Sunday, November 09, 2008

TUSCAN KNITTING

The Medici Jacket (from the Knitaly Collection)

Freshly returned from Tuscany, one part of my imagination lingers in that gorgeous landcape of food, wine and inspiration. In fact, I only just finished the book on the Medici dynasty I purchased in Florence and began as bedtime reading while there (what was I thinking? There was no bedtime reading! It was 'walk into the bedroom and promptly collapse', though I do think I managed to translate the label of a new tube of toothpaste one evening. Don't laugh—it was in Italiano). Obviously my passion for Tuscany is longstanding as my book on Knitaly testifies: three years later, the designs first inspired by Toscana still live in my Knitaly collection. The Medici Coat in particuliar appears to be having a bit of a renaissance.

When I look through those designs, I remember the influences so recently refreshed in the landscape of my mind. Tuscany. So incredibly beautiful, so vibrant, so simple yet refined. The message of grace in the art of life seems more prevalent here than in any other place I've visited. When I lead my Knitaly08 cadre there a few weeks ago, the trip was about so much more than knitting. Though knitting both random and guided threaded throughout our ten days together, we were on a true voyage of inspiration. Yes, the economy penetrated our delight betimes and more than once somebody moaned a bit when considering what their investments might be doing back home but then…Italy took over, reminding us all that life is best lived for the moment, that now is all you're really sure of so enjoy it to the fullest. We did.

Lunch at Chianti Cashmere

Field of Dreams top (from the Knitaly Collection)