Wednesday, November 12, 2008
ORNAMENTAL GIFT BAG PATTERN POSTED
Two little bags on a wooly thyme carpet
'Tis weeks before the holidays and all through the house (and the malls and the grocery stores) , you have been in a state of perpetual motion. If this keeps up, you and the Thanksgiving turkey will look virtually interchangable only the turkey might be better dressed. And, let's face it, the season has just begun. And you have presents to buy. And your feet hurt already but who has time for exhaustion?
STOP AND KNIT. No, I am not advocating an uninterupted spell of time to yourself if such indulgences cause you to be beseiged by gollops of guilt. NO, I am suggesting you prepare for the holidays by knitting someone a present thus simultaneously enjoying the process, relaxing, while preparing to shed a bit of glimmer into someone's life. Who do you know could use a lovely little pouch (not paunch, pouch), an eyeglass case, a festive Blackberry bag or a stylish nest for treasured jewelry? And, does the fact that you can knit such little gifts in an evening appeal?
Blackberry bag on thyme
True stash slimmers, these little guys are made from any kind of yarn but feature one or two ribbons each. Think crispy ribbons like Louisa Hardings Sari or Judi&Co Luminess or thick, fat and silky yarns like Trendsetters Segue. Worked in k2p2 ribbing FairIsle style, these bags have bones with a mosaic-like surface interest to intrigue. Make them with straps or without, add a button closure or make a flap. Exchange the elements as you please and make them to any size you want. Instructions on how to size plus make i-cord straps and lining the bags are included. OH, and did I mention embellishment? This is no season for plain so haul out those beads and baubles, make these babies shine!
If you want to use the same kind of diva yarns I have, contact Jackie at jg22622@aol.com. She collects yarns and is busily purchasing some for kits of this project. And the pattern is available now here http://www.janethornley.com/patterns_bags.html .
Silken linings
As the holidays approach, I wish you all uninterupted, guilt-free knitting time and ardently hope that you can keep your balances checked and your stress level (and bank accounts) within allowable limits. Gift-giving doesn't have to be about financial pain: a little stash, a pair of needles and an evening to yourself may be all it takes for some on your list.
Posted by Jane on 11/12 at 06:48 AM
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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)
Posted by Jane on 11/09 at 03:11 AM
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From the entry 'Wild, Mysterious Australia'.
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| By Christine Jones on 2008 12 28 |
