Dear Mr. Postman,
I want to apologise if I had offended you in any way. I solemnly swear to cancel my multiple subscriptions to LL Bean, la Redoute, IKEA, Habitat and anyone else that provide catalogues in excess of 250 pages. Clearly, I can survive with 1 copy of each of these as it is unnecessary to have one in the bedroom, study, bathroom and sitting room. I also promise to stop getting myself onto every conceivable junk mailing list in the world, clearly I have been insensitive to your needs. I understand that these actions alone should reduce your mail load by 50%.
Please, if you would just tell me what I need to do, so that I may redeem myself. It is very cruel to continue to punish me by with holding my mail. Surely, you must feel my pain by now? I promise to change, I will be a better person, just as long as I can have my wool... and my Winter Interweave.
Sincerely, Polly
Intarsia
I recently gave a few of my closest friends, access to my wool room. They didn't spend long in there, possibly due to fear of sudden movements causing an avalanche. So, they missed seeing an examples of 'Polly Does Intarsia'.
A long time, ago, I was a fearless knitter. I would regularly attempt (note, I did not say finish), 3 skein garments. I feel in love with this from the Annabel Fox Wessex Collection. It remains one of my favourite books, as the motifs are just simply gorgeous.
You can't get a sense of how wonderful the design is, without looking at the motifs close up.
The knight, on his charging steed. I never could stop the edge from rolling and I blocked and pressed it.
The griffin, proud and true. My absolute favourite motif.
The ship bound for the next battle.
The twisted braid collar was the perfect finishing touch.
I finished this many years ago, in 1995. I still recall knitting this on the overnight train from Paris to Florence. What was I thinking? There must had been over 12 colours in all the motifs. This was not a very portable project, fortunately, none of the yarn escaped.
What a great job you did of this intarsia - I love the design. I have always been scared to death of trying intarsia, though I really enjoy fairisle...... perhaps one day I will get over this fear and have a little Intarsia Adventure, you have inspired me to be braver.
Posted by: Lydia at November 6, 2003 08:31 PMThis is beautiful, POLLY DOES INTARSIA, and she does it VERY WELL.
Get rid of those demons, pick up those daisies and produce a wonderful garment for your niece.
I was sort of toying with the idea of volunteering to sew in your ends, but having seen this beautiful sweater, you certainly don't need support from me.
Go for it, you can do it...
I love the Wessex Collection too and have often drooled over that jumper. I'd love to see it at Liberty's! I'm doing the Star Quilt from same book at the moment - slowly!
I never said that I couldn't do intarsia, I just don't go it well. The sleeves are too wide for the armholes and I carried the main colours through all the motifs (a big no-no). I do love this design and made it for my husband. I could wear it to Liberty on Thursday, but it's a little big for me... and Lesley .. great minds think a like.
Posted by: Polly at November 4, 2003 10:44 PMPolly, this is a wonderful jumper. I also knitted it years ago and it has remained an all time favourite. Long gone from me though - my sister took it home with her to NZ but I know it is still around and being worn from time to time. I also liked the Heraldic Dogs (is that a KF?) but never found anyone who wanted it knitted up!
Posted by: Lesley at November 4, 2003 08:40 PMOh my! My boyfriend loves historical fiction and fantasy novels, and I love knitting. Somehow our hobbies have never matched up well, until I saw this! How inspiring...it's really well done.
Posted by: Heidi at November 4, 2003 06:28 PMPolly, This is fantastic! I too love the symbolism on this one. The daisys should be soooo easy for you after this.
Posted by: Carol at November 4, 2003 04:28 PMHey, thought you couldn't *do* intarsia. Liar liar yarn on fire! :) WOW! The griffin is my fave too, it was my uni mascot. Others had bears and eagles. I had a griffin. Go figure.
And, please, do not call it "junk mail". Those of us in the biz prefer to have it called "direct marketing or direct mail." After all, that is what pays for YARN! :)
I second that! That shouldn't be hidden away. Worst case, if it and you don't fit together anymore, give it to someone who appreciates it or frame it and hang it on the wall.
Posted by: Thomas at November 4, 2003 11:36 AMApparently the postal strike has now finished. So we should start getting post again soon, only they say it could be up to 3 weeks before its all back to normal again.
Posted by: kerrie at November 4, 2003 10:12 AMAnd why are you not wearing this masterpiece of intarsia? 'I can't do intarsia' - codswallop! I expect to see it at Libertys on Thursday.........
Posted by: Jill at November 4, 2003 08:49 AMYou big fibber ! Seems that you can do intarsia perfectly well.
Gather up your fearless self confidence and knit those daisies.
After you've been to visit my wool room I want to visit yours,Deal ?
x
Posted by: Emma at November 4, 2003 01:07 AMPolly, this is simply fantastic! What gorgeous motifs and knitted so perfectly too. Remind me never to show you any of my Intarsia, I couldn't hold a candle to you. Surely you don't hide this in the wool room? It ought to be worn at every opportunity, you would make every knitter jealous.
Posted by: Louise at November 3, 2003 11:44 PM