We had a lovely, sunny, warm summer. It was followed
by mellow and glorious fall. But then, when November rolled around, it was like
a bag was pulled over one’s head, suddenly it was dark, wet, dreary, without any
sighting of sun.
I walked every day along the gray roads while the mist was
hovering over my head. I think I got wet every single day, even though it was
not raining.
But it all was and is bearable because of my
companions, the dogs. We share the everyday, the good and the bad. No matter
how sad the weather looks from inside the house, it is never that bad once I am
outside. With the appropriate clothing and company, all is well.
I crocheted this dog and had it mounted on a different
background, but it did not feel right. So, I detached it, crocheted the
background and then appliqued it again to another cloth and now I think it is
how it should be. This picture tells about our November walks.
It is not yet
finished, it needs few quilting stitches and then the binding, but I realized
that November is almost gone and soon the world will be white, and this picture
will not feel right any more. I will try to finish it soon and move on to
something else.
But what would you call this picture… It is not just
crochet, or freeform crochet, and it is not typical quilt either… woolwork?
Could it be woolart?
Piisku has kept me very, very busy. She is cute and
lovable, but oh! so full of mischief and teeth and she is not yet house trained.
She notices every single little thing, that I did not see and is very puppylike
in all her behavior. Piisku is the same as Ruusu, Swedish Vallhund.
I have also been trying to work out a knitted bear and
it has been quite difficult. I don’t know how many times I have worked the face
and tweaked the body, but I think I am quite happy with the look now.
I
combined brushed alpaca with fingering weight Finnwool and I truly love the
halo and the softness.
When I made the kittens, it was easy, probably because I
know cats, but bears are much more unfamiliar to me. Also, the bear in Finnish
mythology is a sacred being and one is not supposed to even say its name out
loud, so maybe I really have not dared to think through the appearance, as if I
was making one with eyes closed.
December is just around the corner and I thought that
I would post every day as an advent calendar, but I am sorry, I just cannot
commit to that this year, it would just be too much. You can blame the puppy,
but can you really…
she is so cute and I want to enjoy taking care of her
and spending all my extra time with her and Ruusu and Piki and of course, Väinö
too.
Hope you all are well and have plenty of time for
crafting!
Wool with you,
Lene
PS. Sorry for getting this so late, but there was a
question about the Texture Time Shawl. I knitted it exactly as written, did not
make any modifications, it is a huge shawl.
That art piece is just wonderful! Love the whimsy and the details are delightful.
ReplyDeleteThe dog piece is definitely woolart with various techniques, and it is wonderful. And the bears...adorable! Very bearlike The picture of the back of it looking out the window reminds me of the big blue bear at the Denver Convention Center outside looking in. All so well done. Piisku is growing! Still adorable.
ReplyDeleteannie
What a beautiful piece of woolart! Your creativity is an inspiration Lene!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Lene! I think woolart is the perfect description for that!
ReplyDeleteYour woolart is full of creativity and whimsy. Perfect. I think the bear came out just right too. Enjoy that puppy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting!
ReplyDeletePuppies are just this way! I adopted an older one (maybe 1.5 years old) in April and she is still wreaking havoc on our household. It's funny, challenging..lots of exercise, and definitely keeps me from doing as much knitting or spinning. You've accomplished so much, wow! Good luck with your beautiful new dog.
ReplyDeleteDear Lene,
ReplyDeleteWoolart is a nice word, but I think you don't give yourself enough credit. You are an original and gifted textile artist and virtually every piece you produce is a work of art - textile art. Can you try to think of yourself as an artist? Because that's what you are.
I entirely agree, your work is art. Call it wool art, call it textile art, call it folk art - It's ART!
ReplyDeleteHere in Toronto we have had very few sightings of the sun, so when it does come out it feels wonderful. I too walk the dog in all weather, and as you say, it's fine if you dress correctly for the weather. I love your woolart... so expressive. Anna in Toronto
ReplyDelete