Tuesday, February 02, 2021

 

2024 steps. Distinctly dim. The weather was unattractive, but at least there was cloud cover all day.

 

12 scallops done, along the edging of the third side of Gudrun’s hap. I am working on a plan of blocking the finished shawl on the double bed after all. I think perhaps it could be done. I would have to crawl around on the bed for one side, but that’s not impossible, and I know I could get from there to the floor successfully.


Speaking of which, my falls alarm went off at 7:15 this morning. They ring me, when that happens, and if I don't answer, they come. The woman who phoned said that the call had come from the pendant I wear around my neck. It was on the chair beside the bed. It must have been Paradox, agitating for her breakfast, although I wasn't aware of her anywhere near the chair. Or a poltergeist.

 

Norah Gaughan’s new book much enjoyed. I first met travelling stitch at Camp Stitches ’99, when I did a class with Candace Strick. Goodness, how long ago! She told us about the German pattern collections which Meg now sells. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll get them down and look again. I am greatly taken by Gaughan’s design called “Sketch”, No. 115, which gives the effect of broken shards. It involves travelling on both sides of the fabric which I gather is not easy at all. It would have to be done in the round. A hat? There are garment patterns at the end of the book. The author invites you to swap stitch patterns in and out.

 

Reading

 

I’ve gone on with “A Perfect Spy”. It’s not so much gloom as a sense of un-ease, but it turns out to be un-put-down-able. It’s very hard to believe that I’ve read it. I remember the first chapter fairly distinctly; after that, nothing.

 

A sort-of autobiography of Madhur Jaffrey is being broadcast this week. I’m not sure whether it derives from an actual book. I heard the first installment last night. She and I share a birthday – not just day and month; Helen’s husband David and I have that much in common – but year as well. To my delight, the whole birthday was announced on the radio last night.

5 comments:

  1. I am far too lazy a knitter to either twist or cable on both sides, no matter now nice it looks. Unless, as you say, it is worked in the round. I will look at the pictures in NG’s book for a good long while and admire her genius. I designed a cowl with a sort of two color traveling stitch, that’s about as complex as I go. Jean did you see how much snow they got in NJ? My sister in Morristown said nearly 30 inches!!

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    1. Anonymous10:12 PM

      I made that cowl! It is coming in very handy! Not just because of the cold weather this year, but I did it as an ImPeachMint Resistance cowl.

      Even without a secret meaning, it is a wonderful pattern!

      Beverly in NJ

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  2. I'm just trying some patterns from "The Japanese stitch Bible". i like looking at the lace patterns on the page but anything that involves purling through the back loop is a no for me so I'm sticking with the simpler ones for now.

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  3. Anonymous10:31 AM

    I came across a beautiful hat done all in traveling stitches in a mostly basic knitting book I had bought years ago. Written out row by row. I always intended to tackle it one day. Then in a move it got left behind. Don't even remember the name of the book. Probably just as well. I am in the midst of wrestling with a simple cardigan in a too-expensive-to-ignore beautiful cotton bought, innocent of cotton's Issues, years ago. Which is why my comment sprung to mind when Mary Lou described her twisted stitch ordeal. I do believe combat terms are entirely appropriate in knitting. Chloe

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    1. Anonymous5:11 PM

      "I do believe combat terms are entirely appropriate in knitting". Priceless! And so true.
      -- Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

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