This is one of those gallimaufry one-thing-leads-to-another posts, but I have finally done it...subscribed to Selvedge magazine, there was a special offer and I couldn't resist
Having promised myself a while back (Issue 56) that I would buy each edition when it came out, and when I saw it, I then never saw it. So four editions later I have caved and now Jim the Postie ensures its safe arrival.
Issue 56 had introduced me to the temptations of Merchant & Mills, and Bookhound and I actually visited the shop in Rye whilst on our mini-tour a while back.
We had headed down to Sussex from Cambridge early in the day thinking it would take hours when in fact, though sandwiched in between a lot of lorries on the Dartford Crossing, we actually made it in two, and in time for the most sumptuous breakfast known to mankind at a wonderful place in Rye.
Wandering around the town it all felt a bit familar which I can only put down to a combined legacy of reading Monica Edwards and Malcolm Savile as a child, both of whom located their books in the area...
Does anyone else remember Monica Edwards's Punchbowl Farm series amd Tamsin galloping across the surrounding Romney Marshes, or Malcolm Saville's The Gay Dolphin Adventure. Fran H-B knitted me a lovely cowl from Romney wool for my big birthday last year, it will be in use again soon.
And there was plenty of quaintness in Rye too..
and The House With Two Front Doors
Plus a fascinating clock..
I am reading The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge so clocks have my full attention at the moment.
Sadly we had chosen a day when Henry James's home was closed so we had to stare at Lamb House from the outside and imagine..
And to think Rye may never have crossed my radar but for reading about the M&M shop in Selvedge. I came away with another dress pattern ready for my next GDSB session (January seems like the dressmaking season here for some reason)
So Selvedge No. 60 has arrived (and since I wrote this No. 61) a Knitting edition and I am soaking it all up.
If this edition makes me want to go anywhere it is a return to the Scottish Islands thanks to a series of postcards extolling the virtues, as well as a great article on Fair Isle knitting.
Coincidentally, this edition also carries an extract from The Coat Route by Meg Lukens Noonan and her quest to find the elusive vicuna 15,000 ft up in the Peruvian Andes... but I'm not too fussed about going there.
There are some natty two-colour hand-knitted dishcloth patterns which I will bypass ... these very much in the 'life's too short to stuff a mushroom category' for a slow peasant knitter like me, but very nice if you have the time and the inclination and maybe don't use bleach on your Belfast sink as much as I do...
This talk of knitting reminds me that any day now the Rams & Yowes blanket will be out of mothballs, now past the middle and on the homeward run...the flock waiting patiently to be shepherded into that final pen from which they can sit and watch me tackle the steek, before picking up 780 stitches around the edge...what on earth was I thinking...
Magazines like Selvedge are all about inspiration and new ideas, and reminders about work in progress that needs to see the light of day again, and I would love to know about other magazines that do likewise. I don't need much prompting but it is good to see what's going on out there. In that vein, more soon about a magazine from Australia, Womankind. A copy has arrived this week and I am very impressed with both the content and the lack of adverts.
And talking of inspiration...
Can I commend to you Addison's Embroidery at the Vicarage.
Mary emailed to thank me for dovegreyreader and to let me know that she was working her way through the complete archives. Her embroidery is exquisite and reminded me of my mum's skill in this department, while I failed to progress beyond lazy daisy stitch. But quite honestly anyone who returns from two weeks Nannying duties on a Friday and has completed a hand- smocked christening romper (start to finish) by Sunday has my complete admiration...collar or no collar.
Any 'making' going on over your way??
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