Thursday, July 23, 2009

Lace!

Today is all about lace. But first, thank you all so much for the feedback on the questionnaire. It's still in the last post, and I won't be putting it up until at least tomorrow, so please feel free to continue to comment. I've read everyone's suggestions, and written back to everyone for whom I have an email address. I'll be incorporating almost everything, one way or another, so thank you!

I think I mentioned that while in Scotland, I saw the potential for lace everywhere. I wish I were better at conceptualizing how to turn an image of lines and spaces into actual lace knitting, but, figuring that the only way to do it is to try, I took lots of pictures so I have some images to work from, and once things settle back down this summer, I'm hoping to have time to play. Play has been sadly lacking lately, and this seems like a good inspiration.

Lace carved in wood:
In stone:
In archways:
(That last one is the abbey on Iona.)

There was texture, too.
All kinds of shapes available for inspiration.
And, of course, there are the beautiful lace patterns available here at home.
That there is a Twinings scarf; I used three pattern repeats in the body, plus the edging.
(The pink above is much truer to the actual color.)

It's knitted out of Briar Rose yarn (Chris, it's SeaPearl, isn't it?) for Sock Summit, so if you're going to be there, you should definitely come and pet this one -- it is absolutely gorgeous, and so silky, it drapes beautifully.
I need to get a modelling shot, so you can really appreciate what a gorgeous bit of lace this is; maybe I can get Chris to model it for me at Sock Summit.

Meanwhile, other knitting continues. I got the latest of the Rockin' Sock Club shipments and cast on immediately. This is such a cheerful yarn; Tina says she was thinking of heirloom tomatoes when she dyed it up, and I can see all of the colors of my favorites in there.
Some folks also think it looks like chile peppers; I can see that, too.
This package also came with a sticker; a little swapping ensued, and I ended up with the one I liked best.
If only you knew how true this is. (We can't be the only family out there who constantly finds interesting dead things on the beach, can we? Can you say, dead octopus?)

14 comments:

Helen said...

I love the sticker :) I've saved it for my desktop when I get tired of Spinning Fishwife's cats.

I'm looking forward to seeing your Scottish-inspired lace.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

The scarf is lovely, and that sticker rocks! My papa grew up in Nova Scotia and you wouldn't believe all the things he's told us he's found on the beach... or maybe you would, be that you love by the ocean too

Heather said...

Wow, what a neat post. I bet that it is amazing to look around and to find so many lace motifs in everyday life.

Rachel said...

Lovely twinings, very much my color! and the lace ideas everywhere look promising.

ruthee... said...

What a *great* post. I have never thought about lace-like patternings in the world around us. Thank you so much for expanding my mind's eye!

The scarf - amazing. I am really falling in love that that designer's patterns.

Bea said...

Love the lacy buildings. Really love that scarf. Absolutely gorgeous. This might be a pattern I have to acquire. I can't see the peppers in the new yarn but I do see the tomatos. No you aren't the only family that pokes dead things on the beach. Well I do it too anyway and Chris just shakes his head and rolls his eyes at me.

Nana Sadie said...

Ohhh!!! I love your lace inspirations!! Cannot wait to see how you play with them.
The new STR is gorgeous. Yummy (well, like tomatoes and hot peppers are yummy!)

And Twinnings - I get to SEE it and TOUCH it - OMG - less than 2 weeks from now! SQUEE!!!
(((hugs)))

Mary Lou said...

I do poke dead things with a stick, we just don't have a beach handy. Nice scarf and I look forward to petting it!

AlisonH said...

Such inspirations! Cool!

marit said...

I can easily see that stonewindow-#2-converted into a sock heel and -toe...although I'd use a twisted stitch to get that effect rather than lace.
The lace is beautiful too.

twinsetellen said...

I can't wait to see Twinings (and you) in person in August!

Alwen said...

Our dead things are mostly alewives, being that the big lake is fresh water.

So many modern things are just functional and not beautiful. It's lovely to see when the functional IS beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I love the lacy buildings! I tend to see cables in things like that, but I can totally see the lace, as well.

Gorgeous scarf!

EGunn said...

I love finding lace in architecture! I have a whole collection of photos that I've been meaning to turn into lace. And I seem to have caught the stitch pattern designing bug lately. Maybe this summer will be a summer of lace...