If you change a well known, well loved pattern, will you be struck down by the knitting God or Goddess? So Far fleegle is still standing even though she has been plagued by knots in her yarn. She appears to now be past the point in the yarn with all the knots and is hopeful to finish her "Spider King" without further aggravation. I'm going to spend the weekend charting the mitered corner for my version of "Spider Queen" which will now be referred to as "Spider Mutant". Think "Island of Dr. Moreau" only with yarn and spiders. Of course, I hope it will still be pretty, if different, but there is no guarantee in knitting! Forgive me Hazel Carter for I'm about to sin.
OK. I know I said I was going to start keeping my shawls rather than giving them away. Something about a "Legacy" to leave my little nieces who I imagine could care less. But you see, I have this very dear friend Jerry, who moved to Seattle some years ago with his partner, Paul (I have listed his fledgling blog in the side-bar under GPC). He really likes the Mountain Pines Shawl. He is here in the Bay Area and we just had dinner together because he is part of a committee interviewing potential rectors for the church he belongs to. Apparently, there was some conversation last night with some of the others on the committee and they were talking about how nuns in the Catholic Church used to do lace and go blind by age 35 yrs making the stuff. One of the people there asked aloud, "Who spins or makes lace now a days anyway?" Or words to that effect. Heh Heh Heh. Of course my friend had to tell them that I did and that there are lots of other people out there who do as well. He wants bragging rights, wants to show off the shawl, display it in his house for all to see and somehow that just feels "right" compared to being wrapped in tissue in a box on the shelf for the next 10-20 years or so until one of my nieces might take an interest. Besides, did I mention he's very dear to me? So on Wed, before he takes the red-eye flight back home, we will have dinner somewhere nice, talk about everything and nothing like we used to do all the time when he used to live in the Bay Area, and he will go home with a reminder of our friendship that he can show-off to his hearts content. The shawl is special, but then so is he!
10 comments:
Hello! (delurking) stopping by to let you know your reference to Hazel Carter gave me a nice chuckle! No, I think it's fine to change the Knitting Gods/Goddesses wouldn't mind. Besides they're too busy catching up to those evil knots in yarn skeins (glad that it appears you are past them in the yarn). Very nice of you to surprise your friend w. the shawl - wonderful!
Terry (Bay Area too!)
"Spider Mutant" is inspired. Though I doubt the finished item will look very mutant-y. Unless you leave the original crown pattern in. :)
So THAT'S why I have been dodging lightening bolts for the past two months! Thanks for the explanation, Jane. Better be careful! I can't wait to see what you have come up with for the border.
And you apparently have a squishy golden heart too, giving away Mountain Pines. Know that it will be much loved and not sitting in a dark draweer.
Oh, it's so kind of you to part willingly with Mountain Pines! It is for a very good cause, though. :-)
I totally understand giving away the shawl to a dear friend. I'd rather have them be worn or displayed proudly by someone who will cherish them than in a chest where the moths will relish them. Obviously the chest would not be cedar ;)
Dear Terry,
Thank you for de-lurking! I hope what I put on the border will look decent. It's one thing to say you're not fond of what was originally done, another thing entirely to try to graft something on that you hope will be more appealing. I'm glad you think Hazel Carter wouldn't mind too much. If it turns out really odd I will just give it to the "end of the year" church sale!
Dear missalicefaye,
No crowns. I couldn't really find anything I liked. Any suggestions on something that denotes royalty that I could add instead? Otherwise Spider Mutant it is!
Dear fleegle,
You have to be be dancing pretty fast to be avoiding those bolts of lightening. I'm glad it has calmed down a little for you. I was up early by the way because hot-flashes from menopause know no time zones! As for Mountain Pine, it is on it's way to Seattle as I write this. May she be the bell of the ball.
Dear Beth S,
Jerry was actually surprised I was willing to give it to him. Silly man. I don't know about the "good cause" part but I do know that he will enjoy showing it off. And why not? What the heck.
Dear knitpicking,
I agree with you. If I only actually wore shawls I might keep more of them but I really just like to make them. Having someone willing to display it is really nice. Jerry's aunt has The Sheelagh Shawl that I knit years ago by Gladys Amadro out of Jamison's Cobweb weight yarn. She has it draped over an arm chair and does sometimes wear it out. It still looks good after all these years and has been admired by many. Much better than being in a chest!
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