Today is, among other things, the start of meteorological winter here in the UK. Of course it’s also the official start of the Christmas Season, but after the hoopla of Black Friday, Black Friday Week, Cyber Monday, and Thanksgiving, perhaps many of us have had enough already. I’ve done my share of Black Friday shopping, buying fabric for garments I may never make or wear. Thinking about this – I’ve got enough of a stash to open a small shop – I’ve reasoned that most of the purchases are aspirational. They’re supplies for garments that appeal to me, and in a way once the supplies are purchased, the garment exists, at least in potentia.
Clouds – Water – Foam
The ’serious’ orchestra concerts are done for the year. While the first concert in Wick went well from my point of view, the second in Thurso on Wednesday evening was less successful. It was not a disaster, but I could have done better. For excuses I can say that it was an evening concert, and that the acoustics in the hall put me off. The first concert was held in a carpeted church, the second in our regular rehearsal space of a school gym. Its wooden floor reflected the sound, making every note sound far too loud in my ears. The carpeted floor lead me to believe ‘hey, you can do this’, while the bare boards said ‘you’re too loud and you sound terrible’. Hey ho. We’re back in the hall this week for rehearsals of Christmas music.
Backlit branch
The weather has again been too inclement for long walks, and I’ve been staying in doing indoor things. Like shopping Black Friday sales and emptying my inbox of e-mails promoting said sales. I’ve also started work on a newsletter for a group I belong to, which would usually come out in the autumn. However, after some delays it has now become a Christmas newsletter. I’ve been experimenting with AI to generate images using the group’s name and logo. It’s been frustrating and rewarding. Frustrating because after each prompt, you must wait until it generates the image. Then, as it is unlikely to be what you want, the prompt needs to be modified and resent. This continues until you give up in frustration or the results are so bad you start again. But I reckon that in the long run, it’s quicker than if I had to do it all myself.
The Chart. The gansey’s chevrons are 2 sets wider.
I haven’t given up on the gansey, for as you can see, it is finished. It’s taken three months and a week, and apart from slightly deep armholes, it’s come out well. The bands on the sleeve add the tiniest bit of interest and helped to alleviate the tedium of knitting miles of stockinette. I hope to get it blocked by next week, when I’ll share the graduation photos. The pattern for the next gansey is undecided. There’s lots of charts and photos to review, and then there’s the colour to choose . . . denim, moonlight, turquoise, amethyst, Cornish gold . . .?
Winter Sunrise
Hi
I love following your progress on the ganseys. I have yet to attempt one, although I do have a cone of Frangapani wool I bought hoping I would find the courage to start.
Do you sell the ganseys you knit?
Hi Carolee
No, the ganseys aren’t sold, simply because it would be impossible to achieve adequate recompense for the work involved. It’s better to give them away to recipients who appreciate them.
Wow! How wonderful for the lucky recipient! Your right of course, even my own much simpler projects have uncounted hours involved in creating them. Folks ask, how long did that take…haven’t a clue!!
It’s lovely!
How does Cornish Gold differ from other shades?
Hi Tamar
Cornish gold is a rather bright ochre – you can see a pic of it at https://guernseywool.co.uk/Wool_Colours.html
What type of yarn do you use? Is it always a specific brand or is it like fabric and it is whatever catches your eye?
I particularly love blue for sweaters. After looking at paint chips yesterday I find I am greatly influenced by the name of the colors, therefore Cornish gold sounds delightful.
What ever you choose it is always fun to follow along 🙂
Hi Laura
The yarn we/I use is almost exclusively Gansey 5-ply. In the past several companies made it, but now the most affordable brand is Frangipani. Other brands include Jamieson & Smith and Caithness Yarns. Other yarns can of course be used, but I’ve got quite a stockpile of the ‘good stuff’!