Yesterday was the first day of the rest of your life. You're late getting started.
~ Jon Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle
Knitting Olympics Day 5
Day 5 represents a personal best in distance knitting over moguls! That's why Day 6--which was mostly spent lounging in the ski lodge, drinking cocoa, and trying to pick up cute speed skaters--saw only 1" added to the body. No photo; too distressing. Thankfully I'm allowed a second chance to make the finals....
I have been waiting for the English translation of Knitting Out of Africa by Marianne Isager for a long time, so I was really happy when Interweave Press published it last month. This book had a great reputation for interesting designs and techniques, and I have to say it delivers on both counts. No bulky speed knits here! I especially love the cover sweater. African textile traditions offer a wide field of inspiration. Isager uses entrelac, intarsia, stranded knitting, and double knitting (no, not all in a single sweater!) to great effect in her interpretations. The negative? I am always irritated when publishers feel that, just because the design inspiration comes from Africa or from urban sensibilities, the models have to be African or African-American. My background is Swedish/English/German/Irish and I grew up in Seattle in the 1950s in a very northern European environment. The de facto separation of races was the norm; when I see old photos or movies or magazines, I am struck by the lack of diversity shown. I can remember when the first African-American person moved into our neighborhood--when I was in high school! So I have greeted the changes in our society with joy--and I've appreciated the way Interweave Press has reflected these changes by using models of different colors and ages on their pages. Lace shawls are not just for Whistler's Mother; Aran sweaters are not just for freckle-faced young men. Assumptions such as these should be challenged. That's why I was stunned to see that Interweave had restyled all of the sweater photos to feature the same African-American model. It seems very cliche and a bit insulting.
Oh well. "At the next vacancy for God, if I am elected...." as the poem In Place of a Curse by John Ciardi begins...
Speed Knitter Hint
After reading Anj's description of cast-on problems that cost her valuable Knitting Olympics time, I offer a hint, which does not directly address any of her issues but might help one of you out someday: If you have carelessly begun your first row of knitting with the tail from your long-tail cast on rather than the knitting yarn (and I'd hate for you to know how often I have done this stupid trick), don't rip back--use our friend the spit-splice by breaking off the knitting yarn and splicing it with the end of the tail yarn. I challenge the judges to look closely at my sweater to see where I resorted to this time saver!
How did you KNOW I "carelessly began [my] first row of knitting with the tail from [my] long-tail cast on rather than the knitting yarn?" Spooky!
Posted by: Ryan | February 16, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Wow, you're really zooming along. It's looking gorgeous.
Posted by: Marina | February 16, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I haven't seen the original book (or this version, for that matter) - were there only white models in the original? Or a mix?
I hope the bookstore will be carrying it soon, I'd be glad to set eyes on something that doesn't emphasize fast knitting with bulky yarns!
Posted by: June | February 16, 2006 at 01:03 PM
Oh, don't we love the spit-splice!
Posted by: Anne | February 16, 2006 at 03:43 PM
Um, yeah, I think I just did that last week, and I ripped and restarted.
I just went to Lacis for the first time (surely you've been there, yes, for the looms & all?). It took a great deal of effort not to leave with a bunch of supplies and tools for things I don't even know how to do, like tatting and braiding.
Posted by: Becca | February 16, 2006 at 04:01 PM
a good spit splice will save your a** every time ;-)
Posted by: vanessa | February 16, 2006 at 06:44 PM
..I'm just thinking what an African-Amer. would feel seeing such a book... sorry I mean nothing by it and I understand your thought on this and agree with you many books/advertising/magazines do under-represent and are coming around, but please don't feel 'insulted' just marvel at the beautiful model- I can't wait to see the book! ...seriously though, I wish more books would show a mirage of races. That is why I like Debbie Bliss books esp. the children -they look like mine :)...when they were that little that is! Enjoy thanks for posting it I've been trying to 'keep off the books', but this one may have to show up in the shopping cart!
Posted by: PJ | February 16, 2006 at 06:47 PM
Hm so they changed the photos for the American edition. Sigh. I want to move to Europe.
My biggest reason for not getting the book, oddly enough, is I was afraid every design was going to be done in shades of brown. I don't wear brown. I don't knit brown. Maybe I'll get a peek at it in a shop and decide if I like it enough to recolor the designs.
Posted by: CarolineF | February 17, 2006 at 05:01 AM
thanks for the reminder about the split splice. I have been knitting with the tail when too long.. but not using the splice. GOOD idea.
Now I think the thing that caused the most rustration was the twist in the circular knitting. THAT had to be be ripped back.
Thought of you while knitting the fair isle hat this weekend. Hope you are doing well and finally REALLY mobile.
Posted by: anj | February 21, 2006 at 09:57 AM