Tuesday 4 February 2014

Yarn, Masculinity & Choices.




I have finally managed to have a weekend free from work - well, the sort of work that pays my bills that is. No sewing for a whole two days after weeks of no break. January sort of eluded me apart from my forays into the world of mud & rain with Pepper dog, and thank goodness for those brief moments as I would otherwise have seen only my studio walls.


Seven day weeks with evenings included are hard. On the upside, how fantastic it is to know my work has brought me so much business. How lovely to think my designs are so popular and that is the biggest spur to me when I am almost weeping with gritty eyed tiredness and a desperate need to lie by the fire of an evening.




So, this weekend has been full of cleaning (much needed) and eating (much enjoyed) and generally lazing in or on my bed.




I am now in the midst of choosing a knitting pattern. Yes, another. Three projects are waiting to be finished and they can blooming well carry on waiting too! I want to choose a new pattern that calls to me, something I actually feel like knitting rather than working on some stuffed away project. Life is too darned short to worry over such things. I will finish them when the mood takes me and in the meantime comes the fun of new yarn...the picking of colours and texture, glorious texture. Breathes deeply in anticipation.




Mr Davey has also got has knitting mojo back & has worked two sweet hats for babies of friends and is now rapidly knitting up some socks for Lucy in a gorgeous soft tomato red & cream. I am most impressed! The photo makes the red quite harsh when it is actually more a nautical red or perhaps a Scandi type, if you know what I mean. Better images next time maybe.


A recent chat with an acquaintance surprised me. It seems the idea of a man knitting is still viewed as a sign of lacking masculinity. Oh dear me. When will things change? When will the notion of a man knitting or sewing or cooking or whatever cease to be worthy of any mention other than to comment on how gorgeous the yarn, how sumptuous the fabric, how delicious sounding the recipe? I truly do despair and frankly worry about the rubbish some children have to listen to when they are growing and forming their own ideas around identity. Hmm, I am on my soap box...climbing down as I type and posting a calming image to get the heart rate down.



Anyhoo, back to me! I can't decide whether to look ahead to spring (not mentioning which year I am thinking of obv) or to stay firmly in the chilly moment. My Pinterest board has plenty to choose from, as does my Ravelry queue. A little more looking & lusting is needed I think before I decide. It may just be a new hat is needed before any larger projects are started. Who knows but I am having fun looking. I quite fancy this Poolside pullover by Isabell Kraemer


  Poolside by Isabell Kraemer pattern €4.50 on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/poolside-4


or this gorgeous Brandied Cherry jumper by Thea Colman, perfect for chilly walks on the beach.


Ravelry: Brandied Cherry pattern by Thea Colman


On the other hand I may go for something smaller for little granddaughter Scarlett (guilt smotes me down about now)



So many lovely choices! 

Are you knitting anything? x


P.S. those top three photos were 'borrowed' from eldest son Tom. Gorgeous aren't they? xx

10 comments:

  1. Do hope you manage to find balance in your life with time for some down time as well as busyness even though that of course is bringing in the dosh! Lovely photos as always both yours and your son's and I adore that navy sweater and indeed the red and cream socks - knitting was done by many men in the past so why not now.

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  2. Love that poolside sweater. My eldest son learned to knit when he was small but I'm not sure he would remember how now... however he is a superb cook!

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  3. Pipany, it's grand to see a post from you, filled with beautiful Cornwall images, courtesy of you and that talented young man.

    Your talent is definitely propelling your business on and on. Hoping that you will be able to somehow hold on to all those aspects of your life near the sea.

    Your Dave is a wonder, and it was fun to see a photo showing that he's turning the heels on socks now.

    Best wishes to you and yours for a fabulous 2014. xo

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    1. Hello dear Frances & best wishes to you too.

      I do worry about losing the things that made me start the business in the first place too,but I guess the worrying about it is what will stop it happening. I am determined! x

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  4. Ah yes, but he does at least remember the rhyme!

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  5. You should see all the beautiful needlework my dad produced. This was in between renovating his house and looking after my mum who had rheumatoid arthritis and dementia.

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