I’m not going to measure today, but you may be assured that I have inched forward. Or perhaps, less-than-inched.

Jenny, thank you for the link to the Kate Davies broadcast. I am listening as I write (the first part of the programme isn’t about knitting) – the link is good for five more days.

Yesterday’s Big Knitting News was that the package from Schoolhouse arrived – “The Hapsaalu Shawl”, Jane Slicer-Smith’s “Swing, Swagger, Drape” and the EZ-and-Meg Knitting Techniques DVD. (This yarn-fast is proving expensive in the book line.) I think I see a way to arrange the day so that I can spend some time with the DVD this afternoon.

Both the books are good. I had wondered a bit about spending all that money for one shawl, but it turns out that the title is generic, as one might say, The Shetland Shawl. It needs much more time than I have given it so far, but is clearly going to be good both for the background and for the knitting. Good pictures, too, both historical and contemporary.

I love the spread on pp 18-19: “Master Knitters from the late 19th century” – six grim dames; “Today’s Masters” – six cheerful biddies in traditional costumes; “Future Masters” – six pretty young things draped over park benches. All 18 women with knitting in their hands, of course.

Slicer-Smith promises well, too. I threw it in on the theory that if Meg is selling it, it can’t be entirely bad. There is a section on mitred squares – including, indeed, the cover pattern – which is going to be useful when/if I finally get around to planning something for my Koigu.

Comments

Donna, I hope you’ll take up knit-documenting. And I love your phrase, “Cold Sheep”, for a knit-fast. I’m still a long way short of the total of days you achieved.

Jenny, the radio programme is very interesting – Liz Lovick as well as Kate Davies. It includes the fascinating tidbit, mentioned by the presenter as having arrived by email, that there were no sheep in Japan until the mid-19th century. Is that partly why their knitting is so exciting – they come to it fresh?