Just-spring and Old Lace

This is Just-spring around here--from sunny 80 degrees F two days ago to mid-40s and blustery with chill-you-to-the-bone rain today. The best I can offer is last fall's leaves and mossy muck. But there is hope--flowers are poking up; we're on the upswing.

Borders are sewn on the wonky quilt and are looking much better. The backing fabric is seamed and ready to go. But the latest setback (and it seems that there always has to be a setback) is that I have no quilt batting the right size. This will entail a 40 mile round-trip drive to remedy. And that's not going to happen today as I have to represent the library at a business function tonight (and miss my monthly Seams group get-together too, I might add).

New books:

I finally received my copy of Lace Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd.

(After putting in a pre-pub order from Amazon, I was not happy to see it in stores weeks and weeks before I received my copy.)

I have to say I was not as blown away by this book as I expected to be. Many of the projects are garments and I just don't care for many of them. I don't like shrugs at all, at least not for me, and I doubt I will ever make a knitted tank or camisole top or leg warmers. I don't immediately see several projects I want to make, as was the case with Scarf Style. This cover sweater is interesting, and after this past year's Christmas knitting, I think I have mastered the feather and fan. But would it look as good in real life? Not so sure.

BUT--sound the trumpets--Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby!!

I am in love. Ms. Sowerby has studied 19th century knitting manuals and has puzzled through the mire of arcane Victorian knitting directions (or lack of same), transcribing and adapting them, and presents a wealth of gorgeous and doable projects. Just the photos of her old knitting books made my heart beat faster.

And she uses the old words, like fichu. The idea of a young 21st century woman sauntering along wearing a fichu, is just too charming. Many, many scarves and shawls from the approachable to the way-beyond.

She even details how to make your knitting look old--a concept I just love, although it never would have occurred to me that I needed or wanted to make my knitting look old. At least it hadn't occurred to me yet. But I always have loved the look of quilts made to look old. Antique-looking knitting would be the next step.

It has been such a happy surprise to me that I have gotten into this kind of knitting. A few years ago, I would have never guessed...

OK. I'm writing this at work. This morning is Preschool Storytime and a gigantic pile of picture books is tottering in our Returns area, waiting to be checked in. I'd best get to it.