Sunday, November 12, 2006

Little to say. Sunday mornings are tough because Radio Four alternates unction with bursts of music which make it difficult to drift in and out of sleep as I can on other mornings, listening to the Shipping Forecast and Farming Today and the early bits of the Today program. And this time of year, to lie awake in the morning is to be gripped by dreadful anxiety.

Never mind. It’s over for another week.

Woolgathering

Kathy, it always begins with an article by Meg, leading in to the pattern. The pattern itself is never take-it-or-leave-it, but always full of options and techniques. There will also be a discussion of new books – I like that a lot, trust Meg’s choices, and buy quite a few of my knitting books from her.

But now that the website is fully operational, you can read about the book choices there.

The models are always family members or friends, and Meg is a brilliant photographer, amongst her many other talents. That’s a big plus.

Speaking of books, does anybody have any opinions about “Knitting out of Africa”? I had thought it was one I could do without, on the assumption that there aren’t any serious native knitting traditions there (I could be wrong) and that the book was a translation of some of the wonderful African textile designs into knitting patterns. Which might be interesting but, I thought, not interesting enough. Why not just get an African textile book?

However, Meg is very enthusiastic. Should I think again?

Non-knit

I spent yesterday afternoon tidying up papers which have been removed from the dining room cupboard because myhusband wants it for other purposes. The task was immensely depressing, but among the papers I found this:

11-12-2006 09;32;56AM

It’s well observed. Notice that left-hand pocket into which the perennial handkerchief is stuffed. The artist was our second grandchild, Rachel’s daughter Hellie, who will be 20 tomorrow. This was done ten years ago.

3 comments:

  1. Knitting Out Of Africa, you asked.

    I bought it when it became available in in the US (March or April) because of all the great things I heard.

    It's wonderful eye-candy.

    There's a lot of good technique explained in words and drawings (incorporating entrelac into a sweater in ways I might actually try, for example).

    All of the sweaters are produced in fingering weight (CYCA superfine #1--sock/baby) and seem to be in a range of 38"-52" (some in only 2 of the sizes because of the patterning).

    I will use this book for inspiration, probably will never make anything in it.

    There's a "look inside" here:
    http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/Knitting_Africa/inside.asp

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  2. Anonymous2:21 PM

    I was impressed that she drew you wearing a raglan sweater.... truly the grandchild of a Knitter.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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  3. Anonymous12:15 AM

    Hello Jean, Delurking to try to help out with the surina needles hunt. First, I hope you have found the lost ones. If not, and if Joe can't help, Angel yarns have them, but they do warn that they are delicate (yikes). Also, Stash yarns in Putney, London have the Blue Sky Alpaca needles in fancy tins, and I think they're made of surina, but they are quite expensive and had a bad review on the Knitters' Review website. Hope this helps and that your arm is fully mended soon. I really missed your blog recently and am glad to see you back. I aspire to knit something as gorgeous as Princess one day, but I'm building up to it! Best wishes, Tricia

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