Writersblockedknits by Leslie Carroll

In praise of older knitters!

A Knitwear Sensation at 83 How Delia Barry, the octogenarian who knitted Colin Farrell’s cozy “Banshees of Inisherin” sweaters, became an internet star.

"The Old Man and the Sea"

Channeling the OG "Papa" -- this classic fisherman's sweater in a soft--not scratchy--100% merino wool was intended as my dad's 92nd birthday gift, but I completed it in time for Father's Day.

Writersblockedknits by Leslie Carroll updated their business hours.

Hold Ukraine close to your hearts

Whether or not last week your local groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, as of 2/2 there ARE ALWAYS 6 more weeks of winter, because the vernal equinox takes place during the third week of March.

Which means ... that as of 2/2 there are 6 more weeks (and counting) of cozy sweater-wearing.

Five weeks (and counting) as of today.

And five days until VALENTINE'S DAY, when you can proactively warm yourself up with a brand new handknit one-of-a-kind sweater for all eternity (which means it lasts longer than most relationships).

As the saying goes, you must love yourself before you can be fully capable of loving another...

Which just means that it's still SWEATER SEASON!!!

On January 20, 1793, Louis XVI, already stripped of his crown, and mockingly recast as "Louis Capet" (he was a Bourbon) by the architects of the French Revolution and the mob that followed them, was guillotined at the Place de la Revolution (now the Place de la Concorde).

Below the scaffold sat the women who had come to attend every ex*****on with their knitting, the ghoulish "tricoteuses" who calmly knitted as heads rolled into the basket below the scaffold.

As the author of a trilogy of novels on the life of Marie Antoinette, today's post on WritersBlockedKnits honors her husband.

The first three purchasers of one of my handknitted sweaters will receive one of these large jute totes embossed with a crown or a fleur de lys.

Am article titled "Why We're Still Touting Turtlenecks" appears this weekend in the style section ("Off Duty") of the Wall Street Journal, mentioning everyone from movie stars such as Lauren Bacall to literary icons (Joan Didion) and dramatists/bon vivants (Noel Coward) who have made the turtleneck a wardrobe staple!

Why? Turtlenecks not only keep you warm but they spotlight your face, making it the star of the show!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/turtleneck-history-elizabeth-holmes-joan-didion-11642089381

In that spirit, I invite you to visit the collection of turtlenecks on offer at Writersblockedknits: the TESSA turtleneck and the WALDEN cardigan. In fact ... there's a sweater that's very like our TESSA in the WSJ article (it's the same vibrant saffron color -- only it has no cabling, it's machine made, and it sure as heck isn't one-of-a-kind!)

So -- whether you're into mystery, glamour, warmth, or plain old practicality -- get your turtle on!

A History of the Turtleneck, From Medieval Knights to Elizabeth Holmes Tech titans wear it. So do creative types. How the turtleneck evolved from medieval underwear to a modern classic.

Royal treat for buyers coming on January 20!

I began the New Year with some straightening up and a little branding.

Finally organized my knitting patterns and the yarn for an upcoming project on one of my office bookshelves along with some of my completed literary sweaters currently on offer: [shown top to bottom: the KITTY sweater; the WALDEN cardigan; the MEGHAN pullover and the MAY tunic.]

Let's raise a glass to a warm (as in hygge-cozy, not as in global warming) New Year!

Here's a tease of ALICE, my year-end project, with wishes for a happy and healthy 2022, filled with bright and beautiful things!

It's "Ugly Sweater Party" season!

But why in Heaven (or the Other Place, if you prefer) would you spend good coin on something that makes you look fat and hideous, that you would only wear once a year or so?

Flip the script!

Why not wear a GORGEOUS sweater that flatters what your momma gave you and will give you something to talk about when the punch bowl runs low! A handmade, one-of-a-kind sweater, knit with love by someone you actually KNOW-- and that will last you for years, suitable for more occasions that the occasional holiday bash.

Consider sustainability. Consider wearability.

I was watching the PBS Newshour this evening ... the story of how and why our supply chain is so disrupted, as told through the odyssey of one sweater intended to be a holiday gift.

Of course you can skip buying into the cruelty of the sweatshop industry on the other side of the world, the freighters and shipping containers, truckers, trains, and a gazillion middlemen and women--everyone taking a cut and hiking up the cost of that sweater, which is one of a million, anyway ...

AND buy local. A unique one-of-a-kind handknit that you know no one else will own. No sweatshop labor. No freighters. No shipping delays.

Choose your gift from the sweaters I've posted. Stretch your dollar. The knit stretches too. :)

The last drop for now!!

Inspired, as you can see from the photo, by an outfit worn by a certain “American Princess” I've written about, the MEGHAN is all about contemporary elegance and clean lines.

Palest pink supersoft 100% wool.

Chest measurement (flat): 34” [it's VERY stretchy, though]

Ribbed cuffs and modified ballet neck. The meaty knit gives the style a California-casual vibe.

The MEGHAN is a pullover for a duchess who quietly exhibits her soft power and doesn’t need to dress for Trooping the Colour anymore.

This one-of-a-kind sweater is clearly very roomy on me; so I’m not the perfect model for it. Obviously, it will look different, as in the right size, on the perfect person to own it!

Please DM me if you are interested in the MEGHAN for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one.

100% Luxury! 100% cashmere! Did I say cashmere? The word itself is a whisper of wind in the branches. A caress on your skin.

Defined by the dimensional seed stitch design down the front, and on the waistband and cuffs, this yummy confection is the WALDEN CARDIGAN.

9 whimsical green leaf buttons, that go all the way up to the oversized funnel collar that scrunches down.

Can also be worn partially buttoned so the collar falls like a shawl collar over your back.

Chest measurement: 32” (measured flat). I'm not the perfect model for this sweater, so you'll have to imagine the right fit.

Please DM me if you are interested in treating yourself to the WALDEN CARDIGAN, or in gifting it to a loved one.

Reposting the first drop to clean up the photo gallery! This is the VICTORIA PENSION sweater, an Alpine inspired crewneck with ribbed waistband,neckband, and cuffs.

Chest measurement 36-38" (measured flat: it will of course stretch over larger torsos, within reason; it's a knit!)

You can see that it's roomy on me; but also that it isn't bulky and can be worn under a coat.

Deep cerulean body is 100% merino wool

Cream and pink accents are 100% worsted

I try to be the best model I can, being the only one at home to hire for the job. 🙂 [so please understand, not every sweater shown would be my own perfect fit, of course.]

Please DM me if you are interested in the VICTORIA PENSION sweater for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one!

Inspired by my a character in my WIP, this is the MAY tunic.

Definitely for women a good deal taller than I, because it's a minidress on me.

This is the most complicated sweater I have ever made. And I will unequivocally state that I will never make this pattern again. So whoever purchases this one-of-a-kind creation will certainly be the only one in their universe to own this special garment.

100% merino wool in the most magical shade of periwinkle. I worked so long on this sweater that my husband learned the color (as it's not in the basic Crayola box).

Chest measurement: a generous 36" when measured flat. This garment can stretch a lot, if need be. Or not.

It's a substantial sweater, with a good deal off heft to it and a lot of warmth. And merino wool is beautifully soft.

Proportion is everything; and me, being relatively petite, can't do this piece justice as the fit model.

For my fans who are taller, or who have been asking for a larger size, the MAY tunic can be yours.

Please DM me if you are interesting in purchasing or making a very special gift of it to a dear friend.

Named for the woman who inspired my career as a novelist, meet the OG JANE cardigan, a cable-stitched cardi knitted up in a heathery lavender tweed 100% worsted wool.

Multiple, subtle shades of lavender give this garment depth.

4 natural horn buttons in a purple-cream hue.

Slightly puffed sleeve at the shoulder, for that "Regency" era homage. Ribbed waistband, cuffs, and buttonband.

Chest measurement: 32" measured flat (but I managed to get into it, so there's obviously stretch. It is, after all, a knit).

Please DM me if you are interested in purchasing the OG JANE for yourself (or as a gift for a svelte friend -- you know -- the lucky girl who actually doesn't look like a cow in Empire gowns).

Here, Kitty, Kitty!!

The Kitty sweater is a charming retro design, knitted up in royal purple 100% worsted wool.

For the 1950's fashionista, wear it with a pencil skirt, or pedal pushers, if you've got 'em. I paired it here with a flowy paisley silk skirt for a '70s vibe, for contrast.

This would also make a kickass one-of a kind dance sweater over a leotard, tights, and legwarmers.

Hey, when it's yours, show me how you've styled it!!

Square neckline; 3/4 slightly puffed sleeves, slightly cinched waist.

Please DM me if you're interested in owning this look, or gifting it to a friend.



Chest measurement: 34-36". Be aware this is the measurement when the garment is laid flat. It will stretch to accommodate larger chest measurements (within reason).

In honor of this character's birthday, meet the unisex Louie sweater--a "boyfriend"/"grandfather" style cardigan knitted in a warm brown heathered woolly subtle rib with traditional ribbed band, shawl collar, and cuffs (I turned them back because I have short arms).

5" hefty maple-colored leather buttons. Deep pockets. Great for keys, phone, Kleenex for sad movies, hard candies.

Chest measurement: 36"

Can be worn buttoned or open.

The photos show the color as cooler than it is IRL. It's a warm mahogany brown, closer to the photo of the sweater laid flat.

The perfect sweater for walking in the woods. Or curling up before a fire. Or on the couch when the landlord turns off your heat.

Please DM me if you are interested in owning this one-of-a-kind sweater, or gifting it to a friend.

Meet the TESSA Turtleneck, an allover honeycomb cable pattern in a stunning honey/goldenrod-hued Arranmore Donegal Irish tweed (100%) wool.

Chest measurement: 32" with a wee bit of stretch. I intended this sweater to be a narrow fit.

Please DM me if you are interested in purchasing for yourself or as a gift.