Mary x-mass to you all

Taditional Art not to be lost

Today I want to show you something very special, the "Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco". Cusco, this region of Peru near Machu Pichu is keeper of the old textile traditions of the precolumbian people. The indians here (do not like calling them like that because they are not, nor aborigines because those are australin, but can not find a better word) learn in their early childhood the Art. Much is being forgotten, for example the process of natural dying because of the introduction of industrial chemical methods, also the techniques are getting lost because the big comerce does not have place for complicated stuff that takes time and therefore money. Anyhow, the "Centro de Textiles" works together with some villages that are working towards preservation and revival. The results are beautiful. Please look at the beautiful hats, mostly made without pattern just out of the memory (try to do that yourself!!). Just worth looking into it. Special: jung boys and Men knit and wave too.

Wool works

So I did finished it!...only to be able to start the next. Does

anybody know the masses of a new born! How do I make something for someone I can not take the masses of! Please help!

EZ patterns are truly fun to knit and one actually can read to it!! Did try it. I read the history of the japanese language printed form wikipedia.

And what about spinning? Yes, the Humanus spinning wheel is wonderful! No noise an very fast if you want or slower if you prefer. You just have to turn the whorl. You can use any of both feet and lefthanded spinners are invited too. Nice, very nice... Elias has tried it already and is doing quite well on it.

The Postman rings twice and.....Humanus is here!!!!

I have been searching for this spinning wheel for so long!!! Humanus, made in Switzerland. Truly expensiv but as I have heard over an over one of the best. Very easy to use. I'll try it and tell you more about it. Found it in http://www.ricardo.ch/ for little money. Was bought in 1982 but looks pefect and as I can see it works.

If everything goes well I'be selling my ashford traditional, which is also quite fine but I do not have enought space for two so... watch out.

and...

I have been on this Kaffee Fasset for an eternity. I'm making it for my husband who actualy chose the most dificult model for men in "Kaffe Knits again". I will not do the back like the front, it will be a sourprise for all of you, just wait.

and..

A friend is expecting a baby due for February, not much time left and if you consider that most of my girfriends are over 40 the chance I'll get to knit baby things are getting smaller and smalller so let's do it right I thoght and grabed my Zimmerman evergreen.

Pardon me I didn't knit that for you

Mason & Dikson just did it again! Who knows their book will understand how serious they are about this song. Great fun!!!

Waiting for the Monsoon

For the ones interested in the slow clothes movement, this is a quite good podcast.

The crafters revival is coming and also increesing respect for all handmade. I have observed that slowly the people get to understand that crafters do not need to be compared with the industy and are no longer seen as a cheap and unefficient option to the industrial production. Crafts are slow because they are thoghtful. It sometimes needs slowliness to get the best out of something.

The cat, the wool, and the pan

Our cat seams to love wool. This was alpaca, handspun. I bought it from chilean highland indians.

I had to wait until Nube got tired and finally went away for his nap. After that I couldn't find him anymore. Thought he might be ofended but then I found him sitting very happy in one of the kitchen cabins.

The Last Knit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM

Stegosaurus Knitting

Adapted from a design from Lucinda Guy I made this Stego for my 5 year old Elias. He adores it ever since. Was not very difficult but he's got quite a big head so I had to redo the neckpart.

The Wednesday Night Knitting Club

The Wednesday
Night Knitting
Club

Wer möchte mit mir in Ennetbaden für alle Strick-Interessierte einen Strick-
Club auf die Beine stellen?
Wir treffen uns jeden
zweiten Mittwochabend des
Monats ab 19:30 Uhr und bis
ca. 22 Uhr treffen.
Im Gelben-Pavillon (Tagesstrukturen).

The Natural Knitter

I just love this book. The name sais it all. You get very useful info about natural fibers, ever pineapple! an for each of the presented fibers also a project. The photos are beautiful and inspireing.