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The other day, I wrote about my experience at Standen House, and the drawings I made. While I was there I took a lot of photos to use as reference for a project. The whole place is so beautiful, each corner has something interesting about it. Here are some photos of the house, without much editing, so you can see the real colours and feel of it.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves...
Taken October 2011. Standen House.
Kimxo
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It was my 21st birthday at the end of October, and Mum and Dad surprised me big time! We visited a Spinning/Weaving show in Lewes and my very own Drum Carder was waiting for me. I really couldn't believe it. It's been on my list for a while now- and it's going to save me so much time and energy. I can card, like, 20 times the amount of wool in the same time & I'm not totally exhausted. I think my Mum was really pleased about that- she always worries that I work too hard.
I bought myself some beautiful natural fibres and did my first blend that day! (As seen at top, Oatmeal BFL and some pink curly handdyed bits.)
(hehe, the batts always look like clouds or cotton candy when they come off!)
I took these photos below today, because I finished spinning it recently!Some people were asking for more sock weight yarns, so this was my attempt at skinny spinning and then plying.
Obviously, it's still got that beautiful handspun feel with some bits thicker or thinner than others. And I'm super pleased at how the pink just peeks out here and there. I spun some like this, but with a darker blue & it's knits up super nicely!
What do you think? Should I make a fun neutral range with splashes of colour in them?
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Yay! Thank you to my twitter friends who let me know that I'm in a little write up about Renegade London in the newest issue of Mollie Makes! It's a great issue. [:
Kimxo
p.s. the Etsy is still stocked up on frames and wool and things! Perfect little christmas gifts.
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Standen House is a National Trust property that is about an hours drive away from my parents' house. The architect who built it was Philip Webb, who was a close friend of William Morris- and the Arts and Crafts movement is shown throughout the house in every nook and cranny. Not to mention the beautiful self-sufficient garden that the lady of the house had.
Mum and I visited at the begining of October for the first time, and I fell in love. I needed to do some reference drawings for a college project, and so although I saw a few parts of the house really well- there is still so much for me to explore there. I cannot wait to go back again! It's open to the public, and if you live around the southeast of England, I highly reccommend a day trip.
Here are some of the quick drawings I did whilst I was there and from photos I took. I mainly wanted to focus on the house as a wealthy, mysterious and fantastical place. Full of entrancing patterns and objects- but that could be the scene for a more sinister story. At this stage I was purely gathering visual information.Also- I may have gotten side-tracked by all the Morris wallpaper... sigh...
Victorian times are inspiring me the most lately.
(Photo at top taken by Mum on her iPhone.)
Love, Kimxo
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Having made several pairs of sucsessful simple socks, I attempted a rather long, complicated Gentleman's Sock from a book on Vintage Socks. The pattern was taken from an old Victorian style sock and were made on teeny tiny needles (2.5mm) that are still bigger than what the ladies back then used to use.
I started off well. The rib is quite perfect, in a plain colour and even and stretchy enough to get a foot through.
Then I started in on the main body, and decided to use a colourwork pattern I had made and swatched up beforehand.
Of course- being quite new to colourwork, (not yet mastered the art of 'two-finger knitting') I didn't think to add in extra space for the stranding, and so this sock is much much too narrow to get a foot in and much too big to be for someone smaller. Still, I continued with the different heel and funny toe (adding in the colourwork, to add strength and fun spot). This was certainly a test in patience and quick fingers and after making this, I have a whole new understanding of what 'traditional knitting' is like. I (unfortunately?) fell in love with the small needles, and can now do this colourwork pattern with my eyes closed.
Although it's not very practical, I am very glad I've finished this little gem of a piece, because if it stayed in my bag forever unfinished, I'd never feel like I could move past and forward from here. It is a very odd shape, and can be twisted and folded and placed to make a variety of make-believe animals (haha!).
I would love to do another sock like this (a new pair) and see if I could do it properly.
Have any sock stories?
Kimxo
p.s. Did you know they used to have a 'seam stitch' at the back of socks, that would be a purl and marked the begining of the round? Like stockings. So charming!
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These cozy and slightly lopsided wrist warmers started out as socks for a friend. I was experimenting with a new size wool and needles and some button holes to string ribbion through... Basically I didn't swatch it or do my calculations right and they were too tight when I tried to get it over my heel. With a quick change, I finished them off straight & left a hole for my thumb and... wa la!
Because of the stranding on the back(see below), (this was before I learnt how to do colourwork with both right and left hand) they are super thick and snug- perfect for drawing! I think I finished these in the springtime sometime. I still need to make that pair of socks for my friend...
It's so nice to see my drawings go from scribbles, to swatches, into a garment or frame. I needed to remind myself today that mistakes are ok, and not every part of the process is going to be perfect.
I've been struggling with college work recently. You can read some of my worries here. Thanks to everyone who has left sweet comments. I really appreciate all the support.
I buckled down today and did a few pages in a new sketchbook. Still not happy really, but at least I'm moving. A few more days before I go into college again to get my head screwed on right.
Kimxo.
p.s. I've got more funny knitting adventures to share with you. Things that have gone right and wrong! Hopefully you can sympathise. haha. [:
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Spent the day yesterday on buses and around Spitalfields.
It was cold and the city was cold
and the sky was a flat grey and the buildings hid it from view.
Except this steeple.
It stood alone and lonely
against the cold London sky.
It was quiet
while the city was chiming and chattering and moving. It was still.
I moved slow against the crowds
of rushing feet.
With my velvet gloves on, I felt the city
rumble beneath my tired feet.
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Lots of cozy evenings spent eating bread, cheese and pickled onions, playing games, watching films, knitting and sharing. Oh, and we all enjoyed a good lap blanket to keep our legs warm.
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Whenever I've stayed at Heather's house- it's always been accompanied by chocolate milk and good food. I will never forget the delishious poached egg in risotto meal. Yummm. On the morning of the 3rd of Jan this year, we treated ourself to tea and toast and fruit and milk and we may have watched a very romantic film like Pride and Predjudice.
The perfect relaxed winter morning. She's also got the most wonderful sofa's to cuddle up on. Many happy times there. I do miss Bristol a lot. kxo
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On an evening when tea before bed was essential, so was a buscuit or two, too! This top picture is one of my favourite 'serious' photos of Ted. (Possibly the only serious photo of Ted!)
p.s. now that Renegade is done and I've had a chance to recover and do some college work- my South Africa series will be returning. :] Hope you're having a good weekend.
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