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June 11, 2006
Flaming June
It’s baking outside in London today, even more so in our little sun-trap of a garden. I must stay inside until later, so as not to burn to a crisp. In a country still largely free of air-conditioning, it’s one of those days that is no good for anything that requires much exertion.
Yesterday was just as sunny, but a delicious brisk breeze refreshed all. I had two items on my agenda: to break in my new walking boots (pressing because of a 16-mile sponsored walk in a couple of weeks time), and to visit London’s latest addition to the knit ‘scene’, Stash Yarns. Two birds one stone, and it was a beautiful walk along the river between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, all around people preparing for their World Cup parties, landlords sweeping beer gardens, across the river from the northern boundary of the Wetland Centre at Barnes. A lemonade icelolly on the way back. One stop to apply a plaster to a blister.
Blue Skys Organic Cotton, ten balls, and Koigu two skeins. What else would motivate me to walk six miles? What else could buoy the mood enough to incline me to walk the six miles back again too? The cotton is going to be something like this, a sketch I made over a year ago when I first started doodling and designing. Although not the first time I have sketched. Art and Creative Writing were the only subjects to which I applied myself at school. Had I spent less time drawing fashion plates, and more time concentrating, I would probably have a far better understanding of all manner of things, like How A Plant Grows From a Seed which is the sort of elementary biology which completely passed me by. Ah, wasted youth. The cotton is so soft, and assuages my environmental guilt. I think I will name the jacket Nancy, after the pirate in Swallows and Amazons who will no longer answer to her given name Ruth, because pirates are ‘ruthless’. I can see it worn after a sunburnt day’s sailing, or on a crack-of-dawn fishing trip when there is still dew on the grass and the sun is not yet hot.
To answer your questions, the hat in Vogue in my last post is on page 109 of British Vogue July 06, and it’s by Escada Sport. I had to frog my version as it was too square on the crown, and now I really ought to press on and finish the thing, not listen to those whining little voices which say, ‘if you’d just left well enough alone you would have finished by now and not STILL be knitting bloody stripes).
Posted by Anna at June 11, 2006 11:58 AM
Comments
Swallows and Amazons, hurrah! This was one of my absolute favorite books (well, the whole series was) when I was little... and now, too (hee hee). No one here has EVER heard of them, which always makes me sad. How could other people have grown up without them? Can't wait to see the jacket finished!
Posted by: jennie at June 11, 2006 02:42 PM
12 miles for yarn! That is true dedication to the craft. And I will be looking out Swallows and Amazons before I get on a plane later this week. I do love lady pirates.
Posted by: Ashley at June 11, 2006 02:52 PM
Beautiful, beautiful design. Can't wait to see it come to fruition. Hang in there with the hat, it'll be worth the frogging I am sure!
Posted by: knittingnurse at June 11, 2006 02:52 PM
Ohhh I am so jealous! I have a friend who lives in Barnes, who I stay with whenever I go to London. I know the wetlands very well! I need to check out that yarn store when I'm there next. Can't wait to see what you come up next for the cotton. I have to say you have some of the most beautiful designs in knitting I've seen!
Posted by: Claudia at June 11, 2006 03:11 PM
Ugh, I wish I were in England! I understand the desire to be comfortable but Americans are completely obsessed with never coming into contact with the weather. They go from their air conditioned cars into air conditioned shops and back to air conditioned homes. It's killing the planet and it desensitizes us to our environment. Not to mention that it is usually set to an artic chill >=(
Oh boy, I hope this gripe isn't my first comment to you. If it is, I enjoy your design process and patterns immensely, thank you.
Posted by: Cirilia at June 11, 2006 03:15 PM
Living in a part of the US where we could not survive without air conditioning, I wonder how you do it!
I also wonder how you (though applaud your willingness to) walk 12 miles for to yarn. Gorgeous yarn to be sure!
I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the pattern from my air conditioned house! I'd send you some if I could!
Posted by: Leah at June 11, 2006 04:25 PM
I adore that organic cotton yarn from Blue Sky, but wow a 12 mile journey! Impressive.
The sketch of the new design is lovely. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Posted by: Amy at June 11, 2006 05:02 PM
Oh, I read the comment above; I wish I was an American who went from my air-contitioned car to house, etc... I live in a 1920's apartment building in LA, cute, but no air-conditioner here! I may truly break down and buy one this year, as I generally spend September lying on my living room floor in desperation, sweaty. Maybe not quite that bad... but still. Anyhoo.
Anna, lovely sketch, reminds me of sailor pants and Sid Vicious both. That organic cotton is one of my favorites, too. Press on with the hat- think of how useful it will be in this flaming June!
Posted by: Mary-Heather at June 11, 2006 05:40 PM
I'm drawn to preppy-chic and dream of apres sailing with wind blown hair, sun kissed nose, shoulders and fond memories of the day. I'll have to read Swallows and Amazons to get your full intention of this design.
I do love your sketches, your patterns always look and feel just like your intention. The markings of a strong designer.
Posted by: Miss Twiss at June 11, 2006 05:47 PM
Talk about dedication to yarn! There was one really hot weekend here, and we don't have A/C either. We finally went to some stores in search of a portable A/C but apparently everyone else was also suffering from the heat and had bought them all. It's cooled down since then, but when it gets really hot, I like to walk to a cafe down the street to knit.
Love the sketch and can't wait to see how it turns out! That Koigu color is pretty awesome too.
Posted by: Cookie at June 11, 2006 06:57 PM
Thanks for introducing me to a new writer, the book sounds intriguing. I love those kinds of children's books!
The sketch looks great, and the yarn looks really soft. I look forward to seeing the finished jacket!
Posted by: hege at June 11, 2006 07:08 PM
Lucky for me Stash Yarns is a 5 minute walk away - I bought the same Koigu at the beginning of the week. I have no idea what I am going to do with it yet - I'm just letting it feast my eyes.
Yesterday was certainly a lovely day for walking along the river with the breeze. Hope the boots caused you no blisters.
Posted by: Caroline at June 11, 2006 08:07 PM
impressive walking (though the yarn might just have made it worth it) I might be doing some of the same distances myself next weekend, though not intentionally like that.
Let's please pray that the weather in London stays nice... I am not interested in splashing in the rain :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at June 11, 2006 10:40 PM
I am really looking forward to seeing Nancy on your needles and its progress. I have only discovered "Swallows and Amazons" recently (being brought up in France, these books are not part of the children litterature over there)and I think Nancy is a great name for this jacket to be...
Posted by: francoise at June 11, 2006 10:47 PM
I remember how difficult it can be when LOndon is having warm weather :)
Nancy is going to be pretty in cream.
Posted by: erin at June 11, 2006 11:46 PM
I somehow missed Swallows and Amazons as a child and didn't discover Ransome until about five years ago. I then spent one summer reading the whole series. It was lovely not to have to wonder what to read next.
Posted by: B. at June 12, 2006 12:00 AM
p.s. When I saw the word "Flaming" I thought there was going to be a picture of your hair. I'm quite disappointed.
Posted by: B. at June 12, 2006 12:01 AM
Nancy in Blue Sky organic cotton? Oh, yes, please. My needles are ready. Do hurry! It's a marvelous design.
Posted by: Penny at June 12, 2006 01:12 AM
oh, looking forward to seeing more of that jacket!
btw, i just booked tickets to london for jac and me in august - one more shop to add to the must visit list...
Posted by: kris at June 12, 2006 10:13 AM
Thanks for the new shop link, I must visit them when I get to London ;)!
Anyway, today is even worse, hot and humid, at least it is down here.
Posted by: yuvee at June 12, 2006 01:41 PM
Twelve miles for such pretty yarn! I'm sure you'll forget about the long walk soon and just enjoy the colors and the wool on your needles.
What a wonderful design for a jacket! I really enjoy your sketches. Hope it gets cooler there too.
Posted by: Debby at June 12, 2006 02:53 PM
ooooooo I love the photos of your little garden. I love London and miss it whenever I hear about sites around town. I still enjoy the knitting topic best but feel free to add some London photos as well if you like.
Posted by: Leslie at June 12, 2006 03:53 PM
As others have already mentioned, your designs are so richly evocative. They tell wonderful stories. Yarny yarns. I can't wait to meet Nancy.
Posted by: Bottom at June 12, 2006 06:46 PM
Anna, please, I beg you...my eyes beg you...my wallet begs you...my time management skills beg you...my knitting time begs you...
Stop mentioning books!
Posted by: Gina at June 12, 2006 08:47 PM
Have you been to the wool shop in Barnes? Its about 30mins walk from Stash - so very exciting. I live in Barnes - does anyone fancy starting an evening knitting group? I know Stash have one but it only runs during school and I teach...
Posted by: Naz at June 13, 2006 01:37 PM
If any fancies starting an evening group, I am happy to open the shop for one if we have enough interest. Feel free to contact me here at Stash.
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle at June 16, 2006 12:53 PM