It may appear that I’m still on vacation, but actually, I just haven’t finished anything in so long it looks like I don’t knit any longer. In fact, in a new fit of start-itis, I’ve been swatching like crazy for several projects that (mostly) are related to the book. That brings me to a request…are any of you out there interested in doing some test knitting for me? I’ll get the yarn to you, and it promises the opportunity to have your finished objects photographed for the book (with all appropriate credit, naturally).

I need:

• Two different pairs of adult socks (one lace and one colorwork).
• A pair of child’s socks
• A child-sized fisher-gansey
• A blue bonnet (that will need to be felted)
• A lace scarf-shawl (worked from a Victorian pattern)

Later this fall I’ll have additional patterns from other designers:

• A Shetland lace scarf
• A colorwork vest
• A child-size colorwork vest
• A small bag/purse

Let me know if any of these interest you. I’d like to have them by the end of January, but we can talk about deadlines later.

Swatching

In between swatches I’m trying to make progress on the book. The Introduction and 2 chapters are very close to being done…the things left are small details or photos I need to acquire. Two are half-way written and 2 are only in outline at this point. I thought I’d made more progress than that, but I’ve been down rabbit holes again. The final chapter is the patterns, so while I know what’s supposed to be in it, writing will need to follow test knitting and pattern grading. It will be fast to write, but slow to get done.

Meanwhile…

We made the decision to forgo any more travel this year, since both Bruce and I have big projects with December deadlines. But since we’ll be home, I’m really looking forward to having a knitting visitor in October. My gansey-knitting friend and phenom Margaret will be here for a few days towards the end of the month, and I can’t wait to see what she’s been up to. I’m hoping she’ll inadvertently drop a few hints to make my own gansey knitting go a little faster!

Fall foliage is peaking earlier than usual this year because of some low overnight temperatures. As I understand it, at 55 degrees F., some “switch” is activated in the plants and the change begins. It’s sort of hit and miss around here, but I’ve seen some lovely examples of color nearby.

As far as I’m concerned, the cooler temperatures mean it’s also soup weather. Next up on the menu is Broccoli/Cheddar. It’s one of the easy ones, although since recently reading some new recipes I discovered that pre-shredded cheese should be avoided because it’s treated in such a way that it tends to melt unevenly. There’s one shortcut down! Here is my own easy slow cooker version:

• Large head of broccoli broken into small pieces (retain a good portion of the stems as they will soften).
• 3 medium potatoes cut into quarters (I leave skins on, but it’s up to you)
• 1 carrot shredded
• 2 ribs celery chopped
• 1 small onion quartered
• block of very sharp cheddar shredded (I use about xx oz)
• 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 (substitute whole milk if you want to cut down the fat content)
• 1 qt. (or less) whole milk (you’ll add this slowly as you are processing the vegetables to judge how thick or thin you want the soup to be)
• 8 cups vegetable broth.
• salt and pepper

1. Place the vegetable broth and all of the vegetables in a slow cooker on low and let cook until everything is soft (I do mine overnight).
2. Process the cooked vegetables with an immersion blender adding 1/2 and 1/2 and milk until the soup is the thickness you like.
3. Add in the cheddar cheese and blend for another minute until the cheese is well incorporated (add a bit more milk if needed).
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve with warm, crusty sourdough or country bread with softened herb butter (chive or basil). My preference is cornbread with butter and honey.

Back to Knitting

I have looked primarily at Italian art up until now, so had missed this one from Spain. It shouldn’t have come as a big surprise that this style would have come out of Spain which had significant influence from Moriscos (Spanish people of Arab descent). The employment of Moriscos in knitting workshops is surmised by pieces showing Kufic text.

I really like this image because it shows not only the text, but the ending/beginning of the round with the jog.

Over the weekend I finally tackled a book that has been on the “To read immediately” pile entitled Women of the Hebrides: Stories of Strength and Courage, by Joni Buchanan. It’s a hefty tome, written in both English and Gaelic, with many great illustrations. I read nearly all of the stories, and many reminded me of the legend of Auður the Deep Minded, the story of a medieval Viking woman as retold by Meg Roger on her blog.

Joni Buchanan is that kind of woman. The first paragraph of her foreward tells us much about her and about the subjects she interviewed for her book.

I was raised among women of enormous strength and character. They were weavers and seamstresses, they fed and clothed generations, they cared for their sick and elderly folk. They raised animals and assed down culture and tradition and, when employment provided an opportunity, they took work such as my mother did – as a home help in the surrounding villages. No part of their lives was ever idle.

After finishing reading, I wanted to rewrite that last sentence as, “no part of their lives was ever small.” These women lived in societies that are more patriarchal than our own — although I think there are many who would like to see us to return to this gendered past. Even if there has been some movement in that direction over the past few years, I don’t think it will last long before women upend it all again. Maybe this time gender equality might just stick!

The story that touched me the most was of Rona Lightfoot, master piper, singer and bearer of Uist tradition. Daughter of a traditional singer (her mother) and a first-class piper (her father), she was one of the first women to compete at the highest level of piping, taking one of its most prestigious prizes. Just getting into the competitions made her a trail blazer, overcoming obstacle after obstacle that was thrown in her way.

Joni’s book isn’t just a tribute. It’s inspiration!

And Finally…

So, until the next time, stay calm and craft on!