Simple Pullover Pattern

A few things have happened in the past couple of weeks that have kept me from posting.
1. I had to go into work to clear out my classroom since my school is about to be under construction.
2. I have been knitting like a maniac, making 4 sweaters in about 10 days
3. I watched all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer*
4. I was finishing up a course, so I had several assignments to complete

*Angel is the worst, right?

I don't think I'll continue regularly with the letters. They were a good distraction for the height of quarantine, but now that it's calmed down a bit (opening too soon, IMO) and things are starting to feel normal, I plan to stop, for now at least.

While watching Buffy, I got really into the punk vamp fashion. Spike, am I right? Angel was at his best when he was a baddie. And what's with all the villains wearing leather? So, since I got all into that, I made 3 cropped sweaters in black and grey. It is such a simple pattern, I plan to make a bunch in every color.

The pattern below is for a size small, petite semi-crop top. Make it longer or shorter depending on how you want it to fit. The pattern is top down, so you knit the neckline first. I like the pattern, because it has a no fuss neckline, no picking up stitches, and both panels are exactly the same, so it doesn't matter which way you wear it.

Materials:
2-3 skeins of medium weight yarn in color of choice (or more depending on how long you make it)
Size 7 knitting needles
Stitch markers
Yarn needle

CO 73 stitches
Row 1: K22  and place marker, P1K1 29 (single rib stitch),  K1 and place marker, knit to end
Row 2: K3, P19 (to stitch marker), K1P1 to the next marker, P19, K3
Repeat rows 1 and 2 2x (4 rows total).
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Knit 3, purl 67, knit 3
Repeat rows 5 and 6 until piece measures 17.5 inches (or longer if you want!)
Knit 4 rows
Bind off
Make another panel exactly the same as the first.

Sew both panels together up the sides leaving at least 7 inches for arm holes. Adjust arm hole size to fit you,
Sew shoulders stopping at ribbing.

And that's it. You have a simple sleeveless pullover. I experimented with the length, making the black one a little shorter than the other two.

 

For a striped pattern, work the first 4 rows in first color, then in second color work 2 rows, repeating 2 rows of each color until desired length.

Two Requests for Loans

I'm really into what I'm knitting today, so no commentary.

To a Friend, requesting a Loan

5 Sydney Villas, Windsor.              

December 18th.

            My Dear Thompson,

                     I have a great favour to ask you, which I hope you will be able to accord me. I am urgently in need of £30, and wondered whether you could oblige me with that sum for acouple of months, when I would punctually repay you. I naturally do not like to bother you in this way, and only extreme urgency induces me to do so; although I feel that if it is in your power to help me in this I may count upon your goodwill.
                                                        Ever yours,
                                                                 H. Peters.

H. knew he should ask for a loan around Christmas, eh?

From a Lady to a Relative, asking for a Loan

The Dower House, Uxbridge.         

December 3rd.

               My Dear Mary,

                      I am in great anxiety at the present moment, being unexpectedly called upon to pay a heavy bill of costs to my solicitors, which they claim to my great astonishment. It amounts to £68, and they ask for this amount within just ten days. I am quite unable to meet this heavy sum just now, and I write to ask if you would be so very kind as to lend me £25 towards it.

              You may depend upon my repaying you as soon as I receive my dividends, although they are, as you know, painfully inadequate to my expenses. I had no idea that the bill would amount to so much, and I really cannot see what has been done to justify so large a claim. But it has to be met, I suppose; it is of little use protesting. I shall be sincerely grateful for your assistance.

                                   Your affectionate cousin,

                                                    Lucy Rice.

From a Lady to an Artist respecting her Daughter's Portrait

I didn't post yesterday because I was having a time of it. Two days ago, I decided to take up French again. No problem, I studied French for 14 years at school. I also decided that I wanted to take some of my free time and study, really study. I wrote out a list of things I was interested in, and made up a schedule. All good. Well, I have a lot to do today (multiple meetings with timelines that are very tight or overlapping). As a result, instead of sticking to any sort of schedule yesterday (made even more difficult by the rain), I took a nap, ate early and often, and sat without doing anything for extended periods. In the end, I emailed one of the people I was having a meeting with, gave a little fib as to why I'd have to leave early (it wasn't exactly a lie, I just wanted to have a little more time in between, so I moved my second meeting up a few minutes), and had a positive response. This took a huge weight off my shoulders, but by then it was night and I didn't realize the day was over.

So, here we are, with only one letter to share. I wish I could share more, but alas, this letter has no companion. Artists write what they will, so there is no prescribed response from one.

From a Lady to an Artist respecting her Daughter's Portrait

18 Beaumont Square, S. W.       

Tuesday, March 7th. 

          

              Mrs. Allison is very desirous of having a portrait of her daughter painted by Mr. Harvey. Will he be good enough to make an appointment with her at his studio when the price of the portrait, the number of sittings to be given, and other details to be discussed?

A nice note. I imagine Mrs. Allison will accompany her daughter, since I to think it would be decorous or a young lady to be alone with an artist in his studio.

A letter to and response from a Teacher of Music

It's another pleasant day here, in spite of it all.

Yesterday there were protests in Richmond, our capital, about the closures. The governor extended closures of non-essential businesses by two weeks. People got angry. I can't imagine why. Honestly, the fewer people gather, the less likely the corona virus is to spread. I know, people want to go back to normal, but it's not reasonable at this point. It wouldn't be reasonable next week, the initial date of reopenings. I'm all for protesting injustice, I have a few times, but I find it a bit wild to protest something that is keeping people safe.

Rant over. To distract myself from the folly of my peers, I made curry and eclairs for dessert. I'm hoping to eat away the frustration.

I took music lessons for years growing up. I don't think this is how my family communicated with the instructors, not they to my parents.

From a Lady to a Teacher of Music

3 Cavendish Place, W.     

July 21st.

             Mrs. Cole would be obliged if Mr. Adrian Mitchell would let her know his terms for a course of twelve lessons at her own residence; perhaps Mr. Mitchell would make it convenient to call upon her one morning during this week before 12 o'clock, when he would be able to judge of the progress her daughter has already made.

From a Music Teacher to a Lady

10 Tavistock Street, S. W.    

July 22nd.

               Mr. Adrian Mitchell presents his compliments to Mrs. Cole and begs to say that his terms are one guinea per lesson; he makes no reduction for a course of lessons. He will have the honour of calling on Mrs. Cole on Wednesday morning at 11:30.

Three Letters to Medical Men

It's a glorious sunny day here. It's a little cool, but perfect for walking around and not getting to hotted. I went for one this morning, and will go out again later.

I know what you are here for, the letters. This post will have three letters to "medical men" as they are called. I wonder why not "doctors". It was the 1920's, when this book was published, and 100 years ago the world was different. Okay, not really, they would experience the a huge depression (not very unlike our current one) and had just experienced a pandemic (again with the similarities!). Anyway, here are the letters.

From a Lady to a Medical Man, requesting his immediate attendance

Vernon Villa, Richmond.         

March 29th.  

                  Dear Dr. Bell,

                          My daughter is suffering from a severe sore throat, and I shall be glad if you will call and see her this morning, as I feel very anxious about her. I am afraid I ought to have sent for you yesterday.

                                              Very truly yours,

                                                           Mary Boyce.

It's a good thing sore throat isn't a common symptom for COVID-19, Mary.

From a Lady to a Medical Man, requesting him to call

Clarence Villa, Maida Vale.         

March 29th.   

                  Mrs. Graham presents her compliments to Dr. Brooke and will feel greatly obliged if he will come and see her little boy, who seems very feverish and unwell, and she is afraid the illness may prove a serious one.

That's it. That's the letter. Honestly, it feels a little much to include both letters. Aren't they both saying the same thing? But, unfortunately for Mrs. Graham, a fever is a symptom of COVID-19.

From a Lady to a Medical Man, asking for his account

Clarence Villa, Maida Vale.          

May 1st.  

                    Mrs. Graham presents her compliments to Dr. Brooke and wishes him to know how much she is indebted to him for his attendance on her little boy, as she is going into the country immediately for some months.

I'll be honest about this one. I would not have known she was requesting a bill, if it had not said that was what she was doing. I guess talking about money was a no-no back then. Still, I think the letter could benefit from a little more specificity.

From a Lady to her Solicitor on several counts

It's cool and rainy. A perfect day to knit and read. Not at the same time of course. I am knitting while watching Poirot with David Suchet. I really don't think anyone else portrayed him as well. He did it for 25 years, and honestly, there is no need for anyone else to do it. I'm talking to you, Kenneth Branaugh.


Speaking of Kenneth Branaugh, I'm probably going to start watching the Harry Potter movies again soon. I just know that if I do, I'm going to want to knit everything from the movies, and I already have a list of things that need doing.

There are three letters in succession from a Lady to her Solicitor in the book. Each one has a different request, and they are really quite short.

From a Lady to a Solicitor, asking Advice

Fern Lodge, Christchurch, Hants.        

April 3rd.

            W. Ross, Esq.

                    Dear Sir,

                          I am in a little difficulty respecting a late servant of mine. I dismissed her for misconduct without giving her a months warning, and she has now summoned me for a month's wages. What would you advise me to do in the matter? Perhaps you will kindly drop me a line.

        With compliments,

                                                             Yours truly,

                                                                        Frances Bates.

Frances, you ought to pay your servant. Did she murder a member of your household? Because if not, she probably did nothing really wrong.

From a Lady to a Solicitor, respecting a Claim

3 Cumberland Gardens, W.          

July 6th.   

            S. Tanner, Esq.

                   Dear Sir,

                           I enclose a letter received this morning from Messrs. Barnes, Mr. White's solicitors asking me for compensation for damage done to his car by it's coming into collision with mine. I will send my chauffeur to you to-morrow morning that he may explain the nature of the accident and perhaps you will see that no blame attaches to him. Will you have the goodness after you ahve seen him to write to Messrs. Barnes?

                                                                   Yours very truly,

                                                                                   Margaret Turner.

If you've ever seen the classic Upstairs Downstairs, you might remember the episode where the young woman character kills a cyclist because he came around the corner unseen. She got off, but she was drunk when it happened. I always hated that episode. This letter reminds me of that.

From a lady to a Solicitor, requiring his attendance upon a Relative

 8 South Crescent, Regent's Park.          

February 14th.      

             H. Barker Esq.

                    Dear Sir,

                           I am desired by my father to ask you if you will kindly come and see him this afternoon on urgent private business; he seems very anxious to see you, anbd asked me to lose no time in sending for you.

                                                          Faithfully yours,

                                                                          Marion Burgess.

I can think of no good commentary for this one.

Request and reply for a Reference

Getting back into the slight routine of things is nice. Having a reason to get up at a reasonable hour (not too late or early), and having little things to do during the day other than binge watch The Great British Baking Show is a pleasant change.

I started a new knitting project today: a Halloween sweater! I know it's early, but I took requests from family members and this was one. I drafted out the design on some software, searched through my stash to make sure the colors were available, and started work. So far, I've got a cat tail and the bottom of a cauldron.

These letters are almost are a request and a reply, and as such, they are here together. I wish asking for references nowadays was this easy.

To a Gentleman, asking him to act as a Reference

16 Blandford Gardens, W.                  

July 14th.         

            Dear Mr. Roberts,

                   I have taken a furnished house at Richmond for a year and am required to give two references. As you have known me for many years, I thought perhaps you would kindly allow me to refer the agent to you. I referred him to my brother-in-law in the first instance.

              I hope Mrs. Roberts is pretty well. Please remember me to her and believe me,

                                                   Very truly yours,

                                                                   M. E. Kelly.

From a Gentleman giving a Reference

Ludlow House, Highgate.               

March 1st.    

            Messrs. Wilson & Brown.

                      Dear Sirs,

                              In repl to your letter I beg to say I have known Mrs. Kelly for many years, and consider her to be a most responsible person and a highly desirable tenant.

                                                        Faithfully yours,

                                                              Donald Roberts.

Did you notice the dates? The request was made July 14th, and the reference was given March 1st.

Now I know that these are just example letters, but shouldn't it be the other way around? Or at the very least, shouldn't the dates be a little closer?