More Colorful Inside than Out

Photos by Muffy Aldrich

 

Heading Out - Still Winter

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Made in England, Made in Scotland, Made in England 
 

Shown:

• Tusting Kimbolton Bag <https://www.tusting.co.uk/products/kimbolton?variant=42209157677167>

• Cordings Claret Wool Challis Muffler Scarf <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/claret-wool-challis-muffler-scarf.html>

• Bosie Blue Mogganer Womens Siren Merino Polo Neck Sweater - Lugano Dark Teal <https://bosie.co/products/blue-mogganer-womens-siren-merino-polo-neck-sweater-flannel-grey-copy>

Delivery from Guernsey!

Photo: Muffy Aldrich

Brightening up the winter blues with some nautical blues.  (And with a very swift delivery time.)

The authentic guernsey, Made in Guernsey, by Le Tricoteur:

• Cream & Navy Striped Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/striped-guernsey-jumpers/products/striped-cream-navy-traditional-fishermans-guernsey-jumper-sweater>

• Port & Starboard Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/le-tricoteur-archive-collection/products/port-starboard-traditional-guernsey-jumper>

A Reader Experience: Hand-Knit Irish Aran Sweaters from Aran Sweater Market

Aran Sweater Market - Hand Knit Irish Fisherman's Sweaters

• Aran Clan Sweaters <https://www.aran.com/clan-aran-sweaters>

A reader experience:

I've gleaned great information from your blog over the years re: wool sweaters. You're the reason I sport a few from Arthur Beale and Harley of Scotland. 

Our 28 year-old son expressed interest last fall in wearing an Irish wool sweater - cream-colored, knit pattern. A familiar style. I had worn the same one for 40+ years after my parents, frequent international travelers for work, visited Ireland when I was a high school senior. I don't think he was angling for my sweater, as he's four inches taller than I am, but you never know. Our son's girlfriend, who hails from California, got him a sweater in the style, from LL Bean, made of cotton. He wears it, but it's not what he had in mind. 

I decided to hand off my sweater to him. Because these knit patterns have generous stretch, and I wear sleeves on the long side, it fits him well. I then started hunting for a replacement, ideally hand-knit like the original. Unsurprisingly, I found that the vast majority of Irish wool sweaters sold online today are machine-assembled, with panels and arms stitched together with thread. That is not what I had in mind, nor do I plan to visit Ireland any time soon. 

However, within one site that sells the machine-assembled sweaters, Aran Sweater Market, I found an option to purchase fully hand-knit Irish merino wool sweaters with specific clan patterns. They are a fair bit more expensive than the machine-assembled versions. I ordered one - a few photos attached. 

My older sweater was made from somewhat coarse and mildly scratchy wool; the new one is softer merino. As with sweaters from UK-based sources like Harley and Arthur Beale, it's best to size up. Like Arthur Beale sweaters, the wool used for the handmade sweaters is minimally processed, so the lanolin and the sheep smell remains. The wool and the knit feel substantial. I checked, and the seams that bind the panels and sleeves to the sweater are all hand-knit.

To the extent this may be of interest to you or your readers, I thought it would be helpful to share. 

 

Photos by Reader.

A reader question: Headgear for winter? Spring? Summer? Autumn?

A reader question:

Hi Muffy,

May I ask the readership a question please. I don't think this has been asked before but if it has my apologies and please ignore it.

Relating to headgear. Other than a ball cap, what other items of headgear do the readers prefer (if any). From a personal point of view in the cooler months, being British, I wear a tweed cap, mostly a flat cap but also baker boy and news boy caps. I also wear a felt trilby subject to weather (and always at the races).

In the warmer months I do wear a ball cap but I love my straw trilby with a hatband in my old school colours and also a traditional straw foldable panama.

New From Lotuff - An Impossibly Good Looking Canvas/Leather Tote

Photo: Muffy Aldrich

New from Lotuff, an impossibly good looking tote.  Made from a sturdy yet refined canvas and their signature vegetable-tanned leather, this tote has a marvelously old school vibe.  With its three outside pockets and continuous rolled leather handles, it may be the ultimate tote, for both men and women.  Made in New England.

• Canvas Working Tote <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/canvas-working-tote>

Shown With:

• Cordings of Piccadilly Paddock Jacket <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/menswear/field-clothing/field-coats>

• Cordings of Piccadilly Men's Wool/Cashmere Cable Knit <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/loden-cashmere-cable-crew-neck.html>

• Cordings of Piccadilly Ladies' Liberty Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/ladieswear/ladies-shirts>

 

End of January Across New England

Photos: Muffy Aldrich

 

Two Different Flavors of Storm Prep

Photos: Muffy Aldrich

With the luxury of being able to stay home during this winter storm double header, the focus is on staying warm and staying fed.  

Grandmother's Spode and my great aunts sterling, both from England.  And a last minute load of kiln dried fire wood, already stacked and standing ready in the wood shed.

Stay safe everyone!

 

A Reader Question: Is Alden worth the higher price over Rancourt?

 A reader question:

Good Morning — I have a question for the readership. I have several pair of Rancourt shoes that I like. I have never worn a pair of Alden shoes or boots. Are Alden worth the higher price over Rancourt? I am specifically looking at a blucher or the Alden Jumper boot compared to Rancourt alternatives. 

Kind regards, 

• Rancourt & Company <https://www.rancourtandcompany.com/>
• Alden Shoe Company  <https://www.aldenshoe.com/>