Knit and Natter - Twiddle Muffs and collaborative projects

I never set out for this to be a regular post and since my last one was over a year ago, that proves the point! However, once I started a blog theme of 'Knit and Natter' I got into a flow. I have a number of half written posts and as many ideas that never quite got here, yet. And they can wait their turn because today I am buzzing with excitement and I thought I would finally catch up....

One of the reasons for lack of posts is that I have been busy doing other things, such as setting up a Knit and Natter group in the village with a friend. We started by meeting monthly and was soon asked to increase to two meetings a month. Some people knit or crochet while others do tapestry and stitching. It's a small friendly group that is growing in enthusiasm and ideas, and last year a few of us came together to knit 'Twiddle Muffs'.  Also known as Fiddle Mitts, these are helpful in reducing agitation in people who have dementia, by stimulating activity and providing occupation for fidgety hands.

So far I have taken 30 Twiddle Muffs to 'Age Concern' where they were enthusiastically and gratefully received. We continue to knit more for this is a worthy cause as they are also needed by hospitals and care homes. It is a fun way to use up oddments of wool and other bits that we collect and we can let creativity flow! 

At todays meeting I suggested another collaborative project: something bigger and more involved this time. It was inspired by a wall hanging that I saw at the recent Stitching, Sewing and HobbyCraft Show at Excel.

Designer, Lisa Hellier, created this amazing hanging with a team of willing helpers. Each piece is individually made and sewn on.  
This eclectic style will suit our own Knit and Natter group as we 
have a wide range of skills between us including: weaving, spinning, felting, patchwork, quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and more.

First though comes the research and gathering of ideas. I suggested a hanging for the village hall and already a list started to form: buildings that no longer stand, such as the windmill, the village shop and brickworks, and the original school whose bell still provides a clue next to the chimney of what is now a house. There will be lots more knit and nattering over the coming months, so I'll let you know how this project develops. If you get a chance to see Lisa Hellier's hanging while it is on tour, do take time to look at all the detail. It is amazing!

Meanwhile, as if by telepathy, a blog friend, Sian, left a comment on my previous post and told me about a lady who combines her love of knitting and sound. Intrigued, I checked this out and was excited to discover that the artist in question, Felicity Ford has written a pattern book. She was inspired by buildings and objects found in her locality and this added even more to my ideas for a collaborative wall art. Isn't it wonderful when everything comes together!!  
Thanks for popping by!   

KNIT AND NATTER - FAIR ISLE

I am easing myself gently into the new year. Computer problems continue, it turns out to be the motherboard so more serious than we'd hoped. Luckily my son was able to remove the hard drive and to back everything up onto an external drive. Phew!!  Apart from the relief of knowing everything is safe it also means my photos are  accessible again. So much has been on hold or compromised these past months. A new computer has been ordered and should be delivered tomorrow.I hope my computer problems will be left in the past.

So while I could leap in with posts I'd planned, a cold is leaving me muzzy headed and no energy. One of the things I needed my photos and computer for was a Photobox book. I took over 4,000 photos when I was in the Shetland Isles and decided this was the best way to show them. I mention this for a reason. Because among my collection of photos are lots to do with knitting. Interestingly the idea of 'Knit and Natter' posts started without a plan. I joined a local group of ladies in order to get out and meet new people and it coincided with me being given some vintage knitting patterns. The idea of a post was born but I didn't forsee this developing into series of posts. Especially when I was in Shetland, the home of Fair Isle knitting. Luckily then that I took photos!

When my friend suggested a visit to Fair Isle, saying there is little there, I agreed because the idea of flying to this small island for afew days sounded appealing. It turned out to be one of my highlights and a magical experience. 

During our stay we visited the home and studio of Hollie Shaw.  

Originally from Kent, Hollie moved to Fair Isle with her husband in 1999 as wardens of the Bird Observatory. As well as being an international centre for bird observation it also runs as a guesthouse, and this is where we stayed. The building and land it stands on is run by  a charity, but the rest of the island and 
properties are owned by the  National Trust for Scotland. They ask a peppercorn because making a living is hard in such an exposed climate and a resident population of about 60. The internet has proved a life line, because now Hollie has an online shop as well as selling her knitware to cruise ships that occasionally visit the island.  All her wool comes from her own and island sheep and much thought is given to using local resources such as dying and spinning. 

Fair Isle is a traditional style of knitting, handed down through generations. Hollie has learnt the skill from another islander and each person develops their own patterns, unique to them. I was initially disappointed to learn that Hollie, with others who knit commercially, uses a machine. But let's be real here, these patterns are complex and time consuming to knit by hand. If a true cost was put on time and skill, who would pay for that? There might be an elite niche at top end markets but these are few and far between, and nearly all islanders hold down several jobs to earn a living.

But don't be mistaken. Machine knitting is a skill in itself because Hollie creates her own designs, so she then has to transfer these onto a paper pattern. She has to think about colour change and matching, tension, pattern repeat. No. My initial disappointment of using knitting machines changed into admiration and respect. 

The view from Hollie's studio window.

 

As idealic as it looks, island life isn't easy. But everyone we met and spoke to loves it there. And I can see why. Extreme weather apart. When 2 crofts became available for rent the National Trust for Scotland were inundated by enquiries. The newspaper article tells how American's were among those who wanted to move to Fair Isle. And we got to meet one of them, Tommy Hyndman. See his Fair Isle hat? This one was hand knitted by one of the islanders. He told us he has a large collection.



This photo was taken at the top of the lighthouse. Ruth and I were lucky enough to be given access and a private tour by Tommy. The views were spectacular. He told us the scene can look much more dramatic and about a video he made where he had played golf during a storm.

We learnt that last winter extreme weather meant supplies could not reach Fair Isle for 6 weeks. Luckily islanders are resourceful and used to unpredictability. They keep stocks of food, for such times. 
It seems a world a part from my cosy life. 

And in his own home Tommy has his own artist studio and has created some beautiful touches using Fair Isle knitting.

It is lovely to see tradition crafts being used in so many different ways. Anyone who watched the recent tv series about Scottish islands may have seen Tommy. He is quite a character! Like all the islanders he made us very welcome. One day I hope to go back. 
 
I promised posts about my trip to the Shetlands and now that my computer promblems are nearly sorted more will be on the way. I look forward to armchair travel and sharing more memories.  I hope you will join me, thanks for popping by!

KNIT AND NATTER - GAY DOGS AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Among the vintage patterns I was recently given were some that triggered memories such as the knitted swimsuits, and thoughts of knitted tea cosies, fashion trends, and socks.    

But this pattern made me chuckle and think of my blog friend Julie Kirk at notesonpaper. Not because she has a gay dog, or any dog for that matter (she is more into zebra's!) but because she has a great sense of humour and I'm sure this pattern would have made her smile. 

And it also made me think of about how the use of words has changed because in a former life I was Brown Owl and one of the Brownies favourite songs was about a kokaburra.  Do you know it?
This was the version in our song book:

Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree
Merry, merry king of the bush is he
Sing Kookaburra, sing Kookaburra 
Gay your life must be. 

I've sometimes wondered whether the words have been changed now that 'gay' has taken on new meaning. I thought I would check on Google. I found an Australian version of the song and discovered this has a different last line: 'sing your song for me'. I wonder if this is the original or when change happened?  What ever the case if you watch the video be warned, it is a catchy tune and might have you singing along or it playing in your head all day!

It also got me thinking about meaning of other words that have changed over time, and at this time of year a phrase you often hear associated with Christmas is:'naughty or nice'. It is the title of a film where Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) keeps a book listing whether the children have been good or bad. Something that has recently been introduced into UK from America is the idea of Elf on the Shelf.  This character moves into the home on 1st December to watch if children are 'naughty or nice' and to report back to Father Christmas. And you can find out which list you are on because I found a list of questions which will give the answer...  don't let on! There is time enough to put things right unless you have been extremely naughty, and you might want to complete it yourself. I did, and apparently my halo is slightly wonky but I am on the nice list. If I tidy my bedroom my halo might straighten!

'Naughty but nice' is also something you might think or hear this time of year. It means something indulgent, that we like but shouldn't have too much of. Christmas pudding or sherry trifle with lashings of cream, for example.  

I started by saying how over time some words have changed meaning. Well, naughty is a word we use to describe something bad. But did you know that once upon a time it meant that you had naught or nothing? 

And nice, a word that we use to describe something we like?  This once meant 'silly, simple or foolish'. Nothing like how we use it today!

I was going to say that the gay dog looks nice in his crocheted jacket, but perhaps I won't. I might go on the naughty list and get naught in my stocking! And if my stocking is knitted it would have started with a clue (or clew) because this word once meant a ball of yarn! If you want to find other words that have changed meaning I found an interesting list and Ted video. 

But right now, I have nattered enough and it is time to tangle with tinsel and put the wool down. Which reminds me? Did you see Kirsty Alsopp's Handmade Christmas this week on Channel 4? I was pleased to see the winning Christmas tree was decorated by hand crocheted baubles and garlands - beautiful!!
If you want to crochet decorations for your own tree I found some patterns and here is another for a knitted Christmas bauble.
I hope your own Christmas plans are taking shape and would love to hear about your own handmade Christmas, or thoughts on how meanings or words have changed.  Thanks for popping by, see I'll be back tomorrow with this months 5in5.

KNIT AND NATTER - A VICAR AND TEA COSIES

Do you ever watch Gogglebox? I confess it is one of my favourite programmes because like Kate Bottley, the vicar who appears regularly, I enjoy relaxing in front of the tv. Apparently she also enjoys a cup of tea while she watches and she never appears in the programme without her teapot on the coffee table.

A sudden thought. Why is it called a coffee table?  We British are known for our tea aren't we?!

Anyway, I digress!  The reason the teapot catches attention is that it always wears a tea cosie. There are ones shaped like elephants, pineapples and a rabbit. Even one that looks like Kate herself! So now, as well as enjoying the programme, I enjoy looking out for the latest tea cosie because they make me smile.
And because I wondered about the story behind these tea cosies I did a Google search. It seems others who watch this programme also noticed Kate's teapot and they started to knit and send in tea cosies.  Here's a link that will tell you a bit more if you are interested. 

Kate and her husband also have a greyhound dog called Buster. If you watch the programme you will know he spend a lot of his time laying on his back in an uncompromising position!  There will be more about dogs in my next Knit and Natter.  Yes, the vintage patterns that I was given have sparked so many memories and thoughts!  

Comments left on previous posts made me smile. It seems I'm not the only one to have family stories about knitted swimwear!  Thank you for sharing and if you have any about vicars or tea cosies I'd love to hear those too!  

And suddenly another memory is triggered! I have my own story about a vicar and swimwear! So before I go I'll quickly tell you about the time a friend went into the sea.  She'd gone with her church on a day trip and there was some refined elderly ladies among the group and the vicar, of course. When she finished her swim she started to walk towards the beach. The vicar and others were gathered on the waters edge when suddenly D realised that one of her boobs was missing! What can a girl do but laugh! D has a wicked sense of humour and so she laughed hysterically, because she makes no qualms about being a breast cancer survivor and wearing a false boob. Inplants were't the thing, back then, and this didn't phase D. Infact I think she delights in having stories like this to tell! 

KNIT AND NATTER - PUTTING MY FOOT IN IT

Recently an online friend posted a photo of an old book she had bought. My heart became all of a flutter, because book+old+interesting = LOVE!!!  Then my flutter grew, because she went on to tell how she had bought this for a friend, and added:

'This one is for you, Sandie!' 

Well, what's a girl to think?  But it seems I got it all wrong because my exuberant thanks was met with a rather embarrassed apology.  It seems the book was meant for another friend, and what she meant by her words is that this book would appeal to me too! 

I felt equally embarrassed and fortunately we are both adult enough to laugh about the situation and let it pass. I've learnt from it too of course. Rather than get over excited, another time I will check out the meaning rather than assume my interpretation. And I was glad that we handled it in the way that we did. I could easily have been overcome with shame or vulnerability and removed my FaceBook comment in haste, before others saw it. Because some people

can be unkind or insensitive.  But not in that closed group, where  others came in to share their own fopas and said how easy it is to read into things, especially when written as a text or comment. 

And yesterday another friend posted a link where stories showed that others are human too.  See here

It's good to know I'm not the only one to put my foot in it. Which brings me nicely to this:

 

 

 

My blog friend Sian, over at 'From High in the Sky' is a knitter of socks. I immediately thought of her when I saw this pattern book and I admire her half handkerchief heels and wedge toes even I don't understand how to do these. And in response to my recent 'My Month in Numbers' post, where I mentioned my love of numbers and sequences, Sian commented that she has a socks pattern to knit stripes in a Fibonacci sequence? How about that?!  I can't wait to see them!  Meanwhile, I know how much Sian loves vintage knitting patterns, so:

Sian. This one is for you!

No, really!  Happy mail will be in the post and you do not need to check this out. You read it right!

 

.........

If YOU have a sock story, or one about when you have put your foot in it, please do leave a comment and share. I’d love to hear more!

And if you think someone else will enjoy reading this post please feel free to share this too. It’s good to see a humorous side to life!

Just to clarify, 'putting your foot in it' is a saying here in Britain that means you've said something amiss, misunderstood, or made a fopa.

 

 

 

POSTSCRIPT: This morning Blogger is playing up. It won’t allow me to edit and set out the post as I choose, so apologies for the poor presentation. I will come back later and hope that the glitches are sorted so that I can put this right. Some days technology just seems intent on making life difficult!

 

KNIT AND NATTER - VINTAGE PATTERNS AND FASHION TRENDS

Last week I was given a pile of vintage knitting patterns and I wrote about how they triggered memories. 

And they also triggered questions like:

Did women really have such naturally small waists or did they wear girdles to create this hour-glass look?

And how would people react if a child went out today wearing this outfit?

Because remember the red and white outfit Prince George wore to his sisters christening earlier this year?  The one that was a near-copy to one his father once wore? Well, my daughter tells me that other mothers like to dress their children in retro clothes too. 

As a baby, Jools Oliver, wife of celebrity chef Jamie, had a hand-me-down embroidered nightie. Later, her own children wore this too and she was so inspired by the design and nostalgia that she designed her own range of retro children's clothes. 

But some mothers, I discovered, do not want copies made from modern fabrics. No. They seek original vintage and retro clothes and when I saw photos I instantly recognised some of the clothes that my own children wore. In fact I still have one or two in my wardrobe. You know, those ones that hold special memories?  They are carefully folded with the shawl that my nan knitted, the same nan who knitted those swimming trunks and bikini. 

I wish the dress that my nan crocheted was there too. It was peach colour, sleeveless and scoop necked. Under the bust line it was a shell pattern, with a  self colour lining.  There was just one problem. When I first wore the dress the weight of the yarn and the lacy design caused the skirt to drop. I seem to remember my nan undoing several rows of shells so that it hang level again with the lining. Sadly, I don't have a photo of this dress but it is funny how some clothes stay in your memory.   

In todays massed produced, throw away society, I wonder if the next generation will be able to say the same?

I wonder whether they will get excited by vintage patterns, as I do? 

But I am not alone in this. In fact there is a revival. And I'll be back soon to tell you how I know. 

If you missed my previous post about vintage knitting patterns you can find it here.  Have a good Sunday, what ever you are doing. I'll be back tomorrow with another post for my 30 Day Blogging Challenge.