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January 15, 2006
Below stairs
Undoubtedly there's a common flavour to the designs I come up with. So far, in the broadest terms, I've been inspired by 'The Big House'. The grand homes of the English countryside, with land, and staff. I imagine how chilly it must have been the whole time, old houses being draughty the way they are, before central heating; and how little there would have been to do. I imagine the jumpers and cardigans that the family and guests must bundle themselves in to keep from perishing in the cold.
Hence all the pearl buttons.
I'm also interested in what they wore below stairs. With a vague idea for a coarse, garter-stitch jacket, I started thinking about pockets. And how you could reinforce them so that they don't stretch and distort if you actually use the pockets. It started out as a warm, utilitarian layer for a scullery maid.
It's Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed (on sale at Get Knitted) the colour of porridge (which incidentally was the perfect breakfast with blueberries and honey). Wool, silk, cashmere. Not so utilitarian now. I think it need some kind of stitch pattern, something modest but enough to keep one from expiring due to too much stocking stitch.
PS: It's been a busy few weeks catching up with pattern-writing. Expect to see Jess and the sock patterns up in the next few days, then my little shop is stocked, for now.
Posted by Amelia at January 15, 2006 03:06 PM
Comments
Just stopped in to tell you how very much I enjoy your blog. It's on my list and I visit twice a week or more. It's inspiring, it is. Keep it up. Please.
Posted by: Catherine at January 15, 2006 04:08 PM
Oh, that's one of my favorite yarns... Yum.
Posted by: Chris at January 15, 2006 04:08 PM
This post reminded me of the movie 'Gosford Park' for some reason.
I think once in a while downstairs needed some cashmere and silk ; )
Posted by: yahaira at January 15, 2006 04:09 PM
That yarn is a big seller at the shop. I love that color!
Posted by: Scout at January 15, 2006 04:12 PM
I love your designs, you truly do have your own style that runs through them all, and I do, in my American way, think of them as very English! This post reminded me of the public television reality show I was obsessed with for a while, called "Manor House," in which modern people were transplanted to an Edwardian manor, and viewers got a glimpse of both the upstairs and the downstairs life. You would think that upstairs would be better, but an upstairs aunt had to leave the show because she suffered depression due to the fact that as an unmarried Edwardian woman she had absolutely nothing to do.
Looking forward to seeing this design unfold!
Posted by: Mary-Heather at January 15, 2006 04:46 PM
My favorite yarn, hands down. I'm desperately glad that there are not sweater-quantities of the colors I want at Get Knitted, or I would have had to break my no-yarn-buying rule.
Lucky scullery maid.
Posted by: Ashley at January 15, 2006 05:22 PM
Your pieces remind me a bit of Marian Foale's knitwear, in their classic quality, but they seem to me more playful and realistic and less demanding of the knitter. I look forward to the "downstairs" jacket, and I also look forward to seeing the pattern for Jess. Your blog is a great pleasure to read. Thank you. Pam
Posted by: Pam at January 15, 2006 05:48 PM
Every time you have new designs coming out, I have a pleasant surprise ... at how you can make them so simple and yet so elegant. I, for one, am happy to see you little shop stacked.
Posted by: Agnes at January 15, 2006 06:36 PM
If I could go back in time it would definitely be as the old monied rich in the thirties, very Gosford Park (my all time favourite movie). One just simply cannot have enough pearl buttons.
Posted by: Leisl at January 15, 2006 08:54 PM
Your sketches are fabulous and Mmmmm... Aran tweed. Plus, Jess and socks?! Eeeee!
Posted by: Anonymous at January 15, 2006 09:52 PM
I love seeing your sketches and the inspiration stories. This is an excellent "preview" of what is to come... I am looking forward to discovering this "below stairs" creation.
Posted by: francoise at January 15, 2006 10:50 PM
Lovely, very remiscent of a coarse linen, which might have been expected 'below stairs'. I'm sure they would have been quite overwhelmed if presented with something knitted with Jo Sharp!
Posted by: Mary at January 15, 2006 11:19 PM
*sigh* I even love your design drawings... but for now I must practice, practice, practice, and one day I'll buy a pattern!
For now I must settle for being a bit wistful and covetous, reading your blog.
Posted by: Kitty at January 16, 2006 12:18 AM
It's good to see the designing juices flowing. I like how you are inspired to design things that are so unique and have great attention to details. This one is chocful of tailoring details on the collar, sleeve edge and that tape part. It's so fun to see your designing in progress. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: erin at January 16, 2006 02:08 AM
Good heavens... not only does she knit, but she DRAWS too! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. at January 16, 2006 03:00 PM
Forgive me, but what does "below stairs" mean? Is that the same as "downstairs"?
BTW, I LOVE Pippa!
Posted by: Carrie at January 16, 2006 04:38 PM
This is another blog that I've bookmarked and save a weeks worth for reading on the wknd. It's such a pleasant, soothing read and makes me stop and think about the nice things in life versus work, grocery shopping, etc. Makes my life feel more "rich" imagining that one day I'll have a stash of such really nice, knitted items.
Posted by: Suzanne at January 16, 2006 07:19 PM
Lovely designs - I'm assuming give the inspiration that you're a fan of "Upstairs, Downstairs"? I LOVE that series... I watched the whole thing on DVD last year over about six months - such a brilliant show. Would love to hear your thoughts on that...
Posted by: Elizabeth at January 16, 2006 08:37 PM
I was hoping that Jess would make an appearance as a pattern - such a gorgeous sweater! Will also eagerly await Below the Stairs as I have three colorways of the Jo Sharp yarn stashed. I love cardigans, and your designs are especially super.
Posted by: kandy at January 17, 2006 04:47 AM
I've been reading your blog for a while now and just want to say how much I enjoy seeing your lovely, elegant designs. Do keep it up and I look forward to making a cardigan or sweater of your soon. Saw and admired your jacket pattern at Ally Pally on Kerrie's stall.
Posted by: Anne at January 17, 2006 02:52 PM
I love this post - wonderful thoughts.
Posted by: eunnyjang at January 17, 2006 10:06 PM
Hello,
I love the wonderful Oatmeal Tweed. I want to rush out to buy some but.... I must wait to see Below Stairs first! Question when you did the Jaywalkers with the picot edge? What size needle did you use? Were there any other adjustments that you needed to make? I started it and it is way too big. I used Artfulyarn Ultra Merino with size 2 needles. If you have time please peek over at my blog to see the photos. Any suggestions? Thank you Kindly, Gina
Posted by: Gina L at January 18, 2006 06:07 AM
I absolutely love your designs and I have a request! I know it's unorthodox but hey, worth a try. I am really after a knit pattern for a Chanel style jacket. If you feel any inspiration from the idea, I'd love to make one designed by you. I'm very willing to be a test knitter too.
Posted by: knitannie at January 18, 2006 12:56 PM
I love that look...It's useful, classic and lovely.
I'd knit this in a heartbeat.
Lovely...but all your designs are...
Posted by: heather at January 18, 2006 03:30 PM