Monday, February 27, 2012

carnival

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We saw the grand parade of the Limassol carnival and I particularly loved the dancing gypsies (above) and the owls [at 05:52] in this clip. Was also impressed by the well made Cypriot folk dresses [at 00:23].

To celebrate green Monday, first day after the "meat" festival, we had a vego lunch. But for the rest of the fifty day lent we won't stay much "orthodox" with small children.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

some cypriot handicrafting

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jacket2
pompoms
Knitted fabric is slowly growing while my thoughts are wandering planlessly. I'm knitting on another cardi.

This is the process with my two year old: Any minute when Eddie is calling for my attention I lay down my yarn blob, resuming knitting, and the planlessly wandering thoughts, as soon as his mind is again focused on something.

On my mind lately I've had crafting with a local twist. I went to the Municipal Folk Art Museum in Limassol for some inspiration. I saw pompoms, bobbles, embroidery, lace. Graphical and colourful. Silk, lace and cotton. A lot of vests and table cloths seems to have survived the 20th century.

Oh, and the museum floor. I really like those old Cypriot floors.
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Made Leo a vest before new year. It's a Pebble, with some modifications. I sized up using larger needles. It's a cosy little chest warmer. Actually I think big sister likes the vest more than him. I used leftover yarn from husbands cobblestone. In the background is a IKEA Hemnes cupboard, for my craft materials.

Somehow related links:
Traditional dresses of Cyprus.
Medieval silkworks
.
Beautifully patinated necklaces by Tinctory, and her blog.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

fascinated by knitting

Still lemon season
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Lemon trees are still bearing fruit everywhere, so we're enjoying the local lemons. Sponge cake made with lemon zest is one favourite. Best enjoyed still warm together with a cup of plain black tea with honey and a lemon slice.

Sometimes I fascinate about the art of producing a knitted garment. The thing that fascinates me most is how little equipment is needed to produce something so functional. Some yarn and a pair of straight pegs. Of course the knitting time too is a relevant factor, probably best described by the art "More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid" by Mike Kelley (via billigt-garn, in Swedish). But that is a whole different chapter.

The cardigan I'm proudly presenting is the recently finished Atelier by knit pattern designer Heidi Kirrmaier. Knit in Madelinetosh's Pasmina, a beatiful hand coloured yarn in a merino, silk and cashmere mix. I enjoyed knitting with the yarn and really appreciated the geniousness of the pattern. As I run out of yarn, the pocket linings where partially knit with a contrasting yarn.