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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 3:45:43 GMT
I have knitted ordinary things for years but in 2007 I read about "Shadow Knitting". It looked interesting so I designed and knitted a lap rug using this technique and intarsia technique for the date. My friends persuaded me to enter it in our Royal Show which has competitions for agriculture,horticulture,crafts etc. It is open to entries from all over the country. I got 2nd in my class and planned to enter the next year. What starts off looking like a striped fabric changes as you see it at different angles into a geometric pattern. It has a nice chain edge as well.
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 3:51:14 GMT
2009 I won a 2nd prize ribbon for this baby set...delicate but not imaginative enough for me. I used a pattern for the jacket then had to make my own for the matching bonnet and booties
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 4:00:14 GMT
2010 I researched some ethnic knits and found this one. FLAMBOROUGH GANSEY This gansey is knitted in the traditional way, in one piece on circular or double-pointed needles. The sleeves stitches are picked up at the shoulder and the sleeves are knitted down to the cuffs. Casting on and off is done with double thickness yarn for extra strength. As the garment is close fitting, a gusset is knitted under each armhole to allow ease of movement. This design is based on an old gansey worn by Mr. George Mainprize (born 1875), a fisherman from Flamborough on the coast of Yorkshire. The design shows a diamond “net” pattern and a “Jacob’s ladder” pattern. These designs showed hope for a good catch of fish, and safety at sea. The gansey was a garment for hard work. The lower arms and waist were un-patterned and firm fitting to prevent getting entangled in ropes or nets. The upper sections were patterned for extra thickness and warmth over the chest and shoulder joints. The shoulder pieces were not joined with sewn seams, but cast off together with a ridge on the outside. A different, thicker pattern, called the “strap”, was knitted over the shoulders. This was to help cushion weight on the shoulders while hauling nets, ropes etc. Every village and family had its own combinations of patterns. As every gansey was unique, sadly there were times when the gansey had to provide the means of identification for fishermen lost at sea. It got 1st in class...and by now I was truly hooked. I had summarized some historic detail and it was displayed with the entry.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 7, 2013 4:00:22 GMT
More! more! I can see why the baby set might not have been engaging enough for you, but it's exquisite work.
Can you expound on the shadow knitting technique, please? So glad you showed different views of the lap robe, so we could understand why it's called shadow knitting.
Simul-posting, so didn't see the magnificent sweater until after I posted the above. Wow! Real artistry & the history behind it is fascinating.
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 4:15:17 GMT
2011. I discovered Sanquhar. It also had a good back story and looked spectacular. It took me ages to plot out a kid's gansey keeping the pattern correct. "SANQUHAR GANSEY The Sanquhar pattern is one of the oldest in Scotland, coming from the ancient town of that name in Dumfriesshire. This town was famous for its fine knitted gloves and stockings using black and white wool and intricate patterns based on small squares. From the 18th century, Sanquhar knitted gloves were often used as Royal gifts to visiting Heads of State. This gansey is knitted in the traditional way, in one piece on circular or double-pointed needles. The sleeves stitches are picked up at the shoulder and the sleeves are knitted down to the cuffs. This gansey is made from 5ply wool, but for gloves or stockings, a fine 2 ply wool would have been used. The pattern is called “the Duke’s Pattern” after Charles, 4th Duke of Buccleuch, and 6th Duke of Queensberry, who sponsored the knitting industry in the town. It is one of the most popular patterns still in use today." This is the inside...must be as neat as the outside. This one won not only best in class, but also best in Show. I couldn't believe it, all the other entries were gorgeous!
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 4:52:39 GMT
Many thanks Bix, I just had 2 more garments all ready to post and a stupid ad came on my computer and wiped them out. I'll do them later.
Shadow knitting is extremely easy so long as you can count! It is just changing between sections of garter stitch and sections of stockinette. I will scan and send you the details later.
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 7:17:29 GMT
By 2012 I was wanting to show the history of knitting more. I found the story of this lady who is reputed to be the first person to publish a book of written patterns. I chose 8 panels of lacework and invented my own borders to make a scarf. "Miss Frances Lambert’s Lace Sampler From My Knitting Book (1843). The sampler here has been knitted from patterns in Miss Lambert’s “My Knitting Book”. (1843) This book has been preserved on library shelves for generations as it was one of the first knitting pattern books ever published. At that time there were few written patterns and knitters would circulate patterns by working a panel of a design to exchange with each other. This gave rise to the “Sampler” which is a collection of motifs, worked one after another as a continuous strip of fabric. They were a common Victorian undertaking, and many nineteenth-century examples survive. This sampler uses eight of Miss Lambert’s own patterns set in a 21st century harmonizing border. Her instructions for knitting are quite different to the standardized patterns of today. Miss Lambert also standardized and named the needle sizes and created the needle measuring gauge to assist knitters choose the correct needles for their tension." Apparently the judges loved it because it was different...it got a first place. While I was working on this, I was knitting a cardigan for my 7 year old grand daughter. I was half way through and it was pretty rough so when she insisted it 'goes in the Show' I said it would never win a prize, but she said," mmm..might get a 3rd". She was right, 3rd place...I think the colour and texture accounted for it. 2013 I was told by the steward of the competition that my entry "blew them away". Watch out for next post!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2013 10:26:49 GMT
My grandmother was a great knitter and could glance at a pattern in a book just once to know exactly how to do it. Unfortunately, for the last 8 years of her life it was basically just her and me seeing each other regularly, and I had all of the sweaters, scarves and socks that I could handle. Luckily, she was also a compulsive crochet artists and could churn out the most fantastic doilies at an incredible rate. Luckily these were easier to distribute. Since I was her only visitor at the retirement home, back then I became an expert on wool and crochet cotton since I had to buy her supplies.
Even though she died in 1992, I still have some of the items that she made for me.
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Post by htmb on Oct 7, 2013 11:12:41 GMT
Questa, your work is absolutely exquisite! I can certainly see why you've won many awards, and am lookimg forward to seeing more photos.
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 11:34:54 GMT
A baby shawl I made over 40 years ago. It is a modified version of an old Shetland pattern. Start at the centre with 8 stitches and at the edge there is about 492 stitches...terrible if I have to unpick a mistake.
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Post by mossie on Oct 7, 2013 16:20:42 GMT
This thread takes me back, possibly to where I don't want to be. In the good old days all good wives knitted children's clothes. When I first joined the RAF my swimming costume was one my mother had knitted for me, nice thick wool ;D ;D I also remember a great aunt who was about 90 when our eldest was born. She knitted him a pair of bedsocks, which had strands of her hair caught up in them and were too big for me
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Post by mez on Oct 7, 2013 16:47:42 GMT
I'm so glad you started this thread. I was going to ask you about it when I saw your ribbons on the map thread. I admit I was more interested in what the ribbons were for than your maps - especially knowing about Aussie agricultural shows. Your work is amazing and I particulary like the shadow knitting piece. It's perfect for me to take to the Swans matches. ;D
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Post by tod2 on Oct 7, 2013 17:17:03 GMT
Wow, you are GOOD! I think anyone who can accomplish such perfect looping, tying and twisting yarn into a beautiful design deserves a standing ovation! I went through a box of old, old , hundred or more years old, papers from my grandmother. All brown and delicately folded. The one piece of paper I'm sure is a crochet pattern. If you would like it just for fun I could try and photograph it and put it here for you.?
BTW, I have been to Sanquhar! I have the fridge magnets to proove it ;D
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 22:50:00 GMT
2013 entry went way back to the beginning... The tattered remains A few trial runs on size, pattern compilation and choice of heel etc. I started in September 2012 and finished in May 2013 The speckled part of the heel is knitted with thread doubled for extra comfort and wear. I combined the decorative panels from both originals. The judges said, "Yay! here's a blue ribbon". I said, "Never again!"
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 23:01:08 GMT
Mez...red and white will go very well together. Do you knit? It would be so easy for me to make up a simple striped scarf pattern for you to do. Obvious stripes go across the width and either straight shadow stripes lengthwise or, better, form shadow blocks for the length.
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Post by questa on Oct 7, 2013 23:12:36 GMT
Tod2...was there any sign of knitting still obvious in Sanquar? I guess as a cottage industry it has yielded to modern ways. My friend's ancestors came from there so I designed her a vest in the same pattern. She says she gets compliments when she wears it.
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Post by mez on Oct 8, 2013 0:18:16 GMT
Mez...red and white will go very well together. Do you knit? It would be so easy for me to make up a simple striped scarf pattern for you to do. Obvious stripes go across the width and either straight shadow stripes lengthwise or, better, form shadow blocks for the length. Not at all, Questa. In this world there are the those that do and those that admire. I am part of the latter group.
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Post by questa on Oct 8, 2013 2:31:34 GMT
Can you expound on the shadow knitting technique, please? So glad you showed different views of the lap robe, so we could understand why it's called shadow knitting. I will post a kids pullover where you can really see how it is done. I'm still looking for my written down instructions. I'll write out some instructions for you to try.
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Post by questa on Oct 8, 2013 3:52:31 GMT
Mez...those of us who are doers really appreciate your group!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 8, 2013 6:11:34 GMT
:-XI can easily believe that Duke's Pattern sweater won first in show -- it is perfect! Love the subtle but rich colors you used, too.
Is the baby shawl meant to be folded in half?
The overall design on the socks is mind boggling. I like how you casually say "A few trial runs on size, pattern compilation and choice of heel etc." Nah ~~ that wasn't easy!
The vest you made for your friend is marvelous & she looks so pretty in it.
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Post by questa on Oct 8, 2013 8:55:28 GMT
>bixaorellana
a) the traditional colours are black and white but I found that too stark so used cream and brown.
b)The shawl is folded not in half but about a third and baby is wrapped with the smaller section on the outside to form a double layer of the lacy bit showing. It can wrap around the head and looks like a lacy cocoon. When Princess Mary of Denmark left hospital with her first baby, I'm sure she was using this pattern shawl (minus my lacy centre modification) to wrap the little prince.
c) I had to knit toes, heels and the designs to get it right... I would have made 3 1/2 socks in all.
d) My friend was in my group of trainee nurses 1960-64. We still meet up yearly even though she is 1000km away.
I have one more piece to show, but I'll catch up on Iran first!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 15, 2013 19:01:57 GMT
Thanks, Questa.
Were the socks the most complicated thing you ever made?
Hmmm. So far no onslaught of knitting projects from other anyporters. ;D
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Post by htmb on Oct 15, 2013 19:53:42 GMT
At one point in my life I was consumed with acts of counted cross stitch, needlepoint, smocking, and sewing. I even performed some "extreme" crocheting when I designed and executrd a huge, personalized wall hanging/blanket. The loops were made over a broom handle, and I wouldn't even know where to begin to start on something like that now. Most of those items were given away or sold. Perhaps, one day, I will post pictures of the few that remain.
Though I've never picked up the art of knitting I certainly admire beautiful work. Questa, you have a real talent and, I am sure, extreme patience for creating/recreating such gorgeous work.
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Post by questa on Oct 16, 2013 2:58:24 GMT
Thanks again, htmb, I have one more 'special' piece to post here, but I have to find my pics of it.
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Post by questa on Oct 17, 2013 6:53:57 GMT
Found it! Many people are familiar with the ganseys (pullovers) knitted in the Aran designs...cream or blue with lots of twists and cables and bobbles. These patterns are from the island of Aran. Another island nearby is called Eriskay and their patterns are similar but have a dividing "bridge" just over halfway up the chest, with a different set of patterns above it.The patterns are designed to be symbolic to the wearer. I found the knitting instructions for an Eriskay gansey and modified it with symbols that had meaning for me at that time. Whenever you knit a cable or plait it pulls the width in, so you have to add extra stitches for that panel...there is a formula but I didn't know it then. (this garment was made in 1991, before I started travelling) Below the bridge is a plait to show that I had finally cut my long hair short after many years. The 3 diamonds either side represented the mutual ending of a relationship with a chap who was an accountant. (Diamonds always stand for money) The "fishbones" motif is very common and I saw myself as a fish swimming away from the rotten job I was in. Above the bridge are 2 cables which I saw as my two 20ish sons now striking out on their own (in different directions) The 4 corner panels are seed pods of a gum tree...my current boyfriend was a botanist! The lacy diamonds indicated that my job at least paid well enough to live on, as they stood either side of the traditional "tree of Life" pattern. I made up the 'V' pattern to show I was about to spread my wings. The charting of the designs took me about 3 weeks, working on graph paper about 2 hours each day. It is knitted in one piece, moving from panel to panel on each row around the garment. The gussets under the arms are made separately and stitched in. It is still soft and warm to wear, I chose a good DK 8ply wool.
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Post by patricklondon on Oct 17, 2013 10:11:08 GMT
To be utterly, tediously, pedantic, Eriskay is one of the Outer Hebrides, away to the north off the north-western coast of Scotland, but many traditions are shared with the Irish Atlantic islands, I suppose.
And it gives me an opportunity to give you the song that goes with Eriskay, to listen to while you're concentrating on all that complicated knitting (I am in awe, honestly):
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Post by patricklondon on Oct 17, 2013 10:18:59 GMT
PS. Just another footnote. Those "Egyptian" socks are awfully reminiscent of the Afghan slipper socks I've been using for a few years in cold winters.
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Post by questa on Oct 17, 2013 10:34:00 GMT
Patrick,
When you live in the centre of Australia, those islands ARE 'nearby'.
(actually, I have never bothered to check out their location, just went on the patterns)
The research on the socks indicated that the designs probably came from India, so you are quite likely to see them on Afghani socks.
"Footnote" I see what you did there!
Thanks for the compliments.
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Post by fumobici on Oct 17, 2013 14:09:14 GMT
Wow I had no idea sweaters could have a whole biographical narrative stitched into them. That's a very beautiful sweater but isn't far too precious to actually wear? I could see it getting spilt on or snagged on something and having all that work undone. I'd be afraid to wear it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2013 21:50:13 GMT
All of these patterns are so elaborate -- you definitely outdo just about anything my grandmother ever did. But of course for most of her life, her knitting time was the short period after doing the washing up from lunch and starting to make dinner... assuming that there were not weeds to pull in the garden or people dropping by hoping to get coffee and a slice of her famous brioche.
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