unseasonably warm

I can't write 'unseasonably warm weather' without laughing. Years ago Simon uttered this phrase in all seriousness - yet it was so completely out of keeping with his usual verbal style. No doubt he'd read it in a book once (another of his favourite sayings for which he used to be teased mercilessly by his friends because he used to find all his nuggets of useless knowledge in recondite books) or read it in a newspaper. But it sounded such an old phrase for a young man to say that I couldn't help creasing up. So now we use 'unseasonably' very, very ironically. And to make each other laugh.

But the fact of the matter is that it's been very hot here for a few days now, and yet I'm still knitting socks. It turns out, though, that socks are the perfect things to knit in the heat. They don't cover you up and made you swelter, there's a nice flow of air around the dpns, your hands don't have to hold thick, woolly pieces which make them overheat and, if you are knitting ultra-simple socks, you can drink chilled white wine as you go along without the worry of losing the plot or spoiling your stripes.

I see the yarns for some forthcoming socks are pretty hot, too. Irene who is a very valued friend has given me two skeins of the most amazing sock yarn - 'Cherry Blossoms' (second from bottom) to celebrate spring in Brooklyn and 'Tulips' (third from top) to celebrate spring in my garden. (They are from the very aptly named Sunshine Yarns.) When I was in Purl recently I picked out some Koigu yarns without referring directly to these yarns and was delighted to see that I'd connected the colours perfectly (to my mind).

I've been reading a little in the unseasonable warmth, too. (Still laughing) 

Tweed by Nancy Thomas is a beautiful book (fab cover photo of balls of wonderful tweedy yarn) with a great introduction about the history of tweed. I've always loved tweed yarns with their flecks and slubs and they remind me of the first proper coat I had when I was eight; although it appeared to be black and white, in reality there were all sorts of colours in the weave and I was fascinated by how you could see tiny dots of green and red and yellow close-up but not from afar. Plus this book contains the most fantastic pattern for a fully-fashioned 1940s-style sweater ('Scottish Isles Pullover') which I swear will make me look like a film star on her weekend off...

I absolutely love this book. Knitalong is a brilliantly warm and affectionate and inspiring look at the whole idea of simply knitting together - for fun, for a purpose, for the sake of it. There are some wonderful archive photos, plenty of great patterns, some heart-warming stories and a deep connection with knitters everywhere.

Knit Knit is another inspirational book. I have to say that when I first saw it, I was quite amazed that a knitting book could look like this. Call me naive, if you like. But I think this is an incredibly far-sighted book which challenges perceptions of knitting. You may very well go back to your comparatively tame knitting afterwards, but not without a sense of having had your yarn horizons expanded dramatically.

Similarly, I may never actually knit anything in More Big Girls Knits, but I really enjoy seeing such excellent, flattering and well-excuted designs. This is a great book - highly recommended.

 

And, of course, it pleases me enormously to see Bazaar Style on my study chair with my yarns. It's full of mouth-watering photos by Debi Treloar (who took the extra photos in my first book) and is full of colour and warmth. How nice to know my taste in interior decoration matches my taste in hot socks.

Comments

[Claire]

I don't know if you have ever been to the Brighton Festival, but I think you would love wondering round the Artist's Open Houses dotted all over Brighton (100s of houses, with art for sale, all media) It's really worth it. No pressure to buy either. http://www.aoh.org.uk/2008/
2 more weekends left, open at 11am.

[lucy]

What a beautiful post. I lover the book Bazaar Style, I would like to saunter round one of those houses wearing your socks!

[Hazel]

I am really looking forward to getting More Big Girl Knits, as the first one was so good.

Those sock yarns are lovely! I am knitting very autumnal coloured socks at the moment, but at least they will match the season I wear them, if not the season I knit them

[Hannah]

The sock yarn is so bright and cheery - I can't wait to be done with school (just today and tomorrow left!) so that I can get back to my knitting!

[Sue]

What a beautiful post- love the yarns - love the colours - love to read the new books .

[Mrs. H.]

It's good to see someone else who thinks that socks are great warm-weather knitting. I am on a sock kick recently myself, but I have switched from knitting wool socks to cooler things like cotton or corn yarns. Happy sock knitting!

[Mrs C]

I'm reading Knit Knit at the moment and I totally understand what you mean when you say that it's not like anything else! I cam across it in a bookshop last week and can't put it down!

[Rachel L]

Those yarns are mouthwateringly gorgeous! They made me literally gasp with delight! If only I could knit socks...

[catherine]

What beautiful colours (and combinations) for socks. I haven't yet ventured into sock knitting (usually swap to crochet squares for summer), but one day I will... My Nanna knitted the most beautiful socks, but never in colours like these!

[mathea]

That yarn is gorgeous - lovely sherbet colours that you almost feel you can taste. In fact that first picture brings to mind a photo from your first (blogged about, anyway..) trip to New York. There was this window full of sweets...? I must look that up and see if I've got it right.

[Nicky]

Whaw ,these colors are just too good to be true..You could eat them!!

[yoel]

Thanks for the quick book looky-loos! All of that yarn is so springy and wonderful!

[irene]

sweet, sweet, jane! i can't wait to see the modeled shots of what will be wonderfully coordinated socks.
xoxo

[Michele]

All that color! Beautiful!

[willow]

More and more books to put on my must read list. I am now easily into the 22nd Century, time-wise, to read them all.

I do hope you will 'spill the beans' soon on your new busy schedule. I can't wait to hear.

I am going to be visiting London and a few outlying cities around during the last half of June. I'm wondering about good yarn shops. Any suggestions?

[Kat]

I've been wanting to learn to knit socks for a while now but seeing those colors has totally inspired me to go find a class to take!!!

[Rachel]

The yarn is beautiful! I've been wanting to check out the Knitalong book, I've heard good things about it.

[Yulia Crystal]

another perfect thing to knit/crochet in the heat is jewellery! I'm not really speaking from personal experience (yet!) since its a well advanced autumn here in Australia, and I have just (re-)discovered crocheting recently, so the summer heat was a distant memory by then, but I am sure it would work perfectly when the summer returns

I do also have to say Thank you, Jane, for keeping up with your journal. I found you while searching for info about crochet, and your writing/photography has been giving me a special joy since then. I find your blog an utterly comforting and inspirational read, and in you I discovered a wonderful lunch buddy during the week =) Thanks bunches!

[Ruth]

What truly mouth watering colours, they really match our wonderful weather at the moment.

[Norma]

Ha! Our weather people use that phrase all the time. Unseasonably warm, or unseasonably cold. Just plain unseasonable temperatures.

[Janice]

I have knitknit too and have been inspired by the featured artists' use of knitting/textiles. Have you seen 'illustration: play'. There's less knitting but oodles of textile/embroidery/lace work used by illustrators and other artists. Another cross-over read.

[Michaela]

ooooooooh the colors! What a delightful treat for me to come to work to! And while the yarns shown in the Sunshine Yarn link are lovely, yours are magical ^_^

I am inspired to knit socks this whole summer long!

[Anne]

Dear Jane Flowers (that's how I call you now and it is perfectly apt) I so enjoy your blog. I do not know how to knit and probably never will, but for whatever reason I enjoy your writing very much. Not sure why I would enjoy reading about knitting except that you seem to knit homey (is that a word?) everyday wisdom into your daily musings. And your photos are delicious. That must be the draw also- I love your photography. They infuse joy into my day. Thank you.

[mare]

I LOVE that yarn! And i agree that knitting and crocheting are an all weather activity-you just have to adjust the kind of projects you are working on! The afghans and baby blankets go away for a while in warmer weather and out come the more compact projects like granny squares and baby toys and hats! :) mare

[Irene]

I have seen those books before, especially the Knitalong one many times lately, but it's the first time I read a personal account.
I have in my library and use extensively Children's Spaces by Judith Wilson. Ms. Treloar's photography is a seal of quality. Besides, I loved photography in your book.
Enjoy!

[gillie]

I have been dipping in and out of knitalong for a while, isn't it so inspiring? I love the Japenese poem pillow.

Those colours are edible, all sweetshoppy and full of fun.

I've not seen Bazaar Style before, but it looks right up my street - thank you:)

[Linnea]

Those yarn names are PERFECT! I wish I could say that the weather here was unseasonably warm....but I'd have to say that it is unseasonably COLD and rainy. I'd welcome the sunshine... but in the meantime, it is perfect soup weather, and it's almost dinner time :o) Take care & thanks for sharing those book suggestions!

[Kathy DiGi]

Thanks for the tip about "Tweed." In yarn or fabric, I've never met one I didn't like.

[mindfulbeader]

What gorgeous, GORGEOUS candy colours. My daughter's in Germany for the summer and has promised to bring me back some of their variegated sock wool for my birthday. I can't wait to see what colours she picks!

[Cherry Tree Lane]

Such lovely pictures--the color is marvelous....

[linda]

Thanks so much for the link to sunshine yarns. The colors suit me perfectly - can't wait to get my first order.

[Siri]

Oh dear, I know I used that phrase in a post just a couple of days ago, balking for a moment too, even as I typed it...leaving it in anyways, I think. I'm afraid to even go look back at it now.
Your book "reviews" here have me quite curious to see some of them in person.

[jennifer Ramos]

I have this book, its so BEAUTIFUL.

Jen Ramos
'100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com