Avalon Vest?

In my search for a suitable replacement, for the knit stockings I was knitting. I found a pattern that I have been wanting to knit for ages. Is it appropriate, though? The vest is from Fall 2005 Vogue Knitting magazine. I have not found a connection with the The Mists book and the vest, other than my want to knit it, while I read the book. I can't say that the vest is inspired by the book. The book inspires me...maybe? They did not wear vests back then, did they? LOL! Give me some time...I will come up with a connection between the book and the vest. I can justify anything. The vest is lovely and has textures and cables. I am planning to knit the vest in the same "fisherman" colored yarn as the stockings would have been.

So, that's the plan. I guess I am glad my needle broke at the beginning of the stockings, not the end. I have enough time to change my mind to another project. I am feeling moody and hormonal this week. So, I can change my mind...

Ready To Begin

I finally had the chance to purchase the yarn I needed for my knitting project, for the KAL. Now, I just have to begin. I did begin the book, last night. I read through the first chapter of Book 1 before I went to sleep. I am planning some more reading today when I can squeeze it in.

I am not beginning the knitting part just yet. I am trying to finish a sweater that I have been working on for a month, first. Almost done. What am I knitting out of the "fisherman" Wool Ease? Some warm stockings, based on the Very Tall Socks from the Winter 04 issue of Knitty.com. I am making the stockings all in one color with possible embroidery on them, at the end. This is the plan. I hope to begin the stockings sometime this coming weekend. I am just pleased to have the yarn, the book and the inspiration...to do this.

What To Knit For The KAL?

Well, I have dusted off my copy of The Mists and am ready to begin reading, from the beginning. I am hoping to squeeze in a chapter or two, this evening. I have a really busy day ahead of me. I think I have decided what I am knitting for the KAL too. I don't sound very convincing, do I? I had considered knitting a shawl for the occasion, but many of you are already doing that. I have to be different. LOL! Maybe I am a bit crazy, but I have decided to knit a pair of stockings based on these tall socks. I am going to purchase some "Aran" colored yarn to make them out of. I am also thinking of embroidering the tops of the stockings when they are finished. We shall see...

Face it, it was cold and damp in the British Isles. I did do a bit of research on stocking during the time period and most stockings that women wore were woven out of wool. The piece that I read said that knitting did not come into play in Europe until 1050-ish, or so. It also said that knitting originated in Syria of all places. Who knows? I figured womens stockings were appropriate and that is what I am going with.

Oh, in my copy of The Mists of Avalon, in the back, there is a section on "Reading Group Discussion Topics." Do all copies have this, or just the newer ones? If anyone is interested, I can post the 10 discussion questions on the blog here. Just let me know...

Decision made

I have decided to knit a tunic sweater for this KAL - it has a deep split neck with seed stitch border. I am using a hand spun hand dyed yarn my daughter in law gave me two christmases ago. I thought this appropriate since any fabric of the period would have been hand made. The color is burgundy and i also have two varegated balls that match. I plan to use these for the border to represent the embroidery often used to liven up clothes in this period.

getting ready to begin has been fun but beginning is even better!