Henrietta 2CV

When I met my husband there was another woman in his life. She was French and flamboyant, and had great style. She could also be difficult first thing in the morning. She was called Henrietta.

Ok, Henrietta was his car, a red 2CV, and I very soon came to love her too. In fact my husband taught me to drive in her. And despite her gearstick shaped like an umbrella handle, I passed my driving test in her (having failed in four other cars). Fifth time was the charm!

When we moved into our first flat and had no furniture we would remove her back seats every evening to use as our sofa, and then put them back in her in the morning if we wanted to go somewhere.

Henrietta posing in a lavender field in Provence ...

And that first summer together we heading off around Europe in Henrietta. Without any very precise plans we drove to the south of France, and then to Italy. On the journey back plucky Henrietta made it over the Alps and through Germany. Once or twice we had to push start her, but she never completely let us down.

... and me posing in a lavender field in Provence

But then one day there were too many cold, damp mornings when we couldn't get her to start. And then with plans for a baby on the way we were also worried that she wasn't particularly fast or safe on long journeys. Perhaps we were also getting a bit older, and a bit softer. So with deep regret we let Henrietta go, and moved on to a much more sensible car - Neville (but that is another story.)

I resolved this year to have more fun with my knitting, but also to make things that are much more personal to me. So despite the idea seeming ridiculous here is Henrietta - 2CV. 

Although I am not really expecting that many people will want to knit a 2CV I have written up the instructions as a pattern. There is a colourwork chart and shaping to follow, panels to sew together, and little wheels and headlamps to sew on. You have been warned, this is not an easy knit. But then again you will have made a car out of wool. 

I have really tried to be as accurate as I can to the original Henrietta. The most obvious thing I have not included are wing mirrors, as I thought these would require wire, and then not make it safe as a toy. Although I think most 2CV fans are adults, so would probably think this is more of an ornament than toy. 

The red one is going to be a part of hubby's birthday present, I have also knitted a little green friend, so if you are not a knitter that car is for sale in my Etsy shop. I am now trying to find the just right shade of burgundy to knit the black/burgundy model, so some more cars will appear in my shop soon. Though do contact me if you have a particular colour 2CV that brings back memories for you, and I will see what I can do.