stripping down
Eeep I wrote this ridiculously long post earlier and then firefox crashed. (shouldn’t that be an oxymoron?) I don’t think I have the energy left to re-create the entire thing now, but it was sort of in two parts anyway, so here is the first.
Sorry for the lengthy silence, wasn’t intending that. It’s for a few reasons, one of which seems relevant, because it’s led to the decision to be more focused on this blog. I haven’t had much to say because I’ve been getting stressed trying to design things for submissions. All of these deadlines have passed me by, and I think I’m just to busy with things that are, at least for the moment, more important (uni, sorting my flat out, etc). I have realised though, that I feel sort of ambivalent about doing stuff to be published: it makes something fun feel like work, at a time when I’ve realised that I need it to be fun, and it stops me blogging about what I’m working on. I really enjoy the process of writing about and photographing what I’m doing, and why. It doesn’t seem to make sense to be making myself work on secret things when I’d rather be working on making stuff to share here, and on making this whole site more interesting.
I have lots of projects on the go, without being too excited or focused on any of them, so I decided to just stop trying so hard and go back to what I like about knitting. So I made a couple of garter stitch dishcloths. As stripped down, simple and utilitarian as possible these didn’t even require ’spare’ time: I knit them while reading. Then I photographed one hanging from my kitchen mantelpiece with the tacky ‘rustic’ tiles chipped off and the dingy orange textured wallpaper all stripped down. I have no before photos (daylight here is very scarce right now) but perhaps I can rummage threw the bags of rubbish to share the shreds of how it was before my dad attacked it.
Anyway, the rest of the orignal post was basically about some of the things I’m working on for here. The patterns for the opera gloves, stripy and snow white among other things.
Posted: November 27th, 2006 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 7
Comments
Comment from Heather
Time: November 27, 2006, 9:17 pm
What a gorgeous photo! I love distressed surfaces anyway, but that combination of simple knitting and the stripped wall is so rich and evocative - it looks timeless. And you say you knit the dishcloth while reading, but anything handknit seems to signify care and patience and loving attention - which sounds just like what you need right now. I’ve been reading your blog long enough now to believe that you are a true artist - and things like deadlines and production have a way of squelching that spirit.
By the way, I love my Arisaig sweater - you can see a picture of it on my blog a post or two back - I’ll post it to flick once I get my head wrapped around how that works.
Comment from jen
Time: November 28, 2006, 8:23 am
I like those photos too. I know exactly what you mean about submission deadlines, it’s hard to fit it all in, knitting something takes a long time, and it makes for a boring blog (not yours but mine can be at times!). It’s much more fun seeing things get made slowly. but then so satisfying to get something published - dilemma!
Comment from clementine
Time: November 28, 2006, 10:02 am
I empathise! I’ve had the same problem (except with writing, not knitting)? that something which “should” be your dream? publication? ends up sucking, because it strips away the pleasure of what you do.
But you are never boring? otherwise we wouldn’t keep coming back. Love your crafty content, love the non-crafty content, and hope you keep enjoying the blog… I for one would miss it if you stopped writing.
That said, don’t entirely give up on the idea of publication? your patterns ARE fantastic. It might all just come together at a less stressful time, and you’ll find you can enjoy it more next time.
But it ’s good that you can remember to relax and take pleasure in the small things… like your dishcloths! :)
Comment from Kelly-Marie Dudley
Time: November 28, 2006, 12:16 pm
Amen. I am glad to hear someone else celebrate the process of knitting and blogging - I find it both exciting and soothing. My neighbours look at me like a loon as I shuffle around the garden in wool sweater mid-June looking for good lighting or lay out socks on my path because the flat is too dark.
I enjoy your blog and the inspiration it brings and understand that we all need a break now and again :)
Comment from stacey
Time: November 28, 2006, 4:02 pm
It’s nice to get back to the basics every once and a while. Our knitting “roots”….
Comment from Leah
Time: November 28, 2006, 7:51 pm
What a fantastic photo! I’m glad to know that you are getting back into blogging as your blog has long been a huge source of inspiration for me! :)
Comment from kate
Time: November 29, 2006, 2:55 am
I can totally agree — we purchased a 150 year old house with unknown plumbing issues a month before my first semester of grad school started. I was trying to dye yarn, knit for myself, others AND school (textile design student) while trying to adjust — and fix a hole in the wall.
As soon as knitting isn’t fun, or doesn’t serve its “puropse” in your life, it is smart to take a step back and evaluate why it makes you happy.
I also recently started a blog, and even with the few readers I do have, it helps me to “check” myself and remind myself of projects/ideas, etc. I was never much for journals, but blogs serve that purpose, I think. (And yours is always beautiful, insightful and inspiring!)
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