Wednesday, May 17, 2006

All things old

I have been to car repair shop lately more often than to my LYS. I'm driving an outdated big car. My daughters complain that I have the MOST oldfashioned car ... nobody drives that kind of a vehicle except their mother any more... But what can I say? I love (more than like chocolate ice cream) my car. I would not know myself if I was behind of a modern engine. My car's engine makes this funny knocking noise that I have grown to like. It is nothing serious I have been told, the noise is there because she is an old car. Yesterday when I picked it from the repair shop I was happy that the run was no more like wobbling along. My car travels in a reasonable speed - I think - but there are so many wanting to overtake these days... Even in the speed limit 80 km/h areas and I think this is because of the sight of this car. Nobody wants to be near to her not to talk about being behind of her. I try not to let it have any effect on my selfesteem. And really - me, my clothing, my hair cut, my shoes, my backpack, my Miina and my car, there is nothing to break this harmony.

Why did I bring this up? Maybe because the knitting content is very limited.

Then one other thing. In some warm climates people cut their afternoons and go to have a siesta. I have been told that it is napping time - don't know about that but I would like to introduce a kind of like the opposite of siesta to our nights. The sun shines brightly already at three in the morning and I wake and would love to get up but can't because everyone else is asleep. After being awake for a time appropriate for siesta, two hours at the most three, I'm ready to go to sleep again and would like to sleep until nine. But this either can't happen because the rest of this corner of the world are up and so should I also. I have to get used to this amount of light again. I'm not complaining, I do love this light.

For the month of May Knit the Classics KAL has chosen a book by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejustice. I have read few times how Mr Darcy and Elisabeth are both taught a lesson before they are allowed to have each other but what to knit that is inspired by the book. Elisabeth has four sisters. All different from each other. So what does a sock knitter do? Well, she knits socks for the Bennett sisters of course. I have completed a pair for Jane, the eldest. Jane's socks are white because Jane is the innocent one and the one who always wants to believe only good things of others. Also because it is difficult for her to express her feelings. Jane's socks are Embossed Leaves Socks by Mona Schmidt from IK. They are knit with Regia Cotton (I do love this yarn) with 2 mm needles. I had to make few adjustments due to a different yarn than the pattern calls for but other than the amount of stitches I followed the pattern...which was very good because now I learnt a new toe, which without doubt will be my all time favorite. (I think it is called the star.)My plan was to make five different kind of socks for the different girls, all lacy because of the era and environment they are living in. But then, I could not help but to cast on for a similar pair with color blue. Because these socks are enjoyable to knit. They knit up quickly, the pattern is entertaining. I think these socks are for Mary. She is the one who is always reading books and who I would think does not care so much what she is wearing. Same yarn, same pattern, same needle size. Could be little boring, little like Mary maybe.

I try to answer few questions of twined knitting. If I spin yarn for twined knitting I spin singles as s and then ply them with z. If you look at the right upper corner of the picture and then look at your yarn you are able to tell whether your yarn is s or z spun. You can almost see these letters in the yarns. Look at the twist. Almost all wool yarns today are s-plied. In the old days when you were weaving and you wanted to have very even plain weave you would use z-spin yarn for warp and s-spun yarn for weft.

I have tried with one simple pattern two colors in twined knitting and it works out just fine. I don't know if there are video demos online. This technique is not very widely spread, it is very old way of knitting from Scandinavia and it is very slow. Now that I think of it, old and slow. Like the car, so is the knitting. (Should I add: like me.)

PS. Month of May is a busy month. This might affect my posting schedule...

26 comments:

  1. Don't give in to your daughters ..my Mum can't drive but if she had a car she'd only suit a very old 1930's type .You could one day knit for the girls in "Little Women" ..wonderful characters.We don't like English literature much as it is mostly about the upper classes or at least it was .Life in Finland would fascinate us if you know of any female authors who might be translated please post on my blog.Holly ( angie @ alltheway with knitting's daughter ).

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  2. AND MAry is a Bluestocking (in English slang, here's a link: http://www.basbleu.com/stores/1/What_s_A_Bluestocking__W9C9.cfm?UserID=1662939&jsessionid=5e3029fddbaeV$AB$E6$ )

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  3. Anonymous17:26

    I think twined knitting is described in "Traditional Scandinavian Knitting" by Sheila McGregor, if no info is to be found online. I look forward to see your project, I'm getting a bit interested in trying it out. The summer is so short that it's about time to plan something thick and warm for next winter ;-)

    The leaf socks are beautiful!

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  4. One of my favorite books is Pride and Prejudice. I love the idea of stockings for all 5 girls. Jane's white is very appropriate, as is Mary's blue.

    I remember the 3 am sun when I was in Norway. I would get up for some coffee, look over the water a bit, and then head back to bed for some more sleep until breakfast. I miss fresh fish for breakfast...

    Can't wait to see the finished projects.

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  5. Your socks are so beautiful and perfect for Jane. I love the book so much (especially the first line, which I find very funny).

    The socks are my next pair to knit, and I may use some camel yarn to make them.

    Wish I could see the sun at 3am.

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  6. Anonymous18:31

    Beautiful patterns, beautiful socks!

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  7. What a splendid idea! Five pairs of socks for five memorable sisters! You chose very well for Jane, I think. White lace socks, definitely! As for Mary, I think she might complain very loudly that hers are too fancy, but she would wear them all the time, and get angry if you caught her admiring the lovely pattern when she thought nobody was looking. ;-)

    I'm very excited to see what you come up with for the other sisters. Especially Elizabeth.

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  8. Anonymous18:38

    I've just discovered this blog and I'm really enjoying it; thank-you. I totally understand what you mean about old cars. Our ancient campervan is just going to the garage for lots of work, and my teenage boys tut and frown over the embarrassment of being driven in it. I'm so fond of it though. Love jane's socks. Can't wait to see what you choose for Elizabeth and Lydia.

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  9. Those socks are so lovely! I'm doing my first lace work on a dishcloth now. Some day I'd like to use those pretty patterns in clothing too.

    I love the cat in your drawing. She pretends to be asleep, but as soon as some stray roving or some newly spun yarn comes too close you need to battle her to get it back!

    My cat likes to lie on my pattern directions so she can be next to me on the couch.

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  10. Cars - all I ask is that it be an automatic gear shift! I drove standard for 30+ years, but now I like to not have to shift gears! Maybe I am old and slow too!
    I got a variegated green yarn yesterday to start the Embossed Leaf socks! Glad to hear they are a fun knit. I love them in the creamy white, but being a big fan of blue, I like those too!
    I have a pair of socks in mind from the book Socks, Socks, Socks, that is, in appearance, Fair Isle. They will be on the needles as soon as I find some natural black, grey and cream! Summer is for knitting socks, winter is for wearing socks.
    I love the fact that the Finnish word for 'purr' and 'spin' seem to be the same. Is that because of the sound of the wheel?!

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  11. Anonymous19:17

    oh lene, those socks are gorgeous!!
    i know what you mean about the morning time "awake siesta" i, too, am waking up very early each day, and then ready to go back to sleep by 9 o'clock . . .

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  12. So much in your blog to comment on today! Your old car is just fine. We have two old cars, one of which belonged to my deceased mother in law. We call it the Grandma Car, not out of fondness but because it seems that all the old people in our town have similar cars--same color also. the car is uncomfortable, does not run well and is huge.
    Your socks for the Bennet girls are fabulous!! What will Elizabeth have? And Mr. Darcy??? What does he wear??

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  13. I love the socks you knit for Jane and Mary! What will Lydia have? Something in shocking pink or scarlet?

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  14. I've seen that sock pattern many times, but I've never seen it look this good. I think you picked an excellent yarn for it.

    I love Jane Austen. Too lazy to join the KAL at the moment, though... but I like the idea.

    Lene, on another subject, if you get a chance and are interested, can you drop me an e-mail at eulalia[at]ucsd[dot]edu regarding your artwork and writing? I publish a literary journal, and your work really appeals to me... would be interested in discussing publishing some of it.

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  15. Anonymous22:12

    You may Dance with Wool but you also Dance with Words! or should I say Waltz, It is so beautiful. I love to visit your Blog.
    I am here today to find your recipe for Pulla. I am making them now and the lump of dough is rising. Needed your picture for the cutting and twisting part. Found it and will be twisting & knotting soon. Excited to taste the finished product! Thank you.
    May I suggest that you put a link to the recipe in your sidebar for others to enjoy.

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  16. Anonymous23:40

    Kirsten Lavransdatter - is that a Finland book? Read it long ago and it was marvelous. Same as your socks.

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  17. Anonymous00:20

    Beautiful socks for sweet Jane! I love the leafy pattern and toe shaping.

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  18. very lovely pattern for the socks, and so appropriate.

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  19. I kehrätä when I saw your socks - so perfect for soft and sweet Jane. Lizzy will be much harder, she has many sides to her personality. What socks would Mr. Darcy wear I wonder? Thank you for the Z vs S information.

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  20. You got me all excited about twined knitting! I tried it, loved it, and now am thinking of possible uses. Thank you for the info!

    What a nice idea to knit for the girls, and socks, of all things! I love the white ones, they're very Jane ;) I got a bit of a similar idea myself, so thanks for the inspiration, again! I like your blog a lot, and read it often :)

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  21. I just love those socks! And they are perfect in blue too.

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  22. The socks are beautiful. I'm adding that pattern to the list of things I'd like to knit. Very nice.

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  23. Anonymous05:04

    I love the socks. I'd like to know how to do the star toe. Thanks for being such a good writer. Your posts and your thoughts never fail to take me on a little journey where the destination is always a lovely surprise.

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  24. I really like the idea of the socks for the Bennett sisters. What will you do for Lizzy though? Something with hidden beauty, strength and a sharp tongue?

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  25. The next time I spin for a project, I'm going to try your tip of different twist for warp & weft. If I can get around to it in less than a year, I'll let you know if it really works!

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  26. Anonymous17:47

    Gorgeous socks! I love this pattern. I have seen something similar - or is it this same pattern? - in Interweave Knits, which I mean to try once I wrap up another project or two...

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