So much has changed in the intervening years: I used to buy my wool from one of two craft shops in the v
illage but both closed a few years ago. I went into the nearest town and discovered there are no specialist shops left there, either. There is a limited range of knitting supplies in the only department store in the town but, having tracked that down, I realised that all the knitting needle sizes have changed and I couldn't work out what 2.75mm was 'in old money'. I settled for one of those kits for beginners, containing pattern, needles and yarn and I made this little set.
Then I became a bit more adventurous and knitted some scarves. Feeling more confident, I thought I might tackle a pretty matinee jacket for the grandbaby but I discovered that I had forgotten the jargon: yrn p2totbl
and sl1k2tog psso and the rest. I had to unpick and start over again seven times before getting this far.At last, though, I have finished! I sewed on the buttons a few minutes ago and I have decided that the matching mittens, blanket etc won't be needed. I shall be to be a modern granny instead and knit chunky sweaters in strong colours.
4 ply and size 2.75mm will be replaced with merino aran and 5mm. I can't wait to get started.
I have recently taken up my knitting needles after a huge gap and in order to get myself back into it, am knitting a very plain stocking stitch sweater. Once my confidence is back then I will try something more complicated. I did finish a huge Aran sweater years ago so I know I can do it!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying knitting again, Elaine, although all those lovely blogs like Cornflower make me feel rather inadequate. What has really surprised me is the fact that all the specialist shops have closed, is it the same in your area? I'm having to buy my supplies online.
ReplyDeleteI started knitting again when my grandaughter was born and have done bits and pieces ever since. You're right, all the knitting shops seem to have gone, the last one I knew about, in Minehead, Somerset, went about 18 months ago. Our town has a department store like yours (I even suspect it might be the same small chain) which has a decent wool department but it isn't the same somehow. The matinee jacket you knitted is lovely! The little aran jacket you plan to make is super too. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteAdorable little creations for the adorable little creature you are only weeks away from meeting for the first time. Becoming the stereotypical grandma came as a complete surprise to me and I love it.
ReplyDeleteThere are still some, actually only one within the reasonable driving distance of 25 miles or so, specialty shops featuring supplies for needle-ists, but most have morphed into craft stores with lots of prepackaged kits for beginners. Some of the large big box stores also have a selection of, mostly low-end, yarns and fabrics.
The art isn’t completely lost, my granddaughter aged ten learned to knit at an after school program and has become remarkably good at it. At a recent family gathering, she was sitting was the old (older even than I) granny and they were chatting and knitting up a storm.
I remember as a kid going to enormous fabric stores on Orchard and Delancey Streets in downtown New York City with my mother, a master of needle work of all kinds. If you’ve ever watched “Project Runway,” a TV show about dress designing, you will see the type of store I mean. Thousands of rolls of fabric and trims of every description. It’s truly a magical experience. It reminded me of the bazaars in the Arabian nights stories.
Alas, our Arabian bazaars are online now.
Cath, it would be funny if we have passed each other in the department store. Which bit of Devon do you inhabit? Perhaps we could organise a Devon Bloggers' Picnic in the summer?
ReplyDeletee, thank you for such an interesting comment. I think there is a growing interest in traditional crafts among young people. I suppose for my generation, home grown, home sewn and handknits were a necessity and abandoned as soon as people could afford to buy ready made items. Now it is becoming fashionable or even artistic to knit and sew.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of your Arabian bazaar type shops. One of the blogs I visit regularly (Cornflower - on the sidebar) had a fantastic picture of such a display of fabrics on one of her book reviews recently. Perhaps the new enthusiasm will bring such stores back?
The pictures of Orchard and Delancey Streets on your link remind me of parts of Manchester in the north of England. It sounds very exciting and romantic to have grown up in New York.
m. It only looks so in retrospect. At the time, I longed for the green countryside of my Jane & Dick Primers.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Tiverton, whereas I think you're up in North Devon aren't you? We lived in Barnstaple for 8 years so I know that area fairly well. I just wondered if the department store you mentioned was Banburys because we have one of those here too. A Devon bloggers picnic would be heaps of fun! Are there many of us then?
ReplyDeleteCath you are almost a next-door neighbour! I'm in Braunton. My virtual friendship with one other devon Blogger has developed into a real-life one and we have met up twice. If she is happy to join in a gathering, we could arrange one and each advertise it on our blogs and see who turns up. Let's give it some thought.
ReplyDeleteYou were right about Banbury's.
We used to have a Sirdar shop where I lived in London but that has long gone. There is, however, in Colchester a very old fashioned and shabby shop called Franklins which sells all things to do with sewing and knitting and I spent a very happy hour in there looking through knitting pattern books. I found going online to order wool totally bewildering as I have long forgotten all about tension etc. I had nearly finished the back of my sweater when I realised I had been following the wrong numbers inthe pattern and it was too small so I have now pulled it all out and started it again!
ReplyDeleteThat is so disheartening, isn't it Elaine? I've gone back to my 'learner' days, when my mother would help me go through a pattern before starting and circle every number relevant to the size I was knitting. Now of course I can do it with lovely coloured highlighters.
ReplyDeleteAh, you're in Braunton. I don't know why but I had you out on Hartland Point somewhere! Nice area where you are anyway. One of our favourite walks was at Croyde - the one out to Baggy Point from the National Trust car park. We did it again this summer, as a matter of fact, on a gorgeous day in September. It's a bit further to go from Tiverton but fine if you're out for a day.
ReplyDeleteOkay, we'll give it some thought then. The only other Devon blogger I know is moving to Scotland this year. But there must be others.
Cath, I've written several posts on Hartland Point, one of our favourite walks. We often go to Baggy and to get there you drive past my front door. Next time you are heading that way, let me know and I'll put the kettle on.
ReplyDeleteI shall certainly give you a shout next time I'm passing your front door. And any time you're heading down to Tiverton feel free to let me know and *I'll* put the kettle on. Be aware though that no one is allowed to leave my house without a bag of books. ;-P
ReplyDeleteThat sounds too good an invitation to miss! I'll be in touch with my address and telephone number when I'm settled back at home after the birth of the grandbaby.
ReplyDelete