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June 24, 2007
Restraining the rainbow
I don't think I'm alone in this: I love to look at variegated yarn in the skein, but balk at making much other with it than socks, or perhaps the occasional scarf. I refer of course specifically to the multi-colour variegation that we see in Koigu KPPPM, for example, rather than the subtle variations in a hand-dyed semi-solid shade.
Now I know that variegated yarn has many many devotees, and while I would not hesitate to lay down some dictats about what does and does not fall under the definition of 'style', this is not one of them. Just that for me personally, the variegated garment, unless it is very monochrome, the stitch pattern exactly right, and the yarn particularly appropriate, has often, to my eye, a touch of the tie-dye about it. A valid stylistic choice in and of itself, but not one I myself often make.
(Although as an aside, one of my favourite items of clothing ever owned was a soft cotton t-shirt, orange, with a large yellow sun tie-dyed onto the front. My uncle Ben made two, matching, one each for me and my cousin Chloe. We wore them with crowns made of tin-foil and our underpants, one hot summer at Granny's house. We held hands, scampered around the garden, ate apples. It was 1975 and we were three.)
Browsing in Liberty's, first floor ladies' fashion, this past spring (a recommended way to kill an hour in the West End, department of your choosing), my eye was caught by a neat summer jumper by Marc Jacobs. Narrow, textured stripes to body and sleeves - I believe his were in shades of red, green, khaki, sand, brown – were sharpened beautifully by natural cotton rib.
So the Marc Jacobs inspiration, some Koigu and some Rowan 4-ply cotton led to this. The colours are not particularly true - it's terribly gloomy this weekend. I'll withhold judgement for as long as it takes me to work out an envelope neckline treatment, and report back.
I know, you're on tenterhooks.
Posted by Anna at 08:46 AM | Comments (45)
June 16, 2007
Thank you so much for all your good wishes on my announcement! It was especially good fun meeting all those who poked their heads up from behind the parapet to say hello for the first time, and I'd encourage you all to pipe up again in future!
I hope the crushing tiredness wears off soon. It's pouring with rain today - wonderful for the garden and wonderful knitting weather - and there are all manner of useful things with which I should be occupying myself, but all I can think of is how long I can hold out before my second nap of the day.
Posted by Anna at 01:29 PM | Comments (32)
June 08, 2007
Why climb a hill when I can climb a mountain
'Just' writing a book clearly wasn't enough of a challenge. So I decided to have a baby at the same time, specifically planned so that the deadlines for both be within eight weeks of each other. My editor, who thankfully seems to be a delightful person, was entirely unflustered by the news. She tells me this is not uncommon - apparently the urge to create, when it strikes, can be very strong.
The heir to Raitte Hall is due to make an appearance around the 12th of December. He or she is confirmed as having ten fingers, ten toes, two brain hemispheres, and, according to my mother on seeing the scan picture, my forehead. A better start, you'll agree, is difficult to imagine.
Posted by Anna at 09:59 AM | Comments (178)