Bohus Stickning

Bohuslan is an area of Sweden I have visited twice over the last 5 years. Having a Swedish sister-in-law helps!

 

Since Scandinavia has such a long tradition in Colour Knitting, it is to be expected that different regions have different designs. So I will focus on Bohus Knitting since I have a connection here.

Bohus Stickning (knitting in Swedish) started in the 1930s and 1940s by one woman’s attempt to provide relief work for local woman during the depression. Her name was Emma Jacobsson.

 

Their designs vary greatly, however my observation over all is that they have rather intricate patterns, yet are generally only 2 colours per row and a max of 3 colours at times. Patterns are often small and repetitious so easy to keep up with.

These Swatches are typical colour work produced during this time, and show very different yet unique styles. Their unique styles are a combination of various designers from the region. After the war, the industry changed as with other countries and the small cottage industries developed and become the produces of fine knitwear and marketed internationally.

 

 

More examples have been digitized on this link:

http://digitaltmuseum.se/things/mnsterritning/S-BM/UM031533/gallery?js=1&query=bohus+stickning&search_context=1&page=2&count=121&pos=42

There is also now a book(in English) to help preserve and spread the word about these unique designs. (Also Pictured). The book is half history with pictures of the garments showing their style and then the later half is garment patterns.

 

What I also love about their designs is that the pattern work is not just on the yoke neck line or all over. Some patterns run vertically along the band of a cardigan, and my favourite on the cowl collar of a jumper!

 

Lastly on my trip last year I visited the Uddavella Museum, and was lucky enough to see some of the garments on display, I took a sneaking photo on my phone of one style I really loved (turned out blurred so karma I guess) … but it is pictured in the book, no pattern, but with the information provided I am sure I can adapt…. you guessed it, one with a cowl collar). This I will not start until next year, but I will post it eventually!

 

 

 

My Completed Icelandic Jumper

So I couldn't wait, I tried out the Icelandic Jumper Pattern Generator.. and I am impressed!. My only criticism is the sleeves, as mature women(when did I get so old?) my arms are not as slender as in my youth so a little snug. I thought to... alter it at the time, but decided against it and wanted to fully review the pattern 'as is' for the largest size. Still fits, and I plan to get loads of use of my new jumper, next Winter..... or should I just plan a trip to Iceland now? (I wish).

I must say after working on the Yarn Art project, using acrylic yarn, it was wonderful to get back to pure wool!

Here is the link to the Pattern Generator again!http://prjonamunstur.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/hello-world/

Knitting through the Ages

It is my hope that traditional hand knitting will be a skill passed down from generation to generation for years to come. However it certainly is not as wide spread a skill these days. Of course, if hand knitting becomes a rarity, commercial knits will continue in the form of jersey, lycra and many other types of fabrics of a knitted construction.

Fortunately, the dying of the art of hand knitting, is far beyond my time on earth, just as knitting has been long before many of my ancestor’s time on earth.

One of the earliest known examples of true knitting was cotton socks with stranded knit color patterns found in Egypt from the end of the first millennium AD. Since the pattern is rather intricate, and they are made from cotton (prone to degrade over time), one would expect that knitting was around much earlier, especially in its most simple one colour form.

 

Cotton socks found in Egypt are some of the earliest knitted pieces. From L to R: Textile Museum, ca. 1000 – 1200 AD; Victorian & Albert Museum, ca. 1100 – 1300 AD; Textile Museum, ca. 1300 AD

Earlier finds, that have the appearance of knitting date back to 300 AD, and are made using a Scandinavian technique call Nålebinding (Needle Binding), this is a great topic for another day!

Yes, knitting has been around for a long time and has been featured in many ways through the ages.

Through Painting and Drawings – Pictured is a painting by Meister Bertram, said to be the oldest depiction of knitting in art (late 14th century), and is in the collection of the Hamburg Kunsthalle Museum.

In Movies and TV – Here are some famous actresses getting to work on their knitting. Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) knitting on ‘All In The Family’…. the later may be showing my age, but it was a funny show.

 

Actresses have been known to pass the time on the set behind the scenes knitting too, and recently too! Pictured here is Sarah Jessica Parker.

In print… on Stamps! I love these, not just as the wife of a stamp collector, but as it shows how a country has recognized a past time that has become unique to its own nation.

On a final note, knitting is not just women. Men have had a history with knitting too. Shepherds and fishermen feature in the fully history of knitting, and there are still some men (and known to me) that knit!

So as long as we keep loving knitwear it will prevail, and hopefully the youth of today will be keen to continue to learn the craft!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Much of my time of late has been creating Storybook characters for a 'Yarn Art' Event in our local Community!

Our group including our local community centres, local primary schools, our earth carer's garden and our local aged care residents, have been working towards this goal.
 
I have been working with the primary school my boy's attended and we chose 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. Along with out main characters, we have also created, the food the caterpillar eats his way through, and the cocoon. All of these will form a trail from the school past our elderly friends and then onto our local park.

Other school and organisations are recreating, in yarn and other bits, characters from the books; The Rainbow Fish', 'Alice in Wonderland' & 'The Lorax'.

Our event is running through October to Celebrate Seniors Month. Also during October is Children's week, which is when our food trail will be installed. The Children from the primary school will then follow the trail with a special program designed by the teachers, for a bit of fun and learning!