That is the number of thistles I have knit as I’m working on the Margaret Tudor sweater. I have all the thistle panels complete.

Sleeve One:

Sleeve Two:

Front:

Back:

As you see on the back pieces, I have completed one of the lace panels. I’m working on the second of six lace panels now:

And Loki is standing by in case I need him!

I mention how labor-intensive this project is?

I’ve finished all the “major” pieces of the body, and started on a sleeve piece.

Each sleeve consists of three pieces: two sides, and a center panel with an openwork pattern. This is the first of four sleeve side pieces. Once the side pieces are done, all that remains are four openwork panels, one each for the sleeves and for the front and back. Plus all the sewing, neckband, cuffs, and bottom band.

Yeah, that’s all.

You can see that Loki is exhausted at the mere thought of it all.

There were a couple of questions in the comments last week about the number of pieces that make up the Margaret Tudor sweater.

I am knitting the design from the original book, not the 2013 re-issue. The re-issue has a slightly re-designed Margaret Tudor that has sleeves that are knit in one piece.

The original design has five pieces that make up the back, five that make up the front, and three for each sleeve. After you sew the pieces together, you pick up and knit cuffs, bottom band, and neckband.

Labor-intensive? Heck yeah? Fun to knit? Heck yeah?

It is an interesting construction and not one I’ve come across before. It is definitely unique and will make a stunning sweater.

Since last week, I finished a side front piece:

I am working on the second side back piece:

So of the 16 pieces needed (before knitting the cuffs and bands) I now have four and a half completed. So I definitely have a lot of knitting ahead of me!

And as you can see, Loki is being as helpful as usual!

Here’s the first of four, count ‘erm four, side pieces that need to be knit for the body of Mary Tudor.

I’m, now working on the second on the four side pieces.

After that, there are four lace panels to knit for the body, then the sleeve pieces — three for each sleeve. Then of course the neck band and bottom bands.

Yeah, that’s all. 😉

Thank you for all your lovely comments on m y Beadwork Cardi. It has not yet been cool enough for me to be able to wear it, but hopefully soon.

I had so much fun knitting this cardi that I decided to knit another project using guensey yarn. This time I am using Frangipani 5-Ply Guernsey Wool, in the olive colorway. And I am making Alice Starmore’s Margaret Tudor pullover. This sweater has an interesting construction — the front and back are kn it in several panels that are then sewn together. Definitely not a project for seam-haters!

Here are the center front and back panels.

Here is a side panel.

This sweater has a lot of decorative buttons sewn on. I found some pewter buttons in the shape of, appropriately, a Tudor Rose.

This is another extremely labor-intensive knit but is it ever fun! I really love the thistles.

Loki, on the other hand, doesn’t “get” it.