Curtains. Until the other day, they were not a nemesis.
As a bit of background, when we new windows were installed last summer, the lounge curtains had to come down. I planned to get them cleaned or, even, possibly, to get new curtains altogether. The curtains had been very nice curtains once, but after multiple owners (they came with the house), they had seen better days. After being taken down, they were piled on the floor, then pushed into a corner, and finally taken to the dry cleaners in the autumn. It was about three weeks before they were ready, due to their size and weight. By this time, Gordon had gone into hospital. Expecting he’d be back home by Christmas, I thought how nice it would be if the curtains were up when he came home. They would have to come down again when the painter came to paint the bare wood surrounding the new windows, but I thought it was worth the effort. But of course, Gordon never did come home from hospital, so the curtains didn’t go up.
View from the end of the path
At the end of January, the painter started work, and is now nearly finished. The lounge was finished on Friday, and we re-installed the new, uber-sturdy curtain rail. Saturday afternoon I rehung the drapes, using the painter’s stepladder, which he had kindly left for my use. Being both taller, sturdier, and less wobbly than mine, it made the task easier. The curtains still don’t look the best, due to missing curtain hooks, so there are unexpected bulges. But they slide silkily smoothly on the new curtain rail, compared to the old plastic curtain rail, which was not really up to scratch for supporting big heavy curtains.
More snowdrops
As I was descended the ladder, I remembered my initial intentions for hanging the curtains, and understandably it made me very sad indeed – that Gordon wouldn’t be here to enjoy the new blinds in the lounge, nor the newly hung curtains, nor the new windows, nor the immaculate paintwork. He had been quite pleased with the blinds, which he’d specifically requested. The lounge faces south, and at certain times of year the sun is blinding. With his eyesight difficulties, the blinds were the perfect solution. So now when I go into the lounge, I look at the windows, and think how Gordon would have appreciated and enjoyed the rather swish combination of new windows, freshly painted surrounds, new blinds and cleaned and rehung curtains.
Ovine Indecision
The gansey is coming along, and every week there’s a better sense of the glory of this dark pink shade. The body is only a few inches longer than last week, but even so the length above the ribbing is nearly halfway done. I expect progress to slow significantly when I get to the yoke and start the stitch pattern. Although I knit more quickly than Gordon – using the continental style – I am knitting less in terms of time. But one advantage of doing miles of plain knitting is that my continental knitting is getting more efficient, so I’m going even faster. Hopefully this will carriy over into the stitch pattern, where maybe I can get faster at purling too.
The Norwegian purl is significantly faster, especially since you don’t have to transfer the yarn to the front and back again. Arne & Carlos have an excellent video with Carlos demonstrating relatively slowly. I had to adapt it to my own knitting style, but it works great!
Thanks for the suggestion, Cam. I’ve had a go, it’s not for me. I find my method just as quick and less effort. But I won’t totally give up on it, I expect I’ll get better with practice!
With using continental method I did see a little film on YouTube but done Russian way: knitting into the back of the stitch and I am quite sure that the purl stitch was demonstrated. Hope this helps. The colour definitely shows more so ardua per Astra and onto the yoke. Enjoy your memories. ( excuse Latin if not correct).
My Latin is very poor but I’m guessing it means ‘To Infinity and Beyond!’ Or ‘Reach for the Stars’, at a guess.
How many years does it take to get quicker at Continental than English throwing? It takes me about 12 weeks to knit a gansey and I have 3 more to do this year! Wish I could speed up so I can knit my Fair Isle scarf!
Hi Rita. That’s a good question and I can’t honestly say. It’s been about 40 years since I taught myself to knit Continental. I was describing it to a friend the other day as more of a crochet type of action. If you hold the yarn in your left hand when crocheting, you’ll have an idea of the movements.
Dear Margaret, maybe you could try the Norvegian purl,there are several tutorials on the net. We in Finland use the Continental way of knitting, I always admired those who use the English Throwing style.
Thurso is progressing and to see the pattern will be very interesting. The picture of it in Raes book is so dark that I could not see the details.
Hi Judit. Gordon’s knit it before, here: http://www.ganseys.com/gallery/gordons-ganseys/scotland/caithness/thomson-of-thurso/ and here: http://www.ganseys.com/gallery/gordons-ganseys/scotland/caithness/thomson-of-thurso-ii/
It is exciting to see your knitting growing. And very interesting to hear about the Norwegian purl. I have looked up the video of Arne and Carlos already – the demonstration is clear, but it looks as though it might take a while to get used to it. For this relatively inexperienced knitter, anyway.
Thank you for the advice after my last post a few weeks ago. Very pertinent – I will remember next time.
Your thoughts on new windows and curtains are also touching a cord. My mother has just had windows fitted and now will need to think about decorating and maybe getting curtains. There has been much talk about what Dad would have done / said / thought and it is now almost 11 years since he died. Those that are important stay with us and the memories are comforting.
I see things that my mother would have enjoyed and it’s been 23 years. The memories stay, the sadness fades.
Have you read Aaron Lewis’s blog at gansey dot blogspot dot com? His method sounds interesting, especially the intermediate stages. My knitting is slower than anybody else’s but it’s fun to experiment with other methods.
Please enjoy your beautiful redone lounge.