My incredibly talented artist friend Alan Bull has a sweater that belonged to his dad, and he's been promising me a show and tell for over a month. Today our orbits aligned and over he came with the sweater.
Given the motif, many people (raise your broom if you're Canadian) would recognize this immediately as a curling club sweater. BCC for Belfast Curling Club is knit into the left shoulder, which is where Alan's dad used to play when he was a business guy in Maine in the 1950's. Alan's sister has been in possession of the sweater since college, and recently, Alan has been getting his turn.
It's beautifully made, in traditional pieced construction, hand seamed everywhere, even the shoulders. The pockets have a nice top edge detail in particular:
This good old wool has held up beautifully for almost 60 years. There's hardly a sign of wear but for that little red fray and a place on the back hem where the edge is just now beginning to give way. The Talon Brass separating zipper is a beauty, tarnished poetically and still working like new. And the sweater has a wonderful back:
I think Alan should wear it all the time, since it just suits the whole lost America quality thing he has going on with his work. You should click over to his site to admire. Alan's truck paintings especially have a wistful quality, with just the right amount of melancholy. There's a lot of good stuff in all of his galleries, so wander around a little. I mean c'mon. The guy has such a great sweater!
Added later: I found it on Ravelry, a vintage Mary Maxim pattern called Bonspiel Days.
I love his trucks! And of course I want to know who knit the sweater, his mom?
Posted by: Janet | February 23, 2013 at 06:18 PM
I like the sweater but I love the paintings. This guy is one amazing, talented artist, so varied in subject matter. Wow!
Posted by: Barbara | February 23, 2013 at 08:34 PM
Oh my, I love this sweater! I may have to make one for my husband so he can wear it during the next winter olympics. The curling is his very favorite thing!
Posted by: jess | February 23, 2013 at 11:12 PM
I love everything about this sweater!
Posted by: Kate | February 24, 2013 at 03:33 AM
What a great sweater!
Posted by: Manise | February 24, 2013 at 08:05 AM
Gah! You're so right, he needs to wear this sweater (whenever he's not near the paint) its stunning. Showed Mr and he concurs...
Posted by: Amy | February 24, 2013 at 09:50 AM
(raising broom high in the air...) As a Canadian, and a curler, and a former curling instructor, I find it perfectly fitting that I am reading this post while watching the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian Women's Curling Championship! The sweater reminds me of my Dad's - his was white and red, and had the patch from the Glenmore Curling Club in Montreal. I wish I could lay my hands on it again...
Posted by: Sandra | February 24, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Huh. I neeeed a pattern for that sweater, and I'm not even Canadian. Also, thank you for the link to Ala's site; his paintings are killer. I love "July," the construction equip in the high grass
You'll make us a pattern, yes?
Posted by: PinkSkatingGirl | February 24, 2013 at 07:14 PM
The sweater and paintings are magnificent!! I would do some judicious, careful stitch repair and that sweater will go on to another generation or more. Lovely work.
Posted by: Anne | February 25, 2013 at 08:45 AM
The sweater is a Mary Maxim pattern from 1955, so the pattern is out there! Try google, which will certainly lead you at some point to this article: http://curlinghistory.blogspot.com/2012/05/hand-knitted-curling-sweaters.html
Posted by: juliafc | February 25, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Love this sweater! We drive past the Belfast curling club on our way to our house in Maine!
Posted by: Geri | February 27, 2013 at 09:38 AM
I took your advice and browsed Ravelry and eBay, and am now awaiting some c1956 Mary Maxim patterns to arrive from Canada. . Alas, not #427, but close enough to plan my yarn and sizing. I can approximate the stones, or maybe create a "Knitter's Bonspiel" motif. What fun!
Posted by: PinkSkatingGirl | March 04, 2013 at 08:32 PM
Hey, I think I've seen the Belfast Curling Club! What a great sweater! A classic.
Posted by: Kathode Ray Tube | March 20, 2013 at 04:12 PM