Grandfather Thomas was a carpet weaver in Kidderminster, Worcestershire England before he sailed to Australia and became a dairy farmer. Grandmother Elizabeth knitted all manner of garments for her large family and others. Elizabeth would knit at night while waiting for the bread to prove. I didn't know her but my father's stories of her knitting have conjured pictures in my mind - just like memories. Grandma Catherine knitted me a chocolate jumper with a little doggie motif on the front. Much of her work survives as very vintage garments in my mother's collection and I love to look through it. Such fine work it is. Some of these garments are baby clothes and a shawl that she knitted for me to wear following my arrival into the world. Gentle Grandad Bertie sat and looked on at all this knitting activity, making cups of tea and caring about the welfare of the knitter he fondly called Nell. Nellie was part of her name - Catherine Charlotte Nellie.
Is it any wonder that I have woollen fibres running through my veins? I just love to knit. I cannot remember a time when I couldn't or didn't! Suffice it to say - I have a considerable yarn stash. The idea for this post came from a comment about a teacosy in a former post about Rosella Jam. I have knitted many teacosies in the past, and these two remain in use. The little matching stand is crocheted - I love to crochet too.
Very fine Musk Ox yarn was used to knit this scarf. It is a dream to wear, and soooooo warm. I bought one ball of the yarn (super-expensive) at a little shop at Lake Louise, Canada (that I should never have ventured into - but hey). A little went a very long way, it is so light.
These two have kept us warm for more than forty years! Hard to believe, the brown jumper travels everywhere with us on sojourns into cold places.
These days I prefer to craft dear little souls like Lucy, and clothes for my collection of 16inch dolls. (Goodness there is another idea for a blog further down the track) This little model for my handiwork is a Kader dolly, one of two in my collection.
Currently, I have two knitting projects I'm working on. Both are garments and both are for me!
I love these grape colours. Can't wait to finish this one to wear it. Haven't much to do but it all takes time, then there is the putting it together.
This is raw untreated wool that I bought in a skein. It is deserving of its own story and so it will have its own story, in my next post.
Happy knitting all you knitters out there.
You are very busy with all this knitting !!!!
The little knitted doll is so cute !!
Florence
Posted by: Florence SCHNEIDER | 10 June 2012 at 04:51 AM