FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Ebenezer Scrooge
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Five years ago my husband handed me a pattern for a nightcap and asked me to make it. I was fairly new to knitting at the time but gave it my best effort. Upon completion of the cap he said he would really like a Scrooge nightshirt to go with it, as A Christmas Carol is one of his favorite works of literature. I had been wanting to learn how to sew anyway. I purchased the material and a pattern and it sat for four years because I was intimidated by all of it. Periodically my husband would ask if I had started his nightshirt. When I heard about this contest in December I realized this was the perfect opportunity to move past my intimidation and complete the Ebenezer Scrooge nightshirt to go with the Scrooge nightcap. We live part time in a very cold, drafty cabin and a linen nightshirt just didn't seem warm enough. I decided Scrooge also needed a shawl or wrap to keep warm near his meager fire. This began the search for a shawl pattern from the 1840s, a fun rabbit hole to be sure!
Outline the construction…
The nightshirt was constructed with linen cloth and silk thread using the Missouri River Boatman's Shirt from Folkwear Patterns. I modified the pattern's length to make an ankle length nightshirt. As I could thread my machine and sew a straight line when I started and I had never done any hand sewing, I relied heavily on YouTube videos to learn sewing techniques. In completing this project I learned how to read a pattern, gather seams using a basting stitch, cover buttons to make a matching button, hand sew a button hole using the button hole stitch, and hand fell seams. I am aware the night shirt is a rather simple pattern but I am proud of what I have learned and accomplished.
The nightcap was knit using 100% cotton crochet thread on US 0 needles. I used an 1840 Nightcap pattern. This was my first attempt at lace knitting and it took lots of frogging, starting over, and frustration to complete the lace cuff of the hat. I have since become addicted to lace knitting.
The wrap was knit using 100% wool worsted weight yarn on US 9 needles. I used a Scotch Pattern lace repeat from My Knitting Book by Miss Lambert (1843) to create a rectangular wrap. It was a fun challenge to translate the pattern into modern terms. The dimensions of the wrap were not quite what I envisioned but it can almost be used as a blanket, which is better than I planned.
I’m very impressed by the wrap. The nightgown looks very good and neatly sewn. Well done!
I absolutely love this!!! A Christmas Carol is my favorite Christmas movie and this is perfect on point!
This is gorgeous- I guessed the character before even reading your text! amazingly well done
Simply marvellous! A fantastic piece, especially for a beginner! To think you cranked out a knitted wrap as well?! Well done indeed!!!
I literally gasped and laughed like a little kid when I saw this. You killed it! I LOVE the Muppets Christmas Carol, and have always adored Ebenezer’s nightgown. Beautiful!
Haylely, I could not have said it better.
This looks excellent. Very Ebenezer, indeed.
I am so in love with this! Your workmanship is chef’s kiss wonderful!
The shirt looks so comfy. Love it!
All ready for the spirits to arrive! Beautiful work indeed.
You did a beautiful job! Not only did you manage a beautiful outfit, but you knocked the demon Procrastination straight out of the park! (so many of us swing and miss.) I love the buttons, and the shawl is gorgeous.
That wrap! Wow! I love the covered buttons, very nice. These look so comfy I want to wear them now…please ship to me via DEDEX so that I may enjoy them! Thank you!
That wrap! Wow! I love the covered buttons, very nice. These look so comfy I want to wear them now…please ship to me via FEDEX so that I may enjoy them! Thank you!
I could immediately recognise which character this was for without even reading the title! It’s a perfect nightshirt for Scrooge, and so beautifully finished! Well done!