Mrs. Belli, Katie, and Henry Hudson

"Mrs. Belli's Diamond Edging" is one of the projects In The Knitting Bag, and is my oldest [and only, other than those wretched socks] longstanding Unfinished Object. I haven't worked on her in a while, but have started again, with the goal of finishing her before the end of the year.

I've always wanted to knit lace edgings, since my grandmother told me that her mother crocheted those beautiful lace edgings on now-vintage pillowcases and sheets (and then embroidered designs on the fabric). (How she did this with a husband, seven children, and no microwave or take-out is beyond my imagination). I found this book, Lace From The Attic: A Victorian Notebook of Knitted Lace Patterns, by Nancie Wiseman, about 6 or 7 years ago, and was captivated by the story of how it came about. The author owned a knitting shop, and a customer came in with a notebook that she found in the attic of the house she had just purchased. The notebook contained swatches of all the lace edgings, with instructions on how to knit them. Nancie Wiseman spent hours translating the old abbreviations into modern knitting code, and was then able to share this history with today's knitters. I couldn't resist -- I purchased some Coats Opera Thread, my first set of dpns, and got to work.

According to unofficial measurements (click to enlarge), the perimeter of our pillowcases is 38". I have completed enough edging for those. For the last few years, I have been knitting away on the edging for a top sheet for our queen-sized bed, which is unofficially 102"-105". I am now at 54", slightly more than half way. As pretty as it is, to repeat the same 12 rows over and over (with toothpick-sized needles) to make the diamond edging is nothing if not mind-numbing. I work on it in between other projects, and for that reason, it has begun to record a history of its own. 

Because its project bag is small, it is easy to take along when I am in a hurry. Several years ago, there were many afternoons and evenings when I rushed out of the house to see my grandfather, when was sent to the hospital, and inches of edging were knit at his bedside when he would close his eyes for a nap. When C had his "Year of the Hospital Visits" in 2003, the knitted lace again came along to keep me company. It has also gone on vacations and to family holidays. And when it is finished, my mom will add her stamp on it, as she has volunteered to sew it to the new sheet set for me. I don't know who Mrs. Belli is (the book doesn't say), but I like to think that she and my great-grandmother would be glad to know that the tradition of lace edgings has continued in our modern times. There is something very cool about snuggling down with your own knitted history on a winter's night, and if we end up moving someday, it will help to make the new house feel more like home.

And speaking of cozy beds...

As C and I drove back and forth to his bike races this summer, I knit the pieces for a bright pink cat bed for Katie. Her "staff" (because cat people know the truth -- our cats are in charge of us, not the other way around) and our friends M and F kindly sent this photo of their sweet girl enjoying her new bed. Isn't it wonderful when the recipients of your knitting appreciate your hard work?  Not like Some Others I Know Who Shall Remain Nameless.

I'm excited to report (and Charlie is curious to investigate) that Henry Hudson has traveled to the seashore! Hillary filled his trunk-Yarn Aboard box with some wonderful treasures! Cardmaking supplies, stitchmarkers, a pretty seashell, and a Seaspray sachet (I had the most nicely scented mail of anyone in my neighborhood this afternoon) to accompany the most luscious Caribbean Blue Claudia's mohair. I have been wanting to try Claudia's Yarns but haven't found any in the shops in our area, so this is a real treat. Thank you so much Hillary!!! I want to plan something very special for this yarn! And thank you Mr. & Mrs. Clothesknit for hosting such a fun, creative swap. Now Henry will pack his belongings up once more, and head off to the wild west!

Last but not least, for those who might be interested, Bicycling magazine has a great editorial explaining the science behind Floyd Landis' Stage 17 comeback: http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-12-15065-1,00.html.

I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, whatever your Saturday skies may bring...

Comments

[Beth]

I like the idea that your lace has its own history. That will be a special story to share with people when they ask about your pillowcases and sheet.

I hope your weekend is great, too!

[amanda]

Great package! Don't you love it when the mail smells good?

[Deb]

What beautiful lace. That is something that my grandmother and her ancestors did quite a bit. I haven't picked it up, but have thought of doing it--back in the day when I still thought of making a dowry.
The Yarn Aboard box looks yummy! What beautiful yarn. I've been checking my mail box daily:)

[--Deb]

Your lace edging looks fabulous!

[Kristen]

Only one longstanding UFO? I'm afraid to count mine. Lace edgings are such a pretty touch. I too wonder how women in the past managed to have any time for such "frivolous" activities.

[Sue]

You only have 1 outstanding UFO. I have about 8 on the needles and a few hidden in the wardrobe that probably will never get finished. I am sure that our grandmothers had so much time to knit, (mine also had 7 kids) because they did not watch tv, go shopping all the time, and I am sure the kids used to help out with the chores more often and were probably in bed by 7.00. I wish mine were that good sometimes too. By the way the kitty bed is so gorgeous. Where did you get the pattern for it.

[anna]

The historical lace edging is just beautiful. It reminds me of the bundles of hand embroidered, cut work and crocheted table clothes, doilies, tray clothes, anti-macassars - far too beautiful to throw away, but how can one give them a new lease on life?

[Yuli]

Beautiful lace work! The cat bed seems to be so comfy. I just finished one for my kitties but for some reasons, it has become flattened after only one use!

[Barbara Owens]

I love edgings, too. My husband's family has a fabulous tradition of croched needlework in their family and I have been inspired to carry it on. My daughter is the 5th generation of the family that we know of who has done crocheted doilies and edgings. If you have ever done any edgings you will have an even greater respect for our women ancestors and their creative hands.