Back to School
Thank you so very, very much for all the sweet comments about Snow White.
Apologies for the absence, I was busy last week with some family stuff and didn’t have time to blog, or reply to emails or anything. I’ve still not caught up with everything I was going to do last week at all, and some of it is now on hold. Term started this week, and maybe it’s because this might be the last time I ever get to experience it but I’m completely in that promising ‘back to school’ mode. Yesterday I bought new notebooks (moleskins, yay!) and stuff to make a new bag and skirt. I’m ahead on the reading for my courses for the first time ever, and then after my class this morning I went to the library and did the reading for my class on Thursday. The dissertation deadline is looming very scarily now though. But still, this good student thing is a bit of a novelty. I wonder how long it will last? (Lets hope beyond the first day of term at least, because I think if I work hard this term I might get a first and you know ‘fulfill my potential’).
Last night, I was being strangely organised about this morning and decided to have a shower at night so I could stay in bed longer be on time for my class. My hair is incredibly fine and ends up a horrible mess while I sleep so that I invariably end up washing it in the morning again anyway. To avoid that, and also because I’m a little obsessed with vintage hairstyles, I curled it with rags. I used to do this a lot when I was about 9 and obsessed with novels like the Chalet School, although I think the rag ringlets obsession started with the My Naughty Little Sister books. Please though, don’t do this to a kid unless she is really excited about the idea. Otherwise the discomfort seems like a form of torture.
I’ve never made such tight curls doing this before, it wasn’t quite what I was aiming for but I love the craziness of it. They’ve stayed very well, especially because I combed a little setting lotion through first because I knew rain was almost certain. These pictures are both a bit creepy, but were the best I managed with the beginnings and ends of the daylight and the camera at arms length thing.
- If you want to try this googling ‘rag ringlets’ will bring up some useful tutorials.
You really shouldn’t have asked how I did my hair for the Snow White pics, because now I feel validated in blogging about playing with my hair. Tomorrow I might show you how I did the Snow White style - it’s very simple.
The most excellent necklace I bought ages ago from here: http://www.snappedtwig.com/ a site I found via craftster.
The necklace in the Snow White post was a birthday gift (incidentally my birthday is in July, sorry if I was confusing posting the 21 years flickr set now although thankyou for the happy birthday wishes anyway). I saw it in Thailand and my mum sneakily bought it for me, after questioning my sanity for liking something so insanely over the top. I do adore it.
So to prevent my blog turning into a very girly magazine about hair and jewelry (do not get me started on shoes or make up) here’s my new toy.
And now I have no excuse for not doing the opera gloves pattern illustrations. Er other than that I have lots of work to do.
Do you see my Matilda cup? it was a Christmas gift from my mum and although not as good as the one she painted for me (must share that indeed) is wonderful. It really is one of my favourite books, and there can’t be many children’s novels that make learning and intelligence exciting.
Thankyou very much to everyone who offered to test knit Snow White. I started off replying to people individually but then had to do other things. My plan now is to figure out exactly what I’m looking for in terms of sizes and timescale and then I’ll email everyone who offered. First person willing to knit each size who replies gets to do it. (I’ll give some prior warning on the blog so that if you really want to do this you know when to check your email). To answer a couple of questions though:
- you have to supply your own yarn, but it does not have to be the yarn I used. I’ll give you some details on the properties I think the pattern requires from a yarn, and I’d like you to stick to gauge using a yarn of more or less the same weight.
- You do get to keep the finished sweater, although pictures would be great.
- I’ve had a few people offering to test knit asking about the necessary experience level. The pattern will be as clear as I can make it, and I’d like it to be as easy as possible for someone to knit who is learning new techniques as they go along. However there will be a timeframe that I’d like test knitters to stick to. It’s up to you to decide whether you’re going to struggle with that or whether (if for example it’s your first sweater) you might want to wait until you know there aren’t any issues with the pattern and you can go at your own pace.
And that was a week or more’s blogging in one. If you actually read all of that there is the possibility of winning a reward by commenting. The 1500th comment wins (um, something). It’s close, but I won’t tell you how close.
Posted: January 9th, 2007 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 52
Comments
Comment from ambermoggie
Time: January 9, 2007, 10:27 pm
that brings back memories rags in the hair:)
amber in scotland
Comment from Risa
Time: January 9, 2007, 10:31 pm
Your hair looks great like that :)
Comment from heatherly
Time: January 9, 2007, 10:40 pm
several years ago..ok like 12 yrs noe.. i was in germany with my husband. it was raining. i was bored. so i ragged his hair
it was awesome! his almost shoulder legnth hair was a great fro when i was done.
Comment from kristin
Time: January 9, 2007, 10:55 pm
Oh yes, you MUST show us how you did your hair like that! It’s too good not to share.
Comment from risa
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:08 pm
i recently found your blog through the black apple and i love reading it because you look like you could be the younger sister of one of my favorite co-workers from my last job in new york.
Comment from michael
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:14 pm
Ah, the rag-curls are VERY cool! And that necklace is too clever.
Comment from anna
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:14 pm
great hair! I used to rag my little sister’s hair very often, and it would always turn out very tight, like yours. I never tried it on my own (we both have exceptionally fine hair, like yours). I wonder how you get those luscious, fat ringlets like in the picture books.
Comment from Amanda
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:16 pm
I just saw that pendant on craftster yesterday, and here it is again. I wonder if fate is trying to tell me something…It is so unique and beautiful: it is perfect for you!
Comment from Knittiana
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:19 pm
See, I was one of the people who thought it was your birthday… Either way, congratulations never hurt!
Comment from Katherine
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:21 pm
Oh, I had an obsession with ringlets because of My Naughty Little Sister and the Chalet School. They never stayed put because my hair is too thick, I always found that very disappointing.
Already commented on the Matilda mug at Flickr but it’s so great I’ll say it twice!
Comment from nush
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:39 pm
Aw, you look so great with your hair like that. And I love your sewing needle resin pendant - a great find.
Back to school is not good for me as this term meant mock exams and I now have a huge blister on my thumb. So no knitting for Nush.
xn
Comment from donnac1968
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:53 pm
Cool hair & necklace. And good luck with the first. I hope you get it. I always regret not working harder (I did have health issues but it’s not really an excuse!) and not “fulfilling my potential”.
Comment from Jodie
Time: January 9, 2007, 11:54 pm
Good luck with your first week back to school and keeping in the good student mode. My good student mode only ever lasts a couple of weeks tops.
Comment from Natalie
Time: January 10, 2007, 12:41 am
I do love the old hair styles, though I do pincurls myself. I have done braids, but my hair is quite thick and goes fairly wild in the process.
I love the pendant, and also Snow White, I can’t wait until it is ready.
My friend just got a Wacom tablet as well, that is one exciting toy! I’m sure that you will enjoy it.
Good luck on staying a good student, I’m trying that one out myself as well. It’s a little distressing….
Comment from kaby
Time: January 10, 2007, 12:53 am
Back-to-school lasts a lot longer than school itself, never fear!
And of course, this as an extremely mercenary first comment on the offchance of winning a prize. Although I honestly am an avid (if lurking) reader!
Comment from Amy
Time: January 10, 2007, 12:57 am
My grandma used to do my hair like that when I was little. When I try to do it the end stick out and when I unroll them they look all crazy.
I LOVE Roald Dahl. I just read Boy, his autobiography of his childhood, and it was heaven.
Comment from pav
Time: January 10, 2007, 1:43 am
Love the pendant. It looks so pretty! The only time I have ever fiddled with resin was when I worked for my dad and it was horrible and black and stained all my clothes. And it was filling void space in transformers for audio equipment. ho hum.
I also remembering doing my hair by curling it and sleeping with it wet when I was little and my mum freaking out when I had to go to school. She wouldn’t let me leave the house and needless to say I missed the school bus as she moused it straight.
Comment from Anne
Time: January 10, 2007, 1:43 am
ooooooh wonderful tablet
I cant wait!
Are you going to include the picot edging?
Comment from kerri
Time: January 10, 2007, 1:59 am
I used to long for curly hair - tried everything. even sleeping on those pink foam curlers. it was torture
Comment from LizKnits
Time: January 10, 2007, 2:33 am
Love that rag look… very fetching!
Comment from Kelly
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:44 am
I can remember doing my hair like that, only I had bought these tie things (in the late 80’s, maybe?). They had this foam piece in them. I wanted them to work so badly and I ended up with a frizzy mess everytime! I must have been putting them in wrong, I never got cute ringlets. BTW, you look darling with the rags in your hair, too!
Love the pendant, I’m going to look it up. I just need a knitting themed one!
Comment from Desir
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:49 am
I’d offer to test knit your (very lovely) sweater, but I’ve had about all I can take of ribbing right now. Love both of the necklaces!
=)
Comment from Lesa
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:50 am
Yeah, back to school goodness. Wish I could muster some. I feel like I have been in school forever! Must be something to do with taking the time to actually raise my kids while in school. Oh well.
I am only taking one class now, the History of the English Language. Pretty dull actually.
Comment from Lesa
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:52 am
Did my last comment get lost in the eather somewhere? Oh well. Good for you and the back to school goodness. I don’t have it myself. sigh.
Comment from Aaron B
Time: January 10, 2007, 4:16 am
:) I love your hair in that picture! I’ve still to knit those gloves for my friend, but I found the best yarn for it when I decided to knit a “shrug” for her. Good luck at school!
Comment from natalie
Time: January 10, 2007, 4:25 am
Those curls are awesome. :)
Comment from Ariel
Time: January 10, 2007, 6:17 am
I remember reading about curling hair like that in the “Little House” books and I always wondered about it. I never actually tried it though!
Comment from Ragga Lizard
Time: January 10, 2007, 6:44 am
holy crap. i gotta try the rags now. it’s so cute on you! hahaha, i’m so gonna ruin it now. crap hair this one. any special tricks to it?
Comment from Karma
Time: January 10, 2007, 7:18 am
My mom used to do rag curls for me when I was little. And I’m not exactly vintage yet! :) Your photos are lovely and I agree with the others that your jewelry is very interesting, unique and beautiful!
Comment from Anna
Time: January 10, 2007, 8:19 am
Nice to have you back in blogland after a week of family stuff and preparations for school! Love your necklaces!
Comment from knittingajour
Time: January 10, 2007, 8:34 am
Your Matilda cup is great! Just like your Hair Picture, good idea to do that again. Groeten uit Nederland.
Comment from SueK
Time: January 10, 2007, 10:28 am
Love the hair! Have you thought @ using feature rags and actually having that as yr “do”? Cos it looks cute and funky like that - you could start a whole new look!
Keep up the good work (and work habits!) x
Comment from Elisabeth
Time: January 10, 2007, 10:40 am
love the hair! my mom did mine like that once… though I had longer hair then… *sniff* those were the days :)
I would love to testknit SnowWhite, but that would definitely depend on how long time I would have for it ;)
Elisabeth
Comment from violetsrose
Time: January 10, 2007, 11:19 am
I LOVE that necklace *runs off to get one for herself*
and my Mum used to do my hair with rags like that when I was little!!
Comment from Sara
Time: January 10, 2007, 1:12 pm
Hi there, I’d also be glad to test knit your Snow White, its realy nice. Im not sure if its too late at this stage, if you have enough people? If not, then let me know.
I used to have to sleep with rags in my hair as a child and its not comfortable! well done for doing it, the end result is very nice
Comment from Ting
Time: January 10, 2007, 1:23 pm
I’d love to be a student again - I’d go to more lectures, do my reading on time, spend less money drinking coffee and smoking… - no actually, i’d do the same things all over again. Sigh, happy days! Best of luck with your paper!
Ting
p.s. the cabled beret you made is fantastic! Could you tell me how you did it?
Comment from Pigwotknits
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:25 pm
When My Naughty Little Sister was Good! I loved that book!
Suits you.
Comment from whitney
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:50 pm
Wow, I’d never heard of curling one’s hair with rags before! Looks neat. And I’m dying to know how you did your hair for the Snow White pictures…I’m looking forward to that post!
Comment from Sharon
Time: January 10, 2007, 3:50 pm
My hair never turned out that well when I used to rag it!
Comment from Erin
Time: January 10, 2007, 4:36 pm
Just stumbled across your blog. If I was more comfortable with assembling sweaters, I’d definately consider test-knitting it. I can’t wait until the pattern is available!
Also, the rag curls and necklace are awesome.
Comment from Shannon
Time: January 10, 2007, 4:41 pm
love, love, LOVE the rag curl!! I also have the sadly fine hair–I’d be so grateful if you posted how to tie up the rags! And good luck with school!
Comment from loribird
Time: January 10, 2007, 5:39 pm
Love the rag curls - I used to pincurl my hair when I was younger, and, oh, the pain of sleeping on those things! But it was the only way to put any curl into my stick-straight hair…
Snow White is a great pattern - I’m always so inspired watching what you design!
Comment from Jane in Camden
Time: January 10, 2007, 5:42 pm
Oooh, another Chalet School fan! The rags, however, remind me of ‘What Katy Did’. Wasn’t it Elsie who had poker straight hair, and who had to have it so tightly wound that the only way she could sleep would be to stuff her face into the pillow?
~x~
Comment from Martin L
Time: January 10, 2007, 6:01 pm
I still love the Snow White raglan! With some modifications, I think it would look nice in a “boys” version too. Will the pattern be free or will it end up in your shop?
Comment from Juno
Time: January 10, 2007, 7:59 pm
How I loved to put my hair in rollers when I was 9 or so. I t looks like we have about the same hair, so the curl all fell out in five minutes - didn’t know about setting lotion then.
I have button bands - I’ve been hiding from them, had a confusion about the directions and was not feeling emotionally competent to learn in the Thanksgiving to Hogmanay period, but sorted now, under way and moving fast.
I am the worst test knitter ever, sans doubt and I do apologize. But I am ready to give any and all feedback I think.
Cheers and Happy New Year.
Comment from PeachesnCream
Time: January 10, 2007, 8:06 pm
I, also, love your blog. I think that you are too cute, love the hair. I don’t know too much about you, but a dissertation is written for PhD, a thesis is written for and undergraduate or graduate degree. If you are finishing a PhD at 21 I am almost as impressed with your scholastic achievements as I am with your crafty abilities!
Comment from Natalie
Time: January 10, 2007, 11:32 pm
I wear a large and would flourish under the time-limit pressure of test knitting. I will keep my eye out to be the first to volunteer to knit the largest size.
On another note, I have been out of school for over 6 years, and the thing I miss most is that New Term feeling, when all the note-taking is neat and all of the homework is done on time. Buying new pens and notebooks is by far the best part, though…
Comment from Kristen
Time: January 11, 2007, 5:52 am
Is there a possibility that people could still sign up to test knit Snow White? I absolutely adore your sweater, and you posted pictures of it quite literally days after I was trying to figure out how to make something very similar.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Comment from Susannah
Time: January 11, 2007, 7:36 am
I love the hair. I never got the hang of ragging even though I tried for most of my childhood. I have the same thin, straight hair and am in desperate need of a new hairstyle so maybe I’ll give it a go. Should I start googling or shall I wait for the next great hair tutorial :)
Can you give me a bit of an idea of the type and amount of yarn you used for Snow White. I’ve found some lovely stuff on sale and am hoping it’ll work for this top (don’t worry I knot it’ll be a while before the pattern comes out, though I’ll try and snag a test spot).
Good luck with the start of school. I’ve only just finished and am pretty thrilled it’s over.
Comment from Becky
Time: January 12, 2007, 6:11 pm
Wow i love the hair. You see when i do that and wear it at school i just get looks like im crazy, but there you go!
Lovin snow white vvv much, but i wont offer to be a test knitter cos im so slow.
Good luck with school!
Comment from evelyn
Time: January 13, 2007, 9:41 pm
so jealous of your matilda mug! that is easily my favorite book of all time (i even have her tattooed on my back)
Comment from Sandra
Time: February 12, 2007, 8:03 pm
Your website is awesome, I found myself reading through most all of it. Your also extremely talented! Love your stuff. Not to mention you are absolutely Gorgous. Love the hairstyle info. Very nice to see you have added so much to your site.
Sandra
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