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April 25, 2006
Sometimes
I've got out of the habit of posting regularly. At times, the knitting seems significant, important, compelling. At others, it feels like a job of work.
Commitments to be met, ends to be tied up. Dear old Dad has requested a cardigan (de rigeur for men in the coming seasons) with which to accessorise his advancing years, and working on it calls to mind the title of Sharon's blog. Dad, you have over twice my upper body surface area. Also a Ferragamo inspired summer cardigan, which just needs a few minutes of concentration with a calculator before I can continue. Mr Raitte is shooting donkeys (cameras, not guns) on the Indian subcontinent, and I've been distracting myself from the quiet house with constant engagements - and in consequence have barely knit a stitch. In The War of Art, Pressfield explains that the challenge of seriously pursuing a creative path, is staying focussed on the task in hand, acknowledging it isn't always fun, or easy. Dad told me once, as I complained about an unreasonable client demanding yet another rewrite, that anyone can write copy. The real test of creativity is to discover a new approach even after the first, second and third attempts haven't worked.
We have along weekend approaching, and rain is forecast for Sunday. Knitters and gardeners pray for rain. Maybe I can finish something.
Posted by Anna at 11:38 PM | Comments (18)
April 23, 2006
I came across this today
I came across this thread on creativity, a subject I've been contemplating a great deal these past months, via Final Fashion. I think it demands a fuller read-through in the morning.
I really will try and post something more substantial soon... regular posting seems to have got away from me somewhat, and I'm feeling quite scattered and distracted.
Posted by Anna at 12:31 AM | Comments (6)
April 15, 2006
Needle & Hook - luxury knitwear
My latest harebrained scheme is to bring the joy of handknits to non-knitters. At Needle & Hook, my designs can be ordered and delivered as finished garments a few weeks later. A niche in the market... but is there a market in the niche? No doubt I'll find out soon enough. The prices are realistic: making your own cardigan is surely not cheaper than buying one mass- or machine-produced, but compare it to a store-bought hand knit and you've stitched a dyed-in-the-wool bargain.
The plan is a cunning one because, unusually for a new business venture, it involves almost no financial risk: practically no outlay until the first order comes in. There are of course, though, other risks. Most specifically to my confidence. But lets cross that bridge if we come to it. For now, please be my guests and peruse. Tell me what you think. (And if you find any bugs, other than the caterpillar.)
Posted by Anna at 05:54 PM | Comments (74)
April 12, 2006
Crest of the wave
Dundonnell stole, started 27 Feb 06 finished 10 Apr 06
Pattern: Eunny's Print O' the Wave
Yarn: Hipknits cashmere sock yarn, 3 skeins
She’s huge! Using sock-weight yarn and 4mm needles has given me a stole over seven feet long, but light, soft, airy and comforting. More of a blanket than a stole in truth, but an instant favourite. This stole will keep me warm - in memory of Uncle John.
It was a nail-biting finish. Working the wave pattern along the final edge, I was already contemplating contingency plans as I knit faster and faster in that well-known knitters' tactic of trying to beat the yarn before it ran out. But run out it did. Delving into my textile recycling bag my luck was in and a swatch I had worked was retrievable, and just enough to finish. Here's what was left over, with a ring for scale - no more than three metres: the knitting sprites are forgiving, and smiled on me that day.
Posted by Anna at 08:22 AM | Comments (60)
April 11, 2006
Fixing a Hole
I'm looking for a way to make galleries of the amazing Elfines, Badcauls, Jemimas and Bridies which are popping up all over. But in the meantime, in case you hadn't had the chance to see yet, I had to show you the two Sargent Peppers that I've actually seen finished. That the finishing is a real test of spirit. Tremendous kudos to the first two members of the Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lauren (who test knit Rebel for Alchemy), and Stephanie who finished hers just this week - beautiful.
Posted by Anna at 09:54 PM | Comments (12)
April 04, 2006
Tiggy at last
I just had to share the joy of Tiggy, finished not half an hour ago. All that ruflette tape was sewn in place by hand, so it took a while. But I think it was worth it; you can use the pockets now without the fronts stretching out of shape. And I did my usual trick of reinforcing the neckline with some stitching, so as to put a curb on how much the stitches there can stretch. The length of the sleeves feels extremely practical - no need to roll up for cooking or other types of mess-making.
Tiggy cardi, started 21 Jan 06 finished 4 Apr 06
Pattern: My own design
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed
Posted by Anna at 06:04 PM | Comments (49)