...and five good things on wednesday

1. The crochet

The more I look at them, the more I like and appreciate old-fashioned crocheted 'granny square' blankets. It seems they appear everywhere these days - I even spotted one in a scene in Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (no doubt an acrylic number as the film was made in1964). This could be because I'm noticing them for the first time or maybe because people becoming far less apologetic about the wonderful mismatches of fibre colour and displaying their previously hidden gems now that crochet is out of the closet once more. I found these great vintage blankets on eBay when I went in search of inspiration and confidence. Because that's what they are really all about: confidence to crochet as you please and to use up yarn, and not to fit in with others' ideas of what constitutes good taste and grown-up colour schemes.

2. The inspirational book

This talk of colour and confidence brings me neatly onto the next good thing which is Color by Kristin Nicholas. Now this, too, is really about confidence, and seems to me to contain enough material for two or three books which makes it amazing value. It's about colour, design and the joy of knitting, and I found goodness knows how many great ideas and inspirations in here - and that's without even looking at the patterns themselves. 

3. The vintage film

As I am very much aware of my own vintage status at the moment, when I discovered Hell is a City, a film made on location in Manchester in 1959, I knew I would be watching a little bit of my own history. And, sure enough, the film is packed with the Manchester landmarks of my childhood (and a number of unplaceable 'Manchester' accents). Great stuff. (It also led me to the fascinating and painstakingly researched website I have linked to - just one example of how the internet is so brilliant for sharing esoteric information. Without George Nixon's meticulous research, I would never have known that a house I walked past many a time as a child is a location in the film.)

4. The unironic CD

So while I buying the Dolly CD (see yesterday's post), I thought I might as well have a look at the Johnny Cash offerings. I grew up thinking Johnny Cash was all about 'A Boy Named Sue', the 1970s 'Man in Black'  and bad TV shows, but in the last couple of years - mainly via the Bob Dylan Theme Time Radio shows - I have come to realise that there was/is a much greater significance to Johnny Cash than I'd previously suspected. This was underscored by Walk the Line (even though I had to fast-forward the druggy bits, just as I had with Ray, because they make me feel quite ill) which was a revelation. This means I can alternate ironic but brilliant Dolly with the unironic and similarly brilliant Johnny, and really go country in the car.

5. The history

My natural inclinations and interests tend towards the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but having gone to university in one of the most beautiful Georgian cities in England and having lived in various beautifully proportioned, high-ceilinged, sash-windowed houses with original heating (ie none), I am nevertheless drawn to the eighteenth century as a period of transition and taste. Amanda Vickery is an entertaining and readable historian with a genuine and highly engaging enthusiasm for domestic life (she also wrote and presented a wonderful Radio 4 series). Behind Closed Doors is an illuminating study of Georgian home life, with a particularly interesting chapter on 'What Women Made' which takes a new (and sensible) approach to understanding women's crafts and domestic accomplishments at that time.

and one for good luck: the genius

To mark his 75th birthday, BBC Four is having an Alan Bennett fest this week. His work ages beautifully, or maybe it just doesn't age at all, and is still as fresh, funny and moving as it ever was. What a treat to be able to watch and listen to a cornucopia of marvellously crafted plays, talks and monologues.

Comments

[T.]

I love your blog, Jane! And this post is full of wonderful colors.

A granny square blanket is next on my project list...if and when I ever get done with Christmas presents (!!) and these ones provide lovely inspiration.

[lydia]

just a note on the country music. i finally sat down and watched walk the line and really enjoyed it. now that you've added dolly and johnny to your cache- consider other country kings and queens tammy wynette, merle haggard, george jones-oldies but goodies but really typify country music roots-consider a trip to memphis and nashville next time you head to the states-wonderful cities to visit-and the bbq ain't too bad either. love your blog, and look forward to your next book.

[materfamilias]

Johnny Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around, with his cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt, is a stunning album. Takes country to a place you might not have imagined for it. I wonder if you'd like Lucinda Williams -- her lyrics are pretty great, simple and often sad but healing, some ironic, some not.

[Jane]

What a delight to have Alan Bennett on every night. Couldn't watch on Saturday as people came for a meal so I'm hoping to download from iplayer. Can't wait for Thora Hird and the cream cracker under the sofa. Why is someone talking about the good ewbank (old fashioned non- motorised carpet cleaner for those whose childhood didn't contain one)so perfectly funny?
Must resurrect my rusty crochet skills and attack my stash of non-co-ordinating yarn>

[Susan Hall]

Amanda vickery's "Behind Closed Doors" is still sitting on my uread pile by the bed. I loved the radio four programme and after a couple of episodes found myself on Amazon seeking more but so far I've only dipped into it. you've wetted my appetite so I must hurry on with the fascinating but enormous "Family Britain" by david Kynaston, another great historical read but physically unwieldy. Do you think its ever justifiable to rip a book in two ? I am considering this as a method of speeding things up and saving my wrists. Oh for the Victorian 3 volume tome !

[Laura]

I grew up listening to the classic country music - like Johnny Cash. Very different from the pop country that most people think of as "Country" music.

May I also recommend Chet Atkins and Doc Watson?

[lucy]

Dolly, Johnny and Crochet, what more could a girl ask for?

[Mary]

I am so happy to see that you have adopted the granny square afghans and given them a good home. I get so sentimental when I see crafts from the past. Am I the only person who feels a twinge of sadness at seeing an afghan discarded or mistreated or subject to jokes for being, 'outdated' (as is sometimes done on television)?

I want to think that they are forever appreciated and loved and I know that I am completely unrealistic. I smile when I see an afghan in the back window of a car, knowing when someone in the car is chilled, they will grab it and snuggle in its warmth.

I used to work with a woman who rescued cats and dogs. Upon visiting her home I noticed afghans in every room, many with cats cozily perched. I saw familiar patterns, and yarn that I recognized and knew was no longer available. It was like a trip down memory lane.

I asked about the afghans. She explained that she and her husband scoured thrift stores within 100 miles for them. She had a set rule though, she wouldn't pay more than .75 cents for them and would always try to negotiate the price down below that. Many she had purchased for .25 cents.

Having made and given/donated afghans over the years I wonder where mine ended up. Hopefully they provided warmth and comfort when needed.

[RainyDaisy]

How lovely. I am always so sad to see those crocheted blankets in thrift stores, because I know someone made them for someone they loved. I'm tempted to adopt them, but I'm afraid I'd be up to my ears in acrylic.

[busybusybeejay]

I made my first crocheted afghan in 1970! We had been to London and saw one in the Design centre and I thought it was fab.The next week I came down with a bad case of mumps and was off work for 3 weeks.That was the start of my first afghan and I still have it.I have made lots more since then.I have a WIP on a crocheted afghan,ripple design, in which I am using up all my left over bits of yarn.

[trashalou]

When she makes them my mother refers to those blankets as 'ruglies' because nothing matches.

[Amy]

I've been oogling Granny Squares myself lately! :)

[willow]

I do love granny squares. I remember the afghan that sat on the back of my grandmother's sofa.

[Karen]

I too am really enjoying the Alan Bennett series. The monologues are truly exquisite; even though they are often tragic.

[Siobhan]

Blanket making and Granny squares are works of art. For fabulous use of colour and a lovely warm and entertaining read visit Attic 24 blog. I promise you will all want one of her blankets but you will have to make your own - she is a very generous lady who shares her know-how with you so if you want to make one, there is no better place to start. They are beautiful!

[Liza]

All the gorgeous granny squares are perfect eye candy now that winter weather has hit us in the North East United States. I love to crochet my granny square afghans as randomly as possible. The more unconventional, the better. You totally hit the nail on the head with this post! Makes me want to go cozy up with my crochet hook!

[Karen]

I love the look of granny square blankets. Seems to me there used to be a custom of edging each square in black--or maybe those were just the blankets that ended up in my grandparents' houses. Anyway more color is better. More color is always better!

[oxslip]

Did you see this huge granny blanket? It fell out of the most recent copy of Selvedge as a subscription request card. The colours were more vivid in their reprint,but it's a lovely thing
http://rosbadger.blogspot.com/2009/01/inspired-by-my-close-friend-eslpeth_24.html

[deborah bartlett]

This really is my favourite blog. In addition to all the domestic arts you give much interesting information on, for example, music, literature and cinema. I admire both your writing and photographic skills.

Following your recent post I have ordered a dvd of Hell is a City. I too grew up in Manchester but had totally forgotten about this film.

I am now the proud and happy owner of all three of your books. When is the fourth due to be on sale?

Thanks for the pleasure you bring to my (housebound) life.

Best wishes, Deborah - a true Jane Brocket fan x.

[jean bradbury]

Those who like "grannie squares" might want to see the wonderful sculptures of Nick Cave called Soundsuits. There is a You Tube video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdmMM6iAt8E . The Grannie squares appear mostly near the end. I have also linked to it on my own blog. Thanks Jane for all the color!

[Shin Ae]

Behind Closed Doors just went on my wish list. Just the sort of book I've been looking for. Thank you, Jane.

[Andrea]

What a coincidence! your link to Hell is a City took me to a website I discovered a few weeks back and was utterly absorbed in, my Father grew up in Levenshulme, and at one time had a shop on Broom Lane. I even found a photo of him on there, dressed a woman in some play or another! I have recently discovered your writing and I so love the voice you have given to the rightly called domestic arts, and all the areas of life that this most neglected of subjects covers. It was quite thrilling to discover you were from Stockport!, and I did wonder whereabouts, (I am a Four Heatons girl meself!.) Well you have partly answered that question in this post, so I shall wonder no more.x.

[Rachel G B]

Jane,
I am glad you are back. I have been looking out for you each day. I love your blog and you have inspired me. I came across your book The Gentle Art of Domesticity in our town library part way through last year and read it cover to cover. Since then I have been reading your blog and telling everyone I know about it! I have even convinced my local library to order you new book( not being released in AUS until March 2010) and I am number 1 in the holds queue. Thanks for bringing me to the domestic arts! Rachel (Tasmania, Australia)