I’ve always envied people who are clever with a needle, whether they are sewing, quilting, cross-stitching, embroidering, crocheting, or knitting. I don’t have the patience for that, but it’s very calming to watch people do it–and I assume calming to do it, as well.
I have a lot of embroidery work from my mother and Tom’s grandmother that I treasure. And I also have many examples of Lynne’s talent with a needle. Whether I need a quilt mended, or curtains and throw pillows made from favorite Ralph Lauren linens, she’s the person I call. I also have cross-stitch pieces she’s done, which I should put on here one day, and an afghan she crocheted and gave me as a wedding gift nearly two decades ago. (I was a child bride.)
Saturday, Timmy told me he’d been knitting recently. A lot of men knit these days (Joel Derfner even wrote a story about knitting for the anthology that Tim and I edited, which I’m sure you’ll be reading one day). My friend Geraldine is a gifted knitter, although I don’t have any of her work to photograph and share. Many celebrities have been spotted knitting, as well. I think it’s wonderful when these traditional crafts are taken up by new generations.
Back in 2005, Lisa knitted a couple of scarves which she sent to The Compound, and either Tim or I published a photo of River and Guinness modeling them.
Don’t think because Houston’s subtropical that those scarves haven’t been used. Because we get so little cold weather, when it does come, it can be miserable, and Lisa’s scarves have provided Tim and me much-needed warmth–in style!
When she visited recently, Lisa gave me another scarf in my favorite colors of green and purple, which EZ consented to model.
Not to be upstaged, Guinness wanted me to note that in the recent upheaval of house renovations, I finally found a scarf that Shannon got on her last trip to England and sent me. Flowy and beautiful, it’s green silk with a tree painted on it in gold.
And even though I’ve shown this scarf that Lynne brought me from San Diego on my LJ before, it never looks nearly so good on me as when Margot languishes in it.
However they’re made, scarves are beautiful and functional, and I’m fortunate to have generous friends who help me stay warm and feel bright and feminine in them.
my mother is a knitter, I have a great collection of scarves she has made me over the years. I have begged her to knit me an afgan for years – and she always tells me she already made me one and it was my tough luck that I lost it. She never gave me anything of the sort. Once again, this fight went on for years … till she found it in her last move, it was in a trunk.
I, can cross stitch like no ones business, sadly eveything I’ve ever made is in my Mom’s house. I especially like the stuff that has optical illusions in it. When I’m done with PK I want to make something for myself
PS … Didn’t I see these Pups on Project Runway… they are workin the scarves. Especially EZ.
Knitting is like meditation for me. Most days, after working for 8 hours, I get the itch to knit. I go downstairs, turn on CSI and pull out my needles and yarn. The needles are like conductors that channel away my stress and frustrations. Yarn inspires me. I love standing in the aisles of the yarn shop, picking up skeins or balls and letting the colors and textures call to me until I say, “I must make something with this.” Now granted, my skill level only allows me to make scarves, but for me, it’s all about the act.
Guinness and Margot look even more gorgeous than usual in those scarves. (EZ’s looking like she thinks Tim put that cone thing back on her head. :P)
I’m like Timmy in that I only do scarves because that’s about all I have the talent for, plus I don’t have to think about it while I’m making them. I also love to buy yarn I find that I like–I have a big bucket of yarn in a closet, just waiting to be made into a scarf. I did make an afghan once, but it took too long, and was too hard to haul around.
Monday night, I had to run a midnight errand and I got to use my new scarf because the temperature dropped from springlike to the thirties. Now I know the thirties aren’t all the impressive to winter people, but a change like that is harsh. The scarf kept me all cozy and warm, though, even when I stood out in the wind and pumped gas. Thanks! =)
Your dogs are soooo patient . . . never seem to object to whatever . . .
But the scarves are just gorgeous, especially the first two. Am a little envious!
The dogs–I have to photograph them quickly, because they don’t put up with my nonsense for too long.