This is probably the most significant item I have ever knitted, and the one I am most proud of. Not for its complexity but for its historical significance and the detective work needed to replicate this sweater. The connection and timing with Andy’s Everest summit plays a significant role.

This story, if you can read it in one of the pictures linked to this project, was published in the quarterly Adventure Journal #22. I pitched the story to the editor and he told the story.

Andy was our leader when we did a 3 week crossing of Yellowstone Caldera in Feb 2016. He was part of the 1999 expedition to find George Mallory’s body on Everest. There was always been a conversation that perhaps Mallory (and Irvine) summited before Sir Edmund Hillary.

The BBC Documentary is here. This is the 1/5 link…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7KyVKop3sc
Andy is interviewed in several parts of the 5 part documentary.

As noted in the AJ article, I thought it would be novel to try and knit the sweater shown in the body remains for Andy. But more so because the research behind recreating it sounded like a wonderful challenge. Joyce Meader was the first to try and knit the sweater as part of the Mallory Clothing Project by Mike Parsons and Mary Rose.

Joyce was of great help while we figured out gauge and a rough pattern that might have been used. Shetland Yarn (they can trace where Mallory bought his expedition gear by a clothing label) was most certainly used and Moorit looked to be the closest match.

The project sat dormant for a few years. In March 2021, AJ wrote an piece on Finding Mallory’s body. As I was reading it, I got a group text from Andy that he was on Everest. I really felt it was a sign to pick up the project and finish it.

And AJ graciously told this story.

The leather tag was my addition and are the coordinates of Everest.