Tuesday 11 September 2012

Bits and Pieces.

First of all - Congratulations to Andy Murray on winning his first Grand Slam title. That and the Olympics - such a boost to his confidence. I am so glad for him.

Secondly - The Olympics - that wonderful parade and the 'feel-good factor' it has left. If only it could continue and we could all feel good right through the Winter.

My friend has lent me the latest Ronald Blythe book - 'at the Yeoman's House'. So far I have only read a chapter but already I am enthralled. Regular readers of my blog will know that I am a keen enthusiast of his writing and have most of his books. This book is really about his house - Bottengom's - and about its building, the people who have lived there, and the surrounding farm lands and their working.

Today that same friend has heard of the death of a very old friend in Shetland, and the two things combined to make me think of how - as each generation dies out - things die with them which can never again be recaptured.

Blythe talks about talking to an old villager before he died and hearing about a farm in the surrounding Suffolk/Essex countryside where they had stabling for fourteen horses - mostly pure bred Suffolks. Even their names were traditional - Blossom, Bowler, Captain, Matchett, Diamond, Duke, Boxer, Kitty, Gypsy and Ginger. Now, of course, that stable is empty and is falling into disrepair. The same has happened all over the country - some have fallen down, some have been converted into state of the art homes.

I smiled at the names of the horses. When I recently went round a National Trust property where the local Police horses are stabled - we saw their names on the doors - Pete, Dave, Jim to name but three.

And in the case of my friend's old friend who has died in Shetland, what has died with her is her use of colour in the wonderful Shetland patterns she knitted. The patterns may have survived, but her use of colour will have largely died with her, apart from the garments her friends and family have kept.

And that brings me nicely to Kaffe Fassett and his use of colour. I am intending crocheting an Afghan blanket this Winter and have first to establish the colours I wish to incorporate. The choice is hard. I have borrowed one of Kaffe's books and I don't think it has made the decision any easier because as I turn each page I find another combination I love. I have photographed bits and pieces of the colours here and there, to use as a decision making tool. Then I decided to iron my scarves (yes it is getting to that time of the year) and found one in purples, mustards and greens - and I love that too. So I have photographed that. After this blog it is decision time and time to go on the internet and get ordering the wool.

18 comments:

MorningAJ said...

I don't have trouble choosing colours. I'm a huge fan of all shades of blue/grey, and black and red mixes. Furnishings are mostly sludgy browns/creams and bedding is black and white (often geometric). Perhaps I should try something brighter!

Have you considered basing your choices on one of your favourite paintings? Most of the classics seem to have colour themes (if I remember a history of art course I did many years ago) and you might find sourcing and matching the wools an interesting challenge.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for that AJ - I have indeed a favourite painting - I shall photograph the colours in that this minute and add it to my collection.

Reader Wil said...

The Olympics and the Paralympics were great and good for the world.
Thank you for the weekly walk now.Your part of the country is so beautiful.
Thank you for your visit and kind comment!

angryparsnip said...

Try looking at your three most favorite colors. For me it is the blue sky, white clouds and the lime green Palo Verde trees plus the purple of twilight.
There are so many beautiful colors out there it is always such a hardchoice. You can make yourself crazy.

Lovely post today about your friends.

cheers, parsnip

Heather said...

I was too tired to wait up for the result of Andy Murray's match but as I went up to bed I said 'You can do it, you've got a gold medal'! Re the Olympics, I feel exactly the same - we musn't let all that 'feel-good factor' just trickle away.
Ronald Blythe's new book sounds delightful - I must try to find a copy.
I love Kaffe Fassett's use of colour. He is very brave with it, but it always works.

Irene said...

Crocheting an Afghan sounds like a wonderful way to spend the winter days, especially when it's done in your favorite color combinations. You are wise to choose carefully because you will have to love the end result and be proud of it. I think you have inspired me to try and do the same. Thanks!

Cloudia said...

" as each generation dies out - things die with them which can never again be recaptured. "
Should be carved in marble!
Indeed.
Companionable and worthy as usual, Weaver. Thanks


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John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Normal service resumed last night with an unsatisfactory performance from our footballers!
Must get hold of that book.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Normal service resumed last night with an unsatisfactory performance from our footballers!
Must get hold of that book.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for your visit. Please call again.

Dartford Warbler said...

Using the colours of a favourite painting - what an inspired idea.

The traditional names for horses and ponies are still around. I know a Duchess, a Ginger, a Gypsy and a Queenie, to name a few. Maybe the police riders chose Dave, Pete etc for a bit of street cred ?!

Robin Mac said...

I love Kaffe Fassett's work, and i do wish I had learnt to crochet as a young girl. both my mother and my grandmother knitted beautifully, but did not crochet so I never learnt! That book sounds interesting. Cheers

Elizabeth said...

Sounds an excellent project !
Yes, color choice is vital --but what fun it can be to choose.
I make my little hats using lots of odds and ends and the most surprising things 'work'.
My friend Frances cityviewscountrydreams.blogspot.com is an outstanding knitter crocheter. I'm sure she would help you if necessary.

ArcticFox said...

we could have all had a colourful vote!!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I was delighted for Andy Murray too! May it be the first grand slam of many (or a few at least!).

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for visiting my blog. Re the colour - after reading all round the subject, I have decided to go for the red/purple colours and be bold. I am doing this for something to enjoy doing during the cold weather and I think those colours will help to make the project more enjoyable. I will keep you informed.

ChrisJ said...

So glad to see Andy Murray win the Olympics. He worked hard for it and I was cheering him on.

Dave King said...

MorningAJ's advice seems good to me. Really liked this post.