Wednesday 25 July 2007

Heart of darkness

Like Mog the Forgetful Cat, Knit Wrong Purl Wrong has been sitting in the dark, thinking dark thoughts lately. That is to say, I have been staying up way past my bedtime thinking things like: "What shall I do with all this black wool, and why was it so incredibly cheap on eBay?" That's 10-balls-for-less-than-nine-pounds cheap, bargain fans. It's called Elle Elite DK and is a wool-cotton blend - without the same sheen and softness as Rowan Wool Cotton, but promising nonetheless. I have plans for it involving a hood, long sleeves, and other design features appropriate to this most un-summery summer.

In other dark thoughts, I have also been thinking about The Black Apple, Etsy shop of the fabulous Emily who created these similarly fabulous pictures. For a good look, go here, but I also wanted to show off the beautiful framing work done by Cupola of Sheffield. I think the pictures would look lovely in more ornate frames too, but I wanted the four pictures to match and felt that four identical fancy mouldings might be overbearing, so the framer helped me to pick out these. I think they work very nicely.

I hung them in the order of Alice's Wonderland descent, and I am delighted with the way the sympathetic colours lead you from one picture to the next, right to the bottom of the rabbit hole. The girls have such appealingly taciturn little faces: they are excellent company in the living room. Also, the more I look at the Mad Hatter girl, the more I want to knit up a lacy neckwarmer in teal, and if that doesn't testify to the power of art, I don't know what does. (And do take a look at Emily's blog for a peep inside the artist's lovely home - it's like Hello magazine for the arts-and-crafts scene.)

Lastly, some light coloured knitting to go with some, if not dark, then certainly sad thoughts of a good friend who is currently recovering from surgery on a brain tumour. If successful, the surgery should give her one more year, along with chemotherapy. I thought she might need a hat, so I made her one.

Pattern: Lace-Edged Women's Hat by Julie Entz from Headhuggers
Materials: Rowan Wool Cotton, shade 900/Antique (1 ball), 4mm Addi Turbos
Adaptations: I worked the crown decreases with magic loop. I wish I hadn't, my tension up there is horrible. Apart from that I love this hat, and in other circumstances would keep it for myself. I hope the recipient finds it useful.

9 comments:

florencemary said...

Now, that is scary. Not only do I have 'Mog the forgetful cat' somewhere on my bookshelves, but I am taking some pictures to be framed today. And also, more spookily, I started, but didn't finish, that exact same hat pattern last week! (I'm sure your friend will appreciate it, very much, btw.).

I don't have any black wool, though....

Linda said...

What lovely pictures! The hat looks good too.

Seahorse said...

Please don't lead me into the temptation that is Etsy! Emily's work is really interesting - as you might have spotted, I have a mild interest (!) in all that is kitsch and her work is reminsicent of the 'big eye' art from the sixties/seventies. The 'Alice' series is great.

I'm sorry about your friend. Life sucks sometimes. The hat is beautiful.

Caroline M said...

I'm sorry about your friend, I hope she finds comfort in the hat. It's not just about warmth but knowing that someone thought of you and gave you their time.

Black yarn - ideal for summer knitting on those long evenings full of glowing sunlight. Oh, how I laugh!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your friend :( I love the hat and I hope your friend loves it too.

Anonymous said...

What Caroline said. Comforting thoughts.....

I like your pictures too! Happy knitting.

Sarah said...

I too am sorry about your friend, a lovely hat for her though. I find it is helpful to be able to knit a little comfort in situations where it is hard to do anything else.

The pictures are really lovely and I have pulled myself back out of Etsy with difficulty!

Donna said...

Sorry to hear about your friend, the hat is lovely. I wish i was in a position to make one for my sister-in-law who has lost her hair due to Chemo.
Emily's pictures are wonderful. Very expressive.
Black wool, hmmm, I really don't like knitting with it, very hard to see the stitches.

Anonymous said...

I know the feeling of knitting wintery things in July. It's all jumpers, scarve and blankets here. Hope the friend enjoys the hat. x