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April 12, 2006
Something to Show
At last I have something to show that didn't bomb. This is the front...
and the back of the Cat sweater.
It was really fun to knit. The pattern was easy to follow. The floats were not bad. It actually moved along so well I'm looking forward to making one for myself. I followed the instructions exactly so the fabric is perhaps a bit more dense than I would've chosen. However it is a Norwegian sweater made with bonafide Norwegian wool. I originally made it for Joachim, my unbelieveably gorgeous nephew who will be two on July 26th. He lives in San Francisco. That's right, he's two and he lives in San Francisco. Which means I have plenty of time to get it done. While San Francisco isn't Norway, it does get cold. Jim doesn't think it's boyish enough though. And the model is a girl. So I figure little Sophia can wear it. Since she's exactly 40 days old, I have even more time to get it done.
I've been such a horrid aunt. My Sophia projects were so ambitious they bombed BIG! But this sweater was a great boost so the opus blankie is not far behind. I really am ashamed. By this point, Joachim had several hand knit lovelies from his Auntie Jacquie.
Posted by Jacqueline at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)April 04, 2006
Mason*Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne
My favorite knitting books are actually about knitters themselves and the leading role knitting plays in their everyday lives. It is why I love knitting blogs so much. The kinds of minds knitting attracts and the central place it occupies in every day life is endlessly fascinating to me. So I was really looking forward to the gabby part of Mason*Dixon Knitting. Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne are virtual knitting pen pals. The book grew out of their knitting blog which is basically a correspondence between the two. Much to my surprise I was completely blown away by the patterns. This is dive in knitting at its best. The projects make you want to drop absolutely everything. It’s not so much the colors although the colors are great. It’s not the techniques, they are very easy. It’s actually the utilitarian nature of the projects themselves combined with great colors and easy techniques. This is a fabulous book for beginners and I think for children. The projects range from small dishcloths to medium sized rugs to giant blankets and they all spell comfort. It reminds me very much of Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride in that these projects are not meant to heirlooms. They are ordinary items meant to be used everyday. It is in the knitting that the ordinary is made beautiful, luxurious even. And who doesn’t need that on a daily basis.
One project in particular really struck me. The Courthouse Steps Denim Blanket which is actually 'a knitted tribute to one of the Gee's Bend quilts, "Bricklayer," by Loretta Pettway.'
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It looks so Japanese to me. It reminds me so much of a shop I used to visit when I lived in Japan. It's called the Blue and White shop and they specialize in indigo textiles. Again, the same theme. Utilitarian in nature, simple materials, simple methods, gorgeous result. While the proprietor did write a book, unfortunately there is no website. But really, any book on Japanese design will do. My sister-in-law gave me Japan Country Living and At Home with Japanese Design as gifts. Every photo is so full of possibility.
Do you see how one idea, one simple idea, can morph from mind to mind? A reminder no doubt to look to mediums other than knitting for inspiration. Imagine a series of ethnically inspired utilitarian projects - Japanese, Swedish, Irish anyone?
Posted by Jacqueline at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (398)April 03, 2006
Tall Grass Farm 2006 Fiber Jubilee
Jim and I went to Tall Grass Farm’s Spring Fiber Jubilee in Delavan, Wisconsin this past Saturday and had an absolute blast. Jim said I wore a smile the entire time we were there. This is the second year I’ve attended so I knew what to look for. Instead of yarn, I bought fiber and baskets to put it in.
Four 100% Finn braid thingies handpainted Moss from The Wee Croft, four ounces of a mohair wool blend from Tall Grass Farm, four point 2 grams of corriedale lamb from White Dove Farm and finally a huge bag of merino from Thomsen Merinos.
I am happy to report I came in under budget. That is if you don’t count today’s run to The Fold for two more bobbins.
We also got to see an angora goat shearing demonstration. The most vocal was the baby. It was only her second shearing and she was anxious to get back to mama.
Isn't it beautiful. It just glistened.
Jim and I are so hungry for a farm of our own we found everything fascinating. Jim loved the shearing and I of course loved the fiber aspect. I always ask the vendors a lot of questions begining with "How did you get started?" It's very inspiring how many times the response comes back, "well, we used to live in the city and then one day..." We're both so drawn to that world that I no longer think if, I think when.
Posted by Jacqueline at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)