It’s been a funny week. I did not have a busy work-week, yet somehow other things (like knitting and taxes) seemed to balloon to fill the extra hours.
I’ve been meaning to post my end of “June’s” Pay It Forward bargain. I did this last year on FaceBook right after the turn of the new year but for some reason, I got no takers when I posted it on FB this year. I love this idea and was lucky enough to find myself on Cindy’s list. Here’s the plan, directly re-posted from her blog.
4. After commenting here, you must repost this or something similar to your blog in 48 hours. If not, I will choose the next person who comments…
Let the games begin.
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This is not widely known but…occasionally, I tutor people in the gentle art of sewing. I used to give group classes in my studio in New Orleans and really enjoyed it. Now I live in downtown Toronto in a condo the size of a postage stamp (not exactly conducive to groups of giddy new sewers) so, from time to time I rent myself out as an itinerant sewing tutor, not unlike the old circuit preachers or the Pardoner from Canterbury Tales (sans bones, of course). This week, I was lucky enough to find myself in the home of the utterly lovely Correne, her husband Adam and beautiful children Oliver, Orla and Oz. Though the house is inhabited by humans, it clearly belongs to 3 of these incredible creatures.
Whilst I demonstrated how to layout a baby dress, Scarab walked back and forth across my shoulders purring and trying to climb into my ear. Unbelievable.
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Those fancy-pants French. Along with Brie and Champagne, the French can be credited with having invented Entrelac (trans: ‘Interlace’) Knitting. Since I had so much extra time this week (!?!) I thought I’d give it a whirl.
What a romp! Once I got started, I didn’t want to quit, so I ran out and bought some
lovely cotton and linen yarns from Romni basement thinkin’ I’d like some spring-y sofa cushions (Pattern to follow…..honest). It’s really fun and pretty easy if you consult this excellent tutorial by Cassie Castillo. This technique adapts itself to any number of variations, including (dare I dream….) lace!
Who has more fun than us knitters?
Cindy
I’m dying to try interlace some time in the next year. it looks so fab. Love your beginning stages! Can’t wait to see a finished item!
Nic Corrigan
That Entrelac looks very interesting – think that is definitely one to add to my list to try!!
burlesquebaker
Ugh, I hate to be so nerdy, but I LOVE the Pardoner’s Tale of Canterbury Tales! (Even worse: I’ve actually taken an entire class on Chaucer and read the Canterbury Tales in its original Middle English!!!) And, oh, Scarab! I’ve never known someone to own a hairless kitty!
garretw
I love entrelac with the hot blinding passion of a thousand burning suns beating down about the brick red backs of laborors. Or I just like it a little bit, you know, something to do. (My feelings are the same for getting surprises in the mail. Though is alright if I wait about a week to pay forward.)
garretw
I really need to work on my reading comprehension. Fourty eight hours, I swear I will!!
loavesandstitches
Ooooh! Be careful there! Entrelac can be addictive. I made a pillow and then a sweater and then I had to stop short of the Forest Path Stole for fear it would take over my life.
And no one has more fun than knitters! (except maybe knitters who also sew…and bake…)
Pearls-Toronto
No kiddin’!! I’ve had my eye on the “Forest Path Stole” for about 4 years. I swear….someday….