That was another fairly difficult day, although not quite as
bad as some.
I didn't get much knitting done. I think the first
section of the Polliwog still needs another pair of rows before I can move
forward. Nor have I taken the promised photograph. I’m very pleased with what’s
happening – I can tell you that much.
I have set myself to watch Andrew&Andrea from the
beginning – that’s not too arduous, as they only started last year. They have
undoubtedly improved as they have progressed. There are a few tedious passages in
the early episodes which I fast-forward through. Not many.
Andrea is terribly keen on Alice Starmore, and has
knitted some beauties. I’ve got quite a few Starmore books – and I took a class
with her once, in London, on Celtic cables – but I don’t think I’ve ever knitted anything
of hers. For many years the Stillwater pattern, in her book of the same name, was
at the head of my wish-list. But eventually
I tried it and found that I couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm with the
pattern. What happened to the yarn?
I have looked at it again over the last couple of
days. I still think it is utterly beautiful. It doesn’t look as if it should be
impossible to establish a rhythm.
I don’t think either Alice or Jade turn up as guests
on the Andrew-and-Andrea show, despite very substantial promotion of their
patterns and yarn. Maybe next week.
I had yarn for a sweater in one of the Starmore books, I realized I wasn't getting to it in this lifetime and sold it on ebay. I hope it made it into a sweater! Wishing you a smoother weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw "Celtic Knitting" I thought it was the most beautiful pattern book I had ever seen - the landscapes, the jewellery, the heavy eye make-up - not to mention the wonderful use of colour. However, I have only ever used the cable patterns as elements in throws. I would like to be able to use motifs from the Fair Isle charts but they are just too busy with symbols. I'd not seen Stillwater before - it certainly is lovely, but I suspect that the motifs lack symmetry so it will be hard to get into a flow in your knitting. Also, Andrea seems very skilled at customising shapes to fit neatly. This would add to the challenge with a colourwork sweater.
ReplyDeletePS Mosaic courses on Pelion sounds like a dream job. Well done, Helen.
I also started Stillwater; I think I got to the armhole steek. I don't remember why I abandoned it.
ReplyDeleteAbout the issue of rhythm: can you study the graphs to see whether there is a rhythm eventually? Failing that, another swatch scarf (or cap, or wristlets) might be a way to investigate. Since it would only be to check the pattern for rhythm, the colors need not be the same.
ReplyDelete