I have been coveting a swift for ages, but knowing I wouldn`t use it a great deal (sorry to confess but a lot of my knitting is in acrylic especially as much of it is still using my ancient stash, and/or for charity) I couldn`t justify the cost - then it suddenly dawned on me - my Dad is a dab hand with wood, tends to be a little on the industrial scale mind, having learnt all he knows when he worked on the farm and everything had to withstand the rigours of the outdoors or the animals. So armed with a picture I went to smile sweetly. Now with my Dad you always underestimate, for example if he asks what you want from his allotment and you say a few beans for lunch, he will turn up with a carrier bag full, bless him, so I scaled my request accordingly and hey presto - it`s perfect! Having been a human swift for many hours himself as a child he thought it was a brilliant idea and set to immediately. And best of all it didn`t cost me a penny - he is such a hoarder (is there such thing as a stash of wood?) The main bits were once upon a time a table, the dowel is from a cot (probably not mine though I wouldn`t put it past him to still have some of it and I`m in my forties!) and the washers are freebie CD`s.
I think he is a clever old stick and I am very lucky to have him.
In case you are wondering what the yarn is, it is Colinette Giotto, ready for my throw, which I have now started but there isn`t enough otn to make it worth a piccy yet. I have discovered however that it is not very portable which sounds like an excellent excuse to start something else - I have Thermal from Knitty in mind and will be hovering over the computer and eBay this afternoon hoping to win that yarn I have fallen in love with. (but then you already know how much I love a bargain so I`m sure this won`t surprise you at all)
I have also been busy reading, I came across this book on my trip to London a few weeks back and couldn`t resist It`s my party and I`ll knit if I want to! by Sharon Aris and although the book is based in Australia I found it very interesting and was surprised how many names and companies I had heard of. The synopsis ......
`Knitting as the new feminism? You bet. This is a lighthearted, philosophical look at why knitting is back in fashion and the fabulous women (and men!) embracing the lost arts of their grandmothers. Knitting is in a major revival. Knitters have been spotted in parliament, in pubs, at the cricket. And they're not just over 50. They're young, sassy, professional women. What is going on here? This is third-wave feminism in action. The previous generation made the workplace the centre for action; now it's the home front. This is a feminism that enjoys a career but doesn't think that a career alone is enough. Answering questions such as: Is it okay to knit in public?; Is it okay to share needles?; and natural versus synthetic?, Sharon Aris tells you how to knit yourself to happiness and truly embrace the world of your grandmother`
...says it all really. It was a great read, I enjoyed her excepts from her knitting diary, and found lots of things throughout the book that I could identify with.
6 comments:
Wow, your Dad is very clever - mine has quite a wood stash too so I may have to send some photos his way :o)
Lucky girl to have such a clever dad! That's a very nice swift he's made for you. :-)
That book sounds very interesting....will have to keep an eye out for it!
Your Dad's swift looks perfect for the job, and how lovely to have one made especially for you by someone you love.
What an excellent swift! Your Dad is a treasure :-) My DH has a wood stash too (athough he calls it "useful bits of wood") and was aghast tonight at my sggestion of chucking out a roughly 6"x6" piece of pine!
There's nothing wrong with acrylic, it definitely has it's place! The swift looks great, all the better for being recycled.
Your swift looks amazing - your Dad is a real love! And I love the fact it is all recycled too, even better.
Now you have given me an idea... my Dad is a dab hand at this kind of thing too!
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