THE ELECTRONIC CAMEL
Newsletter of the Oasis Knitting Guild in Israel
Vol. 2, no. 1 (Jan. 2001)
Editor: Avital Pinnick
Home
Newsletter Index
Contents:
ARTICLES:
SHORT NOTES
PATTERN: HAYSTACK STRIPE VEST, by Marian Poller
ARTIST PROFILE: MIRIAM GIDRON, LACEMAKER, by Avital
Bobbin lace, the lavish adornment of European royalty from the sixteenth century to the present, is still being made in Israel. Miriam Gidron is keeping this art alive in Arad. Some of you attended my demo and lecture on bobbin lace for the Jerusalem Fiber Craftsmen at the Israel Museum a couple years ago. I'm a competent lace maker but Miriam is a true master.
Miriam, a retired widow with three grown sons (the eldest lives in Rehovot, the second studies medicine in Chicago, and the youngest finished his studies and is vacationing in India), was born in Israel (then Palestine) and has lived in Arad since 1974. She is adept at many different forms of needlework, including knitted lace, embroidery, tatting, and quilting.
Her first lace teacher was Anna Kralova, an elderly Czech woman who has taught many of Israel's lacemakers. Finding Anna was no small challenge--Miriam had seen some lace made by one of Anna's students, and she phoned different crafts stores and centers until she found someone who knew Anna. In those days, many of Anna's other students were women from kibbutzim. They were allowed one free day a week to go into the city to pursue their interests.
Miriam learned several different styles of bobbin lace from well-known teachers in England. She studied Bucks Point and Milanese with Patricia Bury, Honiton with Caroline Biggins, and Bedfordshire with Barbara Underwood. She taught herself Torchon, Brugge Bloemwork, and Rosaline. Her favourite lace styles are Honiton and Milanese. She designs her own laces, as well as working from existing patterns.
Her work is featured at the exhibit "Human Texture" (see notice below), which opened in Arad on January 20. If you want to see her making lace, she will be dropping by from time to time with her lace pillow.
TOP
PSYCHOMETRIC EXAM FOR KNITTERS, by Avital
A few weeks ago, I went through one of those rites of passage that many job-hunters endure--the Psychometric Exam. For those who haven't been so fortunate, it's a 7-8 hour exam that is made up of just about every psychological test ever invented, including group exercises and a private interview. After the test, a friend said, "They need a special test for you--you're not like other people!" I grumbled, "Yeah, they didn't have a single knitting question." (I did manage to put a lot of fiber content into the stories and pictures but that's another story.) So here is the Psychometric for knitters.
1. You have been provided with 50 grams of Ironstone 100% Mohair yarn (black) and a pair of 2 mm. needles.
You have 5 minutes to knit a swatch in garter stitch. At the end of this time, rip it out. You have 5 minutes to knit a swatch with cables, using the same yarn. At the end of this time, rip it out. You have 5 minutes to knit a swatch with a slip-stitch pattern, using the same yarn. At the end of this time, rip it out. You have 5 minutes to knit a swatch with a heel, using the same yarn. At the end of this time, rip it out.
Write a composition (minimum 3 paragraphs. Use the back of the page if necessary) to describe your feelings and thoughts during this exercise.
2. Draw a picture of Red Heart Tropical Fruit 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn during a solar eclipse.
3. You have a pattern that calls for casting on X number of stitches. 2% of these stitches are selvedges. 15% of the stitches are used for panels in stitch pattern A. 45% of the stitches are used for panels in stitch pattern B, which uses half the number of stitches, per panel, as stitch pattern A. The total number of panels is three times the square root of the total stitch count.
What is the wing velocity of an African sparrow?
4. Choose one of the following as the basis for an original short story.
a. "Yes, it's true!," the voice on the phone squealed. "You have won a round-trip air ticket to Stitches and a $50,000 gift certificate! The only condition is that you must adopt Alexis Xenakis for life."
b. My mind was in a fog when I awoke. A thousand questions crowded into my brain. What was I doing in a strange hotel room? Who tied me to this bed? And what is Lily Chin doing with that skein of steel wool in her hand???!!!
c. It was her first knitting guild meeting. "Our group is very *special*," purred the guild president. "I'm so glad that you could come. We have such a hard time finding sacri--, I mean, new members!"
5. If you were trapped on a desert island for a month with only one designer, you would choose:
1. Alexander McQueen
2. Valentina Devine
3. Helene Rush
6. You have been provided with a set of dp needles in different sizes, a copy of Nancy Bush's "Folk Socks," and a plate of cold spaghetti. Choose a sock pattern and knit it. (Points will be deducted for an excessive number of splices.)
7. Group exercise. You have all been provided with random colours of yarn and a photograph "Great American Afghan #1." Study the photograph for 3 minutes. Return the photograph to the examiner. Recreate the afghan in two hours, from memory, assigning different squares to each candidate. Appoint a leader to present the afghan, on behalf of the candidates, to the examiner.
8. If you were a yarn, you would be:
a. Fluffy mohair
b. Eyelash novelty
c. Classic Elite Tapestry
d. Cebelia Opera cotton 10
e. Shetland cobweb
f. "Touch Me" Chenille
g. Rowan Kid Silk
9. Write an essay about how the State of Israel would be affected if every member of the Knesset were a knitter.TOP
MEMBER PROFILE: ELLEN
I'm from Huntington, Indiana. Small town, no Jewish community, though like many places, early in the last century there were quite a few Jews. In 1920, during Prohibition, my grandfather who lived in Chicago was hired by some of the townspeople to manage a brand new corporation in an abandoned beer brewery.
I've been in Israel for 31 years, since graduating from the University of Wisconsin/Madison, first at Kibbutz Yiftach, then in Jerusalem, before moving to Ramat Gan upon my marriage to Zvi.
We have three children. Avner, 26, is married, works for his father (investments), attends TAU and manages a new venture capital firm. Amir, 22, completed the army in July and is now wandering around So. America, climbing mountains, riding on the Amazon, etc., with a pack on his back. Raquel, 18, joined the IDF in December and is studying her profession for four months as part of her army service.
Our four dear cats, a motley collection who joined us from the streets of Zichron and Ramat Gan, know that we belong to them.
I'm a homemaker, but never seem to have a dull moment. My other hobby is genealogy, and through this activity, I volunteered to translate a portion of the Pinsk Memorial Book from Hebrew to English, and this has just been completed.
Ellen's knitting:
I have had a wonderful teacher, my Mom, Lorry Goldenberg, who spends her winters in Zichron Yaakov. I THINK she first taught me when I was about ten. The first project I remember is an afghan I and some of my cousins were making together. We each knit a colorful garter stitch strip in wide stripes. Needless to say, they were uneven in the extreme, and I don't know what happened to the project--never saw it finished--but I can guess...Mom?
With breaks of varying lengths of time, I have knit since late in high school. Somehow no other fiber work ever attracted me for very long. My favorite projects are designing baby sweaters and hats in different styles, and Aran style knitting, also particularly my own designs, but in lighter weight than the traditional, because of our climate. Mostly I find myself knitting with size 4 metric needles, whatever the project.
I probably could take the prize in the group for UFOs, unfinished objects. Marian without contest takes first prize for stash, magazines and books, but I could certainly compete for (a distant) second place.
My greatest knitting experience was the "Wonders of Wool and Scotland" Rowan (knitting) trip with my parents in 1991. Mom and I knit; Dad drew cartoons. Honestly, it was one of those "once–in-a-lifetime" experiences.
And the guild:
With regard to the Guild, I was there before it all began, when Marian put an ad in the Jerusalem Post about knitting at the AACI, and I was the only one who showed up regularly. Actually, I have never been an organizer. I would love to host more meetings, but too few knitters seem to find their way to Ramat Gan--although *I* think it is in the center of the universe.... I like the company and the knit talk and the learning experiences. It would be nice to have more members, or better attendance rates among our existing members; otherwise we don't need to grow very much. Most of the time, I seem to enjoy any kind of activity, including meeting the visitors who come from abroad, and new members. The visit in Haifa at Mirjam's, combining the get-together with visiting a yarn store, was a particularly memorable meeting. We are lucky to have such a diverse and talented group.
PENGUINS IN ISRAEL, by Ellen
A week ago we had lunch at a restaurant in Ramat Hahayal. It was at 34 Habarzel St. There were some of those penguin statues there, and one is all covered with colorful knitting. Probably mainly machine knitting, but he had some hand knitting still on the needles hanging on him. He is delightful, and so I went back with my camera to take pictures--before he unravels.
Tel Aviv, Herzlia and other places, I think, in the central area of the country, have adopted the penguin as an attraction or whatever. Why penguins? I haven't the slightest idea. However, you come across these penguins at street corners, on boulevards, etc. They have been given over to artists to design as they please. There must be tens of them, about the size of a short but stout grown person. So I happened upon this one, which is knit (and painted). He is VERY colorful. Next to him is one covered with yellow fur-like cloth, but he isn't so neat, because the pollution, dirt, etc., have made him look dirty, and he wasn't so great to begin with. Generally speaking, the penguins are decorated with longer lasting materials. In Herzlia Pituah I saw one decorated in Gaudi style, also a successful one. The knitted one was designed by someone called Batia Shani.
TOP
SHORT NOTES
Mazal Tov to Sivia Teutsch and family on the birth of their granddaughter! (Jennifer)
I (editor Avital) will be jumping about two millennia, from the Second Temple period to the computer age. I have accepted a job at NDS Israel, a software company in Jerusalem, and will be leaving the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Hebrew University, in late February. I also finished another book, "Historical Perspectives: From the Hasmoneans to Bar Kokhba in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls," co-edited with David Goodblatt and Daniel Schwartz (Leiden: Brill, 2001).
"Human Texture." Fiber exhibit at the Arad Museum, Jan. 20 - Mar. 1, 2001. includes quilting, art made with found objects, photographs, sculptures, and Miriam Gidron's bobbin lace. Open daily 10:00-12:00, Mon. and Thur. also 17:00-19:00, and Sat. afternoons.
Workshop announcement: "Peruvian Pebble Weave in Card-(Tablet-) Weaving," taught by Haya Meyerowitz at Kibbutz Maale Hahamisha, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, 10:00-16:00. This class is suitable for beginners. The cost is membership in the Jerusalem Fiber Craftsman (40 NIS annually; you can pay at the workshop). Supplies: four cards made from cereal-box cardboard, cotton yarn, and two C-clamps. Please call Haya at 586-1523 to register before Feb. 15.
The January 30 meeting of the Oasis Guild was held at Donna's house in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, and was attended by Haya, Ellen, Jennifer, Naomi, Manya, Ethel-Sherry, and visitor Stacy Smith from the San Diego Knitters. Stacy is visiting Israel for three weeks. She passed on a tip: instead of sewing a button to a cardigan, reverse the button (many have attractive backs) and tie it onto the sweater so that the yarn forms a tassel in front. Jennifer tied several buttons onto her baby sweater and announced that she had an FO. We tried very hard to arrange a conference call with Althea, who couldn't attend, but she wasn't answering her cell-phone.
"Knitting Part of the Lesson Plan." At Hilltown Cooperative Charter School in Haydenville, Mass., kids are taught how to knit, weave, and do macrame by their teacher, Dan Zulawski. http://www.gazettenet.com/01132001/schools/33881.htm (Avital )
"Housing Plan Opponents Insulted by 'Knitting Council'."
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_105075.html?nav_src=newsIndexHeadline. Next time you have to go to an annoying committee meeting, take your knitting. (URL contributed by Jennifer)
Textile Conservation URLs. http://www.sdnhm.org/research/collections/conservation/
http://www.sdnhm.org/research/collections/conservation/more.html
"In Praise of UFOs". This article on quilting is also of interest to knitters. http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=285938&src_cat_id=139 (Jennifer )
Knitted "Gypsy Skirt" pattern by Esmerelda, the Knitting Wench: http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=190149&src_cat_id=5811&id_list=299210,263363,252417,295751,190205,190149,191425,297644,245976,271350. You will probably have to cut and paste this URL because it is so long. Check out her home page for a number of free vintage knitting patterns, including jewelry, bags, "medieval" garb, and doll clothes: http://theknittingwench.terrashare.com (Avital)
TOP
PATTERN: HAYSTACK STRIPE VEST, by Marian Poller
Experience level: Intermediate
Finished bust measurement: 36 (38) (40)"
Length to underarm: 12 (12 1/2) (13)"
Finished length: 20 (21) (22)"
MATERIALS:
DK merino wool (120 meters/50 grams per ball): 2 (3) (3) balls blue(MC), 2 red(A), 2 gold(B)
Size 3.0 and 3.5 mm needles or size to obtain proper gauge
Sample project was completed with Adriafil Merino (100% merino wool from Adriafil)
GAUGE: 25 sts= 4" in pattern, 30 rows = 4"
To save time, take time to check gauge
PATTERN STITCH (Barbara Walker Second Treasury, p. 58)
(multiple of 6 sts + 2)
Row 1 (WS): With MC: K1,* p1 wrapping yarn twice, p1, p1 wrapping yarn twice, p3*, rep from *, k1
Row 2 (RS): With A, K4,* sl 1 wyib dropping extra st, k1, sl 1 wyib dropping extra wrap, k3*; rep from*, end last repeat k1 instead of k3
Row 3: With A, k1*, sl 1 wyif, p1, sl 1 wyif, p3,* rep from *, end k1
Row 4: With A: k4, *drop st off needle to front of work, sl 1 wyib, drop next stitch off needle to front of work, then with LH needle pick up first dropped stitch, sl the center st from RH needle back to LH needle, then pick up second dropped st and replace it on LH needle, then k6 (the 3 sts just crossed and following 3 sts), rep from *, end last rep k4 instead of k6.
Row 5: With A, k1, *p3, p1 wrapping yarn twice, p1, p1 wrapping yarn twice, rep from *, end k1
Row 6: With B, k1, * sl 1 wyib dropping extra wrap, k1, sl 1 wyib dropping extra wrap, k3, rep from *, end k1
Row 7: With B: K1, *p3, sl 1 wyif, p1, sl 1 wyif, rep from *, end k1
Row 8: With B: k1, rep from * of row 4 across to last st, end k1
Row 9: With B: rep row 1
Row 10-13: With MC, repeat rows 2-5
Rows 14-17: With A, rep rows 6, 7, 8, and 1
Rows 18-21: With B, rep rows 2-5
Rows 22-24: With B, rep rows 6-8
Repeat rows 1-24
BACK:
With size 3 mm ndls, CO 104 (110) (116) sts and work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2".
Beg patt: With WS facing, change to size 3.5 mm ndls and beg patt.
When work measures 11 (11 1/2) (12)" from beg, BO 8 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then (dec 1 st at each end of every RS row) 7 times 74 (80) (86) sts. Work even in est patt until back measures 9 (9 1 /2) (10)" above armhole.
SHOULDER SHAPING:
Next row: Work 19 (21)(23) sts, bind off center 36 (38) (40) sts and work 19 (21)(23) sts. Knit each side separately for 2 rows and BO.
FRONT:
Work as for back until 6 1/4 (6 3/4) (7 1/4)" long.
FRONT NECK SHAPING:
work 25 (27)(29) sts. Bind off center 24 (26)(28) sts. Working each side separately, dec 1 st at neck edge on EOR 6 times. Work even until same length as back to shoulder. BO all sts.
FINISHING:
Sew shoulder seams or do 3-needle bind off.
NECKBAND:
With smaller ndls, MC and RS facing, pick up and k 22 (24) (26) sts along left front neck edge, 24 (26) (28) sts along center front, 22 (24) (26) sts along right neck edge and 36 (38) (40) sts from back neck: 104, 112, 120 sts. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1 1/4". BO loosely in rib.
ARMHOLE BANDS:
With smaller ndls, A and RS facing, evenly pick up and k 110 (116) (120) along armhole edge. Work in ribbing for 1". BO in rib. Sew side seams.
Copyright 2001, Marian Poller. All rights reserved.
TOP
© The Oasis Knitting Guild, 2001. "The Electronic Camel" is edited and
distributed by Avital to members of the Oasis Knitting Guild at the end of each
month. In order to include your stories and announcements, please try to submit
them to mspinnik@mscc.huji.ac.il no later than the 25th of each month (civil
calendar).
