I want buttons and buttonholes; original design has only a top button it looks like
• collar should stand up a little, so design a collar stand or work collar double with fold line
• I do not like drop shoulders so change sleeve design (possibly knit separately and insert)

Changes to motif:
Reworked my motif to 47 stitches by 52 rows. (Eight motifs X 47sts = 376sts /7.5 tension = 50) Should work - 48” usually works for me but a cardigan requires overlap and more ease if it is to button gracefully. My cardi will be a little longer -- about 25” in total. Planning 4 vertical repeats plus border band.

Added a few intermediate colours for gradual fade in/out of colour for red/blue background. Now have 12 background and four foreground colours.

Cast on April 20th and worked first 8 inches or so, including setting in two front pockets. Decided I didn’t like the brightest of my yellows in the fleur-de-lys. Ripped out back to border band and replaced Scotch Broom with 230 Ginger. (Similar colour but not as bright.) On plus side, the fit seems good and I was able to save yarn.

May 10: Now we are cooking. Have more than a foot and pockets are nicely set in. On round 32 of first repeat I switched to 2.75 needles and worked 40 rows on smaller needle. This reduced cardi by 2” through waist. Back to 3m on round 20 of 2nd vertical repeat.
May 15: setting up under arm steeks
May 25: Finished body and seamed fronts to back.
June 3: on last vertical repeat of first sleeve. Seems Ok.
June 5: Left sleeve is done and stitches picked up to begin right sleeve.
June 12: Second sleeve finished. I am going to work the front bands before the collar. I am planning buttons and buttonholes, but I do not have buttons yet. Better get on that but I will set up left band first.
June 15 - left front band done and right band half done. Waiting to find buttons. Starting collar in meantime.
June 16: I found perfect vintage buttons at local vintage store, Gadabout
July 1 2017: Finished the front bands, including facings turned under and stitched down, and buttons sewn on. A little too warm to wear to the Montreal Canada Day parade.

Completed Dimensions, lying flat and buttoned:
Length - 26”
Hips - 48”
Waist - 46”
Bust - 48”
Sleeves, measured from centre back to bottom of cuff - 29”; measured from shoulder seam pickup to bottom of cuff 21.5”

Note re needles: Used 3m throughout except for a few inches through the waist, front button/buttonhole bands and collar which were worked on 2.75m