Malstrøm Fisherman's Sweater

Some of you may wonder if I am still knitting, and indeed am I still writing knitting patterns? I have been a little distracted by walking, gardening and other crafts, and this latest project has taken me such a long time. I have been working on it most of this year, but thinking about it for even longer. But I am really pleased to have finally completed my first adult garment knitting pattern. It will be for sale shortly in all the ususal places: ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

A few years ago I knitted my husband an Icelandic sweater. Not from my own pattern, but a fairly vintage one from ravelry, and genuine Icelandic wool. Since then he has been asking me to make a Norweigan style fisherman's sweater. I tried to tempt his with other Norweigan sweaters, but he was very specific in what he would like. Fairly simple pattern over the whole garment, stripes on the rib sections, and reserved colours. I can see this style of sweater for sale, but could not find quite the right pattern.

So I decided to go for it, and write my own pattern. Having written it up for his size, I have graded it for other sizes. The pattern has eight sizes from 32-46 inch chest, so could be for men or women. It is knitted in DK, and I think would also look nice with navy, if you were going for a different traditional look. This has taken quite a long time, and a lot of maths. I am not bad at maths, but knitting maths is something quite specific, which needs not just maths but also knowledge of knitting.

He is very happy with the finished garment, and I persuaded him that we should go all out for the photos. He really is the best, as I am sure a lot of husbands would have refused to do this. It was quite a blustery day, so hopefully he looks like a swarthy Cornish (or even Norweigan) fisherman. Thankyou to whoever owns the fishing equipment that was on the beach at Bude!

Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I've been posting with hints of willow and tissue lanterns for quite a while, and last Friday was meant to be the reveal, as part of procession at the Tavistock Dickensian Evening. Mixed feelings when the procession, and in fact most of the outdoor parts of the evening, was cancelled. Very disappointing, as that was what we had been working towards, but it would equally have been very upsetting to have seen the lanterns ruined in the rain, and possibly not to have much of an audience.

So at last I can show you my Barn Owl. Yes, I know, I am quite keen on owls.

The lanterns are going to be on display in Tavistock Guildhall this week, and will no doubt be part of our Christmas decorations at home. And as this is an annual event, perhaps if we look after them, they will be part of next year's parade. 

Planning to take some photos of the other lanterns later in the week. I would say that my barn owl was one of the least ambitious. Can't wait to see them all displayed. I will also post a photo of my son's lantern, which he was up finishing so late into the night, that it was actually the morning.

It was one of the best courses I have done with West Devon Arts. I really did not envisage that making the lanterns would more than fill up the 8 sessions, so much so that I think everyone had to do some at home. I think it was so good because we were all working towards an event, and somehow sitting around one table seemed to lead to more chat.

Knitting and Art

Went up to London recently, and was struck by this Picasso print at the British Museum. I wonder what other works of art contain knitters?

Tamara Way - Bridgerule to Launcells Barton

It has been quite a while since our last walk on the Tamara Way. We are getting a bit further from home now, so it is taking a bit more organising. But today we kicked off again from Bridgerule. My husband headed off to Widmouth Bay with the dog, and we arranged to meet up later at the end of our walk.

It was very nice to catch some glimpses of the sea, and despite my idea that we just head to the coast and say we have walked from south coast to north, my son is determined that we do the walk properly. The view above was so much more dramatic than it looks in my photo. We had just climbed a steep hill after Hobbacott Farm, and I was enjoying having a rest.

We ended today's walk at Launcells Barton, where the route now doesn't go near the house, which seems to have become a wedding venue.  We enjoyed seeing the church in the evening light, and St. Swithin's Holy Well below. Reading our Tamara book it sounds like the church would have been interesting to look around, so this is our plan for the beginning of the next stage.

 

Mosaic and Willow

I don't seem to have posted very much crafty on here recently. I am at the sewing up stage of my husband's jumper, so there will be something crafty soon. But I have been crafting, and I just thought I would update you on what I (and my son) have been up to.

Since August we have been helping each week with a community project to restore the mosaic that hangs in Tavistock Pannier Market. We go once a week, and there are others on different days, all co-ordinated and organised by Andy Cairns. It has been such a big project, as each piece of the mosaic has been traced, and then every piece has to be removed, cleaned of the old grout/glue/wooden backing, and then glued back in the right place. If anything is broken, than a new piece is made. So as you can see, it is not quite done, but I think next week we will be grouting.

The mosaic was originally erected in 2006 on the outside of the Tavistock Pannier Market after being designed by artist Emma Spring. The mosaic features locations of archaeological and industrial, commercial buildings and schools sites that have existed since the 1830s.

Our other weekly activity has beenworking on our willow and tissue lanterns for the Dickensian evening. The course is over, but we still have access to the studio to finish them. I am keeping mine a secret, but my son's anomalocaris is coming along. We brought him home today, so he can start working on the colour. Got quite a lot of stares as we came out the building. I am still keeping my lantern a secret.

Lantern Teaser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my son and I are going to a willow and tissue lantern making course, and our final pieces will be in a Christmas Lantern Procession in Tavistock. 

Although it is an eight week course we only have two more weeks to go, so my son brought his project home, and did a bit of construction in the kitchen. Both are lanterns are going to be animals - mine fairly conventional, and his less so. Anyone who knows him might be able to guess! This is the willow stage, and the next bit is to attach lights and make the tissue covering.

Apologies for terrible photos in my kitchen. If anyone can correctly name the creature I will be very impressed.

Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I have been learning a new craft over the last few weeks, at a weekly willow and tissue lantern making course. My son has also been going, and his is the lantern above. Mine is below, and is meant to represent the weather/seasons. These were our learning lanterns, as they were really done so we could practice the techniques.

I got a little bit carried away with the tissue decorations, which was partly a delaying tactic, before moving on to our individual projects. These bigger lanterns will be in the Dickensian Parade in Tavistock in December. Nearly all of the group are making animals of various sizes. So eventually I'll be posting some more pictures of these.