20 May 2015

My Heart, My Love (Mo Chride, Mo Gradh) / a former bookseller's obsession with Outlander

I'm over the moon with Outlander, the book and the series on Starz. If you haven't read it, seen it ... I can't recommend it enough. I worked in a bookstore before kids, before marriage, eons ago now / (actually met my husband there as he was shelving history books and I children's literature) ... this was before Harry Potter was published, before Christian Gray graced the end caps of Target, before the Kindle or Nook, way before selfies or selfie sticks ... it was the year Braveheart hit the big screen. The movie that, hands down, is my husband's favorite film (up there with Rocky) but if I hear the word "Freedom!" yelled one more time, I might bolt. 

Customers flocked to our bookstore to buy travel books, the latest fashion magazines, and were always leaving their coffee cups from the e-bar among the stacks. Whenever it was my shift to be at the register, I never tired of seeing which books were purchased, many ones over and over. As an avid reader, I added many new-to-me authors to my reading list. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander was one of the titles that kept popping up but for whatever reason, I never read it at the time. They were, and are!, long books. Now 20 years later, I see what I was missing. And I think it's one of the best books I've ever read. It's not pinned to a specific genre so chances are, there's something in the story for everyone. 

Inspired by this epic story of Claire and Jamie, I have designed a knitting pattern entitled My Heart, My Love ... in Gaelic is Mo Chride, Mo Gradh. This shawlette design is a free download on Ravelry.com until June 1 after which time it will be a pattern for purchase. I have been overwhelmed with the response to the design already as it has been downloaded many thousands of times which makes me beyond giddy that so many want to knit it and share in the inspiration, as they've shared with me since its release - thank you!

A simple, classic shawlette comprised of knits, purls and a row of eyelets. Worked in Ginger Twist Studio yarn, colorway Je Suis Prest. 

The novel’s characters, Claire and Jamie, possess a love that passes through the centuries; it is their epic story that this design illustrates … 

~smooth stockinette rows symbolizing the rhythmic tune of story, ultimate trust and the softness of a kiss
~textured sections represent the Scottish Highlands, hard fast castle walls, lasting scars, and troubled lines
~garter stitch ebbs as the water carries the couple onward
~and finally, eyelets at the end, like Wedding rings, signify unending devotion

The Outlander series costumes by Terry Dresbach are stellar and breathtaking in beauty and design. This is one of my favorite outfits that Claire wears, the simplicity to detail and the color combination ... oh to have a yarn in these colors would be fabulous.
 “For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough.” 
-Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

3 comments:

  1. It's just beautiful and thank you for offering the pattern! ♥

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  2. love the colors for your yarn

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  3. I too love the books and DVD! Wish I had seen this before June 1. On a very tight budget due to putting a new roof on. That was a must as when it rained out room was leaking terrible upstairs so much it was dripping off the ceiling in the kitchen on the first floor, YIKES! I also loved the shrug type knit garment Claire wore. It was a very chunky yarn. Wish I had a pattern for it!
    I might need to rent the DVD again to see if I can figure out one.

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