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February 02, 2006
Noisette
What is Elegance?
It is a sort of harmony that rather resembles beauty, with the difference that the latter is more often a gift of nature and the former the result of art.
Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions - Genevieve Antoine Dariaux
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I’ve such a crush on Bridie.
It all started in a meeting at Work, where I was sat opposite a red-haired beauty wearing a divine camel-coloured cardigan with an asymmetric opening. It was a fine, silky, machine-knit, in a classic style, but the way the opening whipped across to the hip, sloping sharply from the solar plexus, lent it a hint of the warrior, somehow. Or that could have been its wearer’s bearing. Either way, my instincts were twitching.
And even before then I had been planning a cousin to Pippa, who was doing such great service. So I straight away ordered the yarn (Karabella Margrite, because I’m worth it) and, while waiting for the parcel post, mulled and sketched.
The original inspiration had the lower half of the front opening, if you can picture it, veering off to the right. It looked gorgeous fastened, but cardis can be so pretty worn with the top two or three buttons done up and the rest open, and asymmetry there might lead to odd shapes at the hem. Flapping. The twist moved upwards to the bust.
And oh! When the yarn came I knew this would work. It did: it fits, it’s perfect, I love it. Proper pics at the weekend, and I’ll let you know what Dariaux says on knitwear.
I’ve been reading the discussion about pattern-making versus designing over at Eunny’s (her argyle vest is causing me to long to knit something which someone else has already worked out), and rolling the points raised round my mind for all those days I was out of touch. It’s a difficult line to draw. I could not call myself a pattern-maker: that is far too accomplished, methodical, for the vague process I follow. I don’t pretend to understand the maths behind making a garment, and never reinvent wheels. I put together colours, outlines, textures and details in a way that says something to me. Cardigans that speak to me about childhood, West Wittering, ancestry, orchards. Clothes with superpowers stitched in.
Posted by Amelia at February 2, 2006 10:52 PM
Comments
Oh, Anna, I should know by know: when you're quiet for a few days, it's because you're about to spring something phenomenal on us. I can't wait to see it ON!
And if you're not a designer, then I don't know who is.
Posted by: Ashley at February 3, 2006 12:15 AM
"But who doesn't love sweaters?"
Posted by: Kat at February 3, 2006 12:34 AM
Such a distraction when you see lovely knitwear during a meeting isn't it? I've ended up doing sneaky sketches on the back of agendas before now.
Posted by: Mary at February 3, 2006 12:37 AM
oh i can't wait to see it on you... what a beautifully worded post. i feel so inspired and envious of your talent, everytime i read your blog.
Posted by: blossom at February 3, 2006 12:52 AM
I love the way you write about knitwear, I've known that feeling when you see the perfect sweater across from you. You get all giddy inside.
I can't wait to see it on! The texture and color are perfect together
Posted by: yahaira at February 3, 2006 01:07 AM
I read the discussion at Eunny's too, but came in late and didn't want to add a comment. I believe that a designer is someone who has both skill and imagination. Neither one is sufficient alone. As far as I'm concerned, you clearly qualify as a designer.
Posted by: B. at February 3, 2006 03:19 AM
Ahh, your writing always reminds me of the english books I used to read. I have just watched Sense and sensibility (3 times in a row!!) so I'm still basking in the elegance of that era. The sneak preview of Bridie (that is her name, right?) looks very promising. You will have to tell us how that name came about.
Posted by: erin at February 3, 2006 03:26 AM
I am looking forward to this week-end then to see your new creation...
Posted by: francoise at February 3, 2006 08:54 AM
Gorgeous. I want to grab it through the screen and put it on and look fabulous. As always, you inspire!
Posted by: Jenny at February 3, 2006 09:32 AM
Oooooh! Bridie looks gorgeous! I can't wait to see it on you! And of course I'm hoping for a pattern. :-)
Posted by: terhi at February 3, 2006 12:26 PM
Anna - can't wait to see the whole Birdie - looks pretty enticing..........
Posted by: christine at February 3, 2006 02:42 PM
I don't know how you do it, whipping up the original handknits with such speed and agility. Can't wait to see this one unveiled!
Posted by: Beth S. at February 3, 2006 03:28 PM
anna-you are the most awe inspiring knitter i have ever seen. each new design is more precious and lovely than the last. keep up the inspirational works. i am working on a couple of your sock patterrns and am loving every minute.
Posted by: kim at February 3, 2006 04:18 PM
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I'm addicted to cardigans (really, the most versatile piece of clothing ever!) and this one is beautiful. i can't wait to see it on!
Posted by: jennie at February 3, 2006 04:21 PM
Ah...that glimpse of her in your 21st January post was so intriguing..and now here she is. She does not disappoint!
Posted by: Angela at February 3, 2006 07:23 PM
oh my. this is going to be good. look at that cardi!
Posted by: kris at February 3, 2006 09:34 PM
I know this sounds super daggy, but I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of Bridie on you as much as I am looking forward to going out to a swish cocktail party tonight (and with a toddler at home, evenings out are rare!)
Posted by: Leisl at February 3, 2006 09:46 PM
that caridi is delicious! so classy and yet modern. i cannot deny i got a little worried when you were "off the air" for a while there! so happy to have you back.
thank you for being such an inspiring knitter :-)
Posted by: margaux at February 3, 2006 11:10 PM
I can't wait to see the full pictures of this - it looks incredible!
If superpowers are imbued in the pattern, are you going to charge more for it? I do hope we get our choice of which superpower it comes with.
(Anna : I'm sorry, I'm all out of cardigan patterns with x-ray vision. Could I interest you in something with the power of teleportation?)
Posted by: Petula at February 5, 2006 02:31 AM