Riot of colours

Knittings from Wrabness consist mostly of Kaffe Fassett's patern tests for Clara's new winter jumper. I have made one yesterday and it is drowning in a bowl of water at present. I will be blocking it later to work out the numbers for the cast on.

And here it is:

Now, this is a new interest for me, who stuck to the conviction that simple modern looks have more appeal, and so I concentrated more on technical excellence, perfect balance, refined simplicity with an occasional twist here and there and disregarded completely all that fussy colour work. But I must say that having kids has altered this opinion and I now enjoy just letting the inspiration come to me without any prejudice, and am not restricting myself to any particular look or feel.

Louis and Clara respond fantastically to colours and are so full of anticipation waiting for their sweaters to come off the needles! I love it!

My idea of a holiday.

I am learning so much with these projects. When I was knitting the test yesterday I discovered about half a dozen tricks, which I think will improve the final result hugely, i.e. : when working on round needles set up your work so that the wrong side of it is outside and you can control all the threads easily (if there is anything like easy control with Fassett's multi-coloured patterns) and mix tying and weaving techniques to even out the gauge and make sure that there are no nasty holes between different colour sections – what I find works well is to tie the yarn between long sections of different colours and weave the sections where colour change is very frequent, like 1 blue, 1 red, 1 blue, 1 red. It is amazing how results can vary depending on how the colours are put together – colour work makes for a very good entertainment.

The funny thing is that I have actually decided against this particular pattern, so it will be a surprise when I have something to show for this project :)

PS: When Iget weary of looking at tiny stitches I look out of the window and see ships and yachts that sail by.

Styling issues

It's half-term and time for yet another family trip this year (we are really getting better at this seeing that last year we hardly travelled anywhere – except to visit a charming pile of rocks in Wales, otherwise known as “the cottage”). I suppose we are getting used to the school rhythm and it does help that I am at home and have way more time to organise all this.
I spent all weekend packing and ticking items off my endless list of things to do and whilst I was at it I discovered that Oliver is shockingly short of warm clothes. So out of the storage came a little number, which I knitted for Clara when she was about 2. This little sweater was made of recycled cashmere bought at Susan Darling's eBay store and then adorned with an appliquéd duck designed and executed by my very self. I washed it using my “busy mum” technique, which basically works as follows:

• submerge garment in warm soapy water with an intention of coming back to it 15 minutes later


• forget to return to the bathroom 15 minutes later


• remember that you didn't finish washing the sweater whilst doing something out of the house


• promise yourself that you will do it as soon as you come home


• on return get distracted by a phone call


• go to take a bath in the evening


• see the sweater, which is still in the bucket in the bath tub


• wash it


• take it out


• see with horror... (this doesn't always happen, but it does happen sometimes, when heavens decide you are due for a reminder lesson) that the colour has leaked!

It did leak from a cute pink head scarf onto golden locks of a stylish hair-do I felt inspired to give this snazzy duck.

So one of the items on my list to do during this holiday is “sort out the duck”. I did it today, and it proved more tricky than expected. I came up with a shortish version with big fringe, which I thought was OK. Then I showed it to Nick and he said (with a big grin on his face) something along these lines “Hmmm, this reminds me of those orthodox Jewish wigs that you see a lot of in Stamford Hill.” Now, as you can imagine, this stopped me in my tracks and I could never look again at the poor duck without thinking about wigs. Half an hour later I was determinedly undoing my work thinking furiously that the wigs and elegance do not mix. Second attempt has an altogether different air. It's more reminiscent of French country girl look with a cute shortish fringe and a neat plait tied with a ribbon. Decided to leave it at that.

This whole styling issue has yet another dimension, as Oliver might be seen wearing this sweater if the weather gets chilly. Believe me, I'd rather he wore Clara's special sweater than be seen in one of the acrylic thingies from a high street shop.

She likes it!

Last year I decided to knit my daughter's Christmas present. I was determined to get it finished in good time although I started rather late and kept on being very distracted by Oliver, who at the time was a weenie baby of mere two months, as well as having to cope with my postnatal brain absolutely unable to think logically. I was spending all my waking hours (not consumed by activities that preoccupy young mothers) knitting. I remember frantically finishing off a day before Christmas Eve, wrapping it up in gorgeous red tissue and so looking forward to seeing this cosy wooly sweater on Clara.

You can imagine my dissapointment when young Lady opened her present and firmly refused to try it on. She just did not like it! Quite a few weeks went by before she reconsidered. Once she put the sweater on, it started growing on her that it is actually really warm and soft and noticed that people comment on how cute she looks in it. She eventually got to like it very much. But the sting of rejection was bitter. Of course I did my best not to take it too seriously, but still I would have preffered her to like it a lot from the start.

So you will understand how wonderful it felt when Clara just absolutely loved the cursed cardi from the very first second I presented it to her. It made all difficulties in the process of making it worthwile. It feels great to see her enjoy it so much, and look so damn cute in it!

Knittings from Poland

I am on kind of a holiday. In some ways it is a holiday and in others it is not. Clara and Oliver are with me so I am not off parenting duty (having said that I am surrounded by willing child minders), but I am definitely off the hook as far as all house chores go. Hence I have a bit more time to knit. I am experimenting with new stitches & patterns and testing them for my next project, wrap around cardi. The yarn is just gorgeous: Rowan chunky tweed in yummy raspberryish hue with heavy notes of berriest red wine and speckles of blueberry blue. Simply trans inducing!

Whilst working on a generous gauge test I managed to display some overtly pro-knitting behaviours knitting on a bus, on a train (and at the station where I was waiting for the train, where I was chatted up by an elderly man clearly surprised by the sight of knitting needles, who then went on to reminisce how his mother used to knit jumpers for him when he was a little boy, inquire as to the nature of my project and generally being charming) and even managed to knit whilst I was waiting for the anaesthetic to kick in at the dentist's.

Here are the patterns I am pondering for the cardi, which - by the way - seams to be very much in alignement with this season's fashion for chunky knitwear, very wearable over sleek silk dresses or over a fine top with jeans.



PS: The colour in the photos is not as deep as in reality. I will have another go at capturing it with a different camera and in different light.

La Knitterie Parisienne

If my concience would let me I would plan my holiday around visiting that place. It looks so wicked (as Louis would put it) and so tempting!

La knitterie Parisienne was set up by a Parisienne, Edith Eig. It is situated in the heart of Studio City, the suburb in LA where most of the major film studios are. Apparently good place for upmarket English yarns (let's face it - no need to go fetch wood from the desert when one lives in the woods) as well as for star spotting. To the point that when BBC came to film a piece on star spotting in LA they went just to three places: Rodeo Drive, Spago restaurant and La Knitterie Parisienne. I love Edith's idea of 'bees knees parties' where she provides yarn, needles and instructions for party guests who learn to knit. Fab idea.

Now, time for the novelty needles: Ta da!

THE KNIT LITE KNITTING NEEDLE.

The man behind these needles is nobody else but Ms Eig's significant other, who happened to be an engineer.

The New York Times was raving about those nifty sticks. And so I ordered some, mainly to shock my own husband (I think my enthusiasm for silly things like that rather amuses him :) And also because I really needed to treat myself having survived my daughter's playdate at our house in true style (do not under estimate what three 4 year olds are capable of).

So what that days are getting shorter! I will be laughing with those illuminated sticks. No doubt they will be a great attraction to my darling Oliver.

Top Tip Time

I got a parcel this morning. It contained 4 boxes. These magic boxes have the power to keep moths at bay! The ironic thing is that the moths love them too.

I'm sure you can imagine, no... you KNOW what it's like to live in a house full of niches where the moths rule if you are a wool lover.

There was a time when I had propensity to take more relaxed and tolerant stance on house-sharing with moths. I probably needn't tell you what happened. Well, I had my gorgeous lot of softest buttery cashmere eaten up. That would be it for "love & peace" as far as the "m" horrors are concerned.

Having weighed the facts I decided to take action. I looked at all chemical stuff out there and decided that I wouldn't put it anywhere near my own person or my children (or anyone, in fact). Then came somewhat gutting discovery that lavender doesn't quite do it. Although, it cannot be denied that its calming properties are very excellent indeed for dealig with post-infestational trauma.

One day whilst I was chatting with my next door neighbour she told me how she is absolutely over the moon with those boxes she uses to control moths. Next thing I knew I was on line to order some for myself. I can tell you there is no going back!

Voila...

Those ingenius things are completely non-poisonous. "They are designed for monitoring and controlling moths through non-toxic substances of sexual attraction. Male moths are attracted to the glue board and thus cannot fertilise the females; the population will be decimated continously"

It's brilliant!

You can get them here.

And here is what happened to the moth eaten cashmere:

Cashmere scarf and a funnel hat dyed in madder, 2000.

PS: Did you read the article on moth infestation in the September issue of British Vogue by Alexandra Shulman? Food for thought. Better be safe than sorry!

PPS: Did I mention cedar wood cubes in air tight boxes. Works wonders and yarns and garments smell gorgeous too. You can get them from John Lewis (in the basement). If in doubt put yarn or sweaters in the freezer for a few days and it should take care of the problem (if there is any).

Must dash. Off to get novelty needles for my next project. More about it tomorrow or Wednesday (it's Louis' 6th birthday tomorrow so it might be a bit of a stretch to blog).

It's my party and I'll knit if I want to!

I just finished reading Sharon Aris' book about Aussie knitting scene. Very fascinatig, and very witty. I had lots of fun with this book which in its design is "a light-hearted look at why knitting is the new cool". I admit, a lot of Aussie references were lost on me, but none the less I thoroughly enjoyed the read. It was a bit of a research for me into the current state of mind around knitting which (surprise, surprise) appears to be very much about timeless nurturing quality of just being present in the moment, like a medium which takes knitters to some place else where the constant chatter of the mind quitens down and it feels blisfully peaceful (except maybe for those instances where one works on a super complicated pattern or design and it feels like exactly the opposite!).

You can get this book at Amazon. To UK based knitters I would recommend Foyles, a brilliant independent bookshop.

If any of you really get the wicked side of being present in the moment there is another kind of thing I would recommend. Check this out: Kindling Point, a cutting edge organisation designed to foster awareness and dialugue (do not confuse with debate, discussion or other widely spread and, sadly, favoured means of communication, or not - as the case may be). Anyway, I am digressing.

Another thing is that I feel inspired to organise a knitting party this autumn and try this thing with socially enhanced knitting. Any of you live in London?

Knitting with Russian Blues

A little experimentation in knitting is very good. I was curious what would happen if I fused my beloved Russian Blue hand cut glass beads and stitches. Here is what happened:

A neck piece, August 2006.

Knit a River

This little knitting shrine of mine was abandoned for embaracingly long period of time. Mea culpa. I was busy as a bee managing engeneers, decorating and using any spare moment available to get some rest. Got no knitting done in about 8 weeks now! But I dare say that it was worth it. Our kitchen got transformed from an ugly duckling to a swan, even if this swan has more cosy qualities than grace. I am a kitchen dwelling creature, so having to put up with one that is not very well designed and a bit out of date and not to compatible with my style and taste was a bit painful. But it is all history now!

Just stopped my part-time job so that I can concentrate on designing and making things, and I spend an awfull lot of time in the kitchen these days. And really enjoying it! After such a long break I am feeling somewhat apprehensive about picking up the needles. I am a bit out of touch with my projects... The cardi for Clara is still on the needles - I think about a day's work away from the finish. And quite few new ideas have sprouted during the summer.

Anyway, today I wanted to let you know about a project, which is meant to prompt people to think about the importance of clean water. You can find out more about it at the I Knit website. I think this might be a perfect way to start knitting again. And for a good cause too.

Iron Age Sheep

Back from a lovely Somerset where we spent a busy week roaming around the place and having a flipping marvelous time with children. Very exhausted after two weeks of heavy duty works on the kitchen I was abducted by my significant other and three sweet peas otherwise known as Louis, Clara and Oliver and taken to a gorgeous palatial cottage in a tiny hamlet. I span loads of balls of summer tweed (Louis was very keen to help) and saw Iron Age sheep grazing on the rocks of Cheddar Gorge and in few other places. There you go - I snapped a quick picture for you, my knitting comrades. This one was actually taken in the field neighbouring onto Long Barrow (Iron Age mound). Cute, arent they: fluffy, round and brown.

Off to bed to gather some strenght for the continuation of Epic Works on the Kitchen.

The Art of Knitting in Exile

And this is precisely why I haven't been around lately. Knitting has been put on a back burner and it is very far back indeed. I have been managing a building site, which once upon a time was my kitchen, whilst (quite literally) single-handedly looking after my three full of energy children - whilst decorating, researching materials and buying cookers, designing cupboards, having chats with neighbours whilst waiting for the kettle to boil (our cooker is out of bounds at the mo) and sleeping like a log.

I am looking longingly at Clara's cursed cardi and I so wish I could just sit down for a bit and knit (this is saying something that I am looking at that damned cardi longingly).

The proverbial carrot that keeps me going is this picture I have in my head of spending long afternoons in the afore mentioned kitchen designing knits and knitting and making chocolate truffles, and sometimes roasting a beast in the oven for a family dinner (this bit seams particularly appealing after surviving a week on take-aways). In short - my idea of heaven on earth.

Actually, when I think about it there are lovely yarns arriving in the post and I ordered a/yet another stack of knitting books for my reference library - a little bits of sustenance for a starved knitter.

I wanted to post a picture of the cardi, but I have no faintest idea where the camera has gone, so an archival picture will have to do. Don't you just love this pattern?

Linen. 2003.

Loopy

Silk dyed in cochineal, indigo & safflower and logwood. 2001-2003.

Harlot

Today is time for ... Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
(imagine applause here)

For 2 reasons:

her blog is listed in my favourite links

she is a famous lover of Knitterly Arts and I bet most of you have already heard of her, which is just brilliant as I only have about 3 minutes to finish this (read: before my children get home from their outdoorsy adventures)

Stephanie is a writer, and she writes about knitting. If you haven't read anything by her yet - quick, get onto Amazon and get one of her books! And if you can't wait for it to be delivered visit her blog.

She's funny, smart and a Mum too. And I have a secret suspicion (it's not going to be much of a secret once this post is published): I think she might be a dula or a midwife also. Did you see the amount of pictures of little tiddlers on her blog? Frankly, how does she get to know all those babies? Stephanie, if you get to read this (I know from the harlot you're busy sleeping at the mo) can you please clarify? Sorry, I don't mean to be nosy, but I'm really into this style of midwifery - and something in one of her/your books made me think that.

To quickly sum up - brilliant KC*. Must know about her (or even better - her) if you consider yourself a knitter in the know.

I wonder if she's going to visit the Wool Empire (read: GB)?

PS: I think London would blow your mind, S. As far as the travelling sock is concerned, I don't know, but I think "having its socks blown off" would be difficult, technically speaking.

*Knitterly Celebrity

Sunlit stitches

The photo shows one of my favourite shawls.

Linen dyed in safflower. 2003.

I've been neglecting this spot terribly. I've got about 5 minutes to touch base with the knitting kind. Summer hols are here and kids keep me busy! However, my wonderful sister has taken them out for a walk this afternoon and I spent that time knitting. (I've got to snap a picture of progress on the cardi.) It was just great! I got completely immersed in it (not so good for the old chores, which did not get done ;)

PS: Thanks for all your lovely comments. Glad you like the colours. But let me tell you, this pattern is going to be only for those who are not afraid of epics.

A warm welcome

It is so lovely to receive welcoming messages from the members of the knitting path ring. Thanks a bunch! I am very glad to have discovered you.

Special thanks to Kendra, as I spotted it on her blog. Thanks to Sharon and Dianne also. Hooking up virtually with all of you is so much fun, Knitterly Partners in Crime.

And to celebrate new beginnings here is a picture of the cursed cardigan. I think I might be beginning to have my way with it.

Keep & Share

Well, I thought it might be a good idea to jot a few words down about some of my favourite links.

Today is time for Keep & Share. It is an unusual recommendation, considering that I am a knitter (alas capable of knitting things up myself), but I still think it is well worth knowing.

Here is why (besides that it is a lovely idea):

• all things are knitted up by skillful clever people in UK (not everything is made in China after all)


• is far more sounder in terms of sustainable thinking than acquiring a load of fashion fads, which will be so out of date three months later that it is simply not true (just think what we could do with all energy we put into being slaves of fashion and invest in long haul pieces instead)


• provides service that is tailored to suit individual needs


• is unique and taking care of a dreadful gap in the marketplace


• it is a real tribute to a more original and personal attitude towards dressing

For all those reasons and possibly quite few others, which I won't go into right now as I am running desperately short of time this morning, you would be smart to remember it. You never know! To give you an example, last year I had a baby and was so busy getting used to a new little person in the family that I had absolutely no time to knit or even think about knitting. So I got one of those lovely cardis as a treat for myself for getting along so well, and also because it was getting colder and colder as I was being faced with the eternal "I've got nothing to wear" (which actually, as I think about it, was perfectly normal given that pregnancy had left me completely unable to squeeze into any of my favourite clothes). I love that cardi to bits, and it felt good knowing that my indulgence was helping another knitter to thrive!

Well done Amy. And all the very best!

The cardi is cursed!

I am positive this cardigan I am making for Clara is cursed. How else would you explain that although I am making heroic efforts to have it come out right, it resists like hell.

I took the work off the needles today and was horrified by how irregular the stitches are, especially in the sections between birds. If you didn't know me you would of thought I had more than an occasional glass of red whilst making it. Oh, how I hate those birds for being so stubbornly difficult.

Admittingly - all the pleating has gone, but it is so far from perfection I can hardly stop myself from doing something horrific to it. Like shredding it to bits.

The only reason I have resisted the urge to succumb to this wild instinct is that I am not so easily beaten. I am not giving up yet.

I have soaked it in tepid water for a while and the stitches do look a bit more even.

It isn't much help to be such a damned perfectionist. Maybe I am cursed also?

...Maybe I need to stop right here before it escalates to "we're all cursed" or " the world is cursed" or something else completely out of proportion ("cotton is cursed"?)...

I think I need to remind myself that ideas, whilst being born into the physical world, do lose their idealistic purity and have to conform to the laws of physical world which, unfortunately, sometimes manifest as uneven tension.

Quintessential Snazzy Hat

Lavender oneness

This top was an attempt at creating a garment that is put together in a way that is effortless, smooth and graceful. All parts of this top are "fused" together by means of directing the flow of stitches wisely, so that they all join up imperceptibly.

I am so pleased with the result that I have got a plan to make yet another one for Clara, and then treat myself to one as well!

This summer top reminds me of warm and jasmin scented air in my parents garden, where I made it during my last visit. It brings up some lovely memories - I love that about the way knitting can conjure up images. It's like those moments ended up tangled in the stitches, a bit like non-verbal memoirs.

Ancient powder blue

Now, this is one of my very favourite pieces. Its simplicity and lightness are exceptional. I used a very old receipe for this silk shawl, and the dyeing session went on for days. Indigo is rather labour intensive at its purest, most ancient and authentic.

It looks rather stunning on beautiful Tanga.

2000.