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ELIZABETH ZIMMERMANN AND THE EMERGENCE OF CRITICAL KNITTING

PART 2

In the second part of  an eight-part series, Dr. Lilly Marsh helps us get to know Elizabeth Zimmermann.  We get to hear EZ’s knitting origin story, learn about three aspects of her knitting identity, and dig deeper into the terms critical knitting and cultural production.

There is an ongoing discussion on this Ravelry thread, where Dr. Lilly chimes in.  We will begin a Baby Surprise Jacket knit along in March and continue until the series concludes.

Many of you have expressed your gratitude for this in-depth exploration of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s life and your wish to make a contribution to our efforts.  A donation to the Hudson Valley Textile Project is an excellent way to honor our work and to promote sustainable textile production in the region where we live and work.

Domesticity, Professionalism, and the Artist Housewife                (with a nod to Usula Le Guin)

images provided by Dr. Lilly Marsh

Busy Knitter 2nd Series

Walrus Club news clipping 1957

News clipping featuring EZ decorating for Walrus Club event, probably from the Shorewood Herald

Article from Woman’s Day January 1955

Television appearance 1961 (in COLOR)

Shorewood Herald clipping about EZ knitting for her daughter, Meg

European aristocracy wedding photos….these were in EZ’s scrapbook and must have been a family she knew, perhaps worked for in the past.  But it is an excellent look into those who were employing her as an English speaking companion. –LM

Scarf Girl– the story behind this is funny—EZ sent items to either Woman’s Day or Vogue (I think Vogue) for photo shoot and this was included in what was returned to her. The story was told to me that Arnold was ‘never able to feel the same way about his scarf’! –LM

with a nod to Ursula K. Le Guin

• article about Arwen Curry’s 2018 documentary The Worlds of Ursula Le Guin, which was first screened at SanFrancisco’s Litquake Festival
• The Worlds of Ursula Le Guin can be rented on Amazon

 

 

 

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Winter Storm Uri is only hours away, so here’s the latest in knitting, kal, birding, and spinning news! Look for spinning progress on my supported and suspended spindles as I add photos to my IG stories as part of the #100daysproject.

There is great conversation going on the Ravelry thread for Episode 267, Part 1 of a series with Dr. Lilly Marsh. Thank you for all of your praise and participation!  We’ve had the suggestion for a Baby Surprise Jacket knit along — which we will begin on March 1!

I’m so pleased to have my designs included in The Woolly Thistle’s #TWTcolorkal2021.  Use the code on Ravelry for a 50% discount on either of my colorwork hat patterns (One Dark Blue Night above / Distelfink below) through February 20th.

THE BACK PORCH

I got a very handsome result on the Cabled Cushion kit, a gift from BarbLynn of WildRoseTextiles.  She has kits in several sumptuous colorways in her shop.  Yarns at Yin Hoo listeners can save 15% by using the code YINHOO15 until April 1.  

New Year’s Eve themed yarn made a great pair of Valentine’s Day socks for Mom.  Three x one rib is becoming my go-to sock recipe. I’m also fond of a rounded toe.  I provide an overview of my technique for this sock on my Ravelry project page.

THE FRONT PORCH

One finished pair of socks — one new cast on.  This is the Cherry Blossom Festival colorway from KnitSpinFarm and I adore it!

I’m making steady progress on the Glynn pullover in Harrisville nightshades yarn.  Taking liberties with the design as usual, I’m knitting on the recommended needles, in one size smaller than specified for my measurements.  So far, I like the fit.  I’ve kitchenered the front and back together instead of performing a 3-needle bind off, and I’ve seamed up the sides and have picked up stitches for the sleeves.

OFF THE SHELF

“Notes on the Peanut” by June Jordan

 

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ELIZABETH ZIMMERMANN AND THE EMERGENCE OF CRITICAL KNITTING

PART 1

In this, the first of an eight-part series, I talk with Dr. Lilly Marsh, who examined the influence of EZ in her doctoral thesis at Purdue University.  In this episode, Dr. Marsh explains the genesis of her project, and shares details of the sources that provided context for her research.  We spend some time talking about the state of knitting in the United States during the mid-century (1950’s) and the need for a knitter to speak for herself and thus encourage other knitters to speak for themselves.

Dr. Marsh has shared some photographs of materials from her own collection.  There is an ongoing discussion on this Ravelry thread.

We begin our conversation with a discussion of the timeless image of the knitter.   Here is an image of a pre-industrial knitter.

Here is an image in the modern style, but we can see that the posture and hand placement are much the same in both images.  Despite this, Dr. Marsh argues, “The act of knitting, and the individual knitter, is, like any activity, highly contextualized within the framework of culture and history.”

Vogue Knitting Lake Placid issue Spring 1958

Woman’s Day January 1952

Woman’s Day EZ byline Norwegian Sweater 1952

EZ’s beret image in 1957 Woman’s Day

Bernat 1957 cover Fashions and Fun for the “Almost Teens”

Suspender Sweater featured in Bernat

The Work Basket (for pleasure and profit) 1950

Number Knitting by Virginia Woods Bellamy 1952

Number Knitting pattern example

Knitting Dictionary translated from French Mon Tricot

 

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It’s a quick episode, with some announcements and updates on knitting projects!  I will work on coming back with some photos later this week!

UPCOMING KNIT & CHAT

Our knit & chat will follow a free online seminar about the Backyard Bird Count hosted by the Appalachian Mountain Club at 7pm EST on Thursday, January 28th.

Link to ZOOM INFO (RAV link post #17) on the Birding Chat Ravelry thread.  Everyone is welcome to post to this thread.  We are united by our common interest in becoming more proficient birders and making the most of our time in / observing nature.

THE FRONT PORCH

• Glynn by Whitney Hayward in Harrisville nightshades VINYL

EVER-EXPANDING SKILL SET

• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting on Food52

This recipe uses one 15 oz. can of pumpkin and makes 18 moist and delicious cupcakes.  I am really impressed with the result!

NOTE: I reduced the oil in this recipe from 1 cup to 1/4 cup.  Next time, I might consider adding only a tblsp or none at all.  The egg and pumpkin in this recipe do the work of oil, in my opinion.

I also reduced the white sugar from 1 1/2 cups to 1/2 cup.

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New projects on the needles, a finished garment that has been months in the making, more experimentation with espresso powder, and our inaugural poet!

• Cabled Pillow Kit by Wildrose Textiles
• ribbed socks in “Fireworks at Midnight” colorway from Naiama Bond

• Completed Alabama Chanin inspired sleeveless tunic
  • fabric: organic soy knit from The Confident Stitch
  • thread: Coats and Clark button thread in Slate
  • dress pattern: improvised Endless Summer Tunic
  • bolero pattern: Alabama Chanin bolero

• Dropcloth samplers

• Glocusent neck reading light

#powerpantry

• substitute for 2 tblsp. tomato paste: 8 finely diced sundried tomatoes, 2 tsp. espresso powder, 2 tsp. miso paste; splash of balsamic vinegar

• Espresso crusted scallops (one quantity of the espresso crust was enough for two dinners)

“In This Place” by Amanda Gorman

FORBES article about our 22-year-old inaugural poet

 

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In this episode, I provide a review of some recently completed knitting and stitching projects, and share some ideas for using espresso powder.  Known as “chocolate’s best friend,” this product deepens, darkens and intensifies all sorts of flavors.  We have had some fun experimenting with it.

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UPCOMING ZOOM STITCH & CHAT

I have signed up for Holly Merker’s Basic Birding Skills webinar, hosted by Hawk Mountain.  The cost is $9.40 including fees, and takes place on Thursday, January 21 form 7-8 pm EST.

Afterwards, Yarns at Yin Hoo listeners are invited to join a zoom session.  We will stitch and chat and talk about what we learned from the webinar, as well as our own birding tips and insights.  If you would like a zoom link, contact me via Ravelry, email or IG.

Hello, Waffles.  You are a seriously cute puppy.  LINK to Ravelry project notes.

Currently on the needles:

• shortie socks knit in KnitSpinFarm’s Apple Cider colorway
• cabled pillow (gift kit from WildRoseTextiles)

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#powerpantry

• espresso powder from King Arthur
• Espresso Crusted Scallops
• Scallops with Espresso Beurre Blanc
• Decadent Hot Cocoa (makes a great gift)

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My marsma.  With thanks to Sarah Hunt, who walked Emily and I through this process.  The layout you see above was achieved after hours of maneuvering.  I decided to reverse the motifs so that they can be appreciated when the pouch is folded up (see below.  I also decided to incorporate some of the shisha embroidery techniques I learned from Shanaz Khan — and this also helped me pull the yellow into the wide end of the case.

The interior is lined with fabric.  I chose a paisley from stash.  There is a pocket for storing stitching supplies.  Then, I decided to add some storage for needles and a pin cushion.  My pin from Katie Green monitors the situation and helps to keep everything in good order.

The pouch at the narrow end of the marsma is tempting for storage of scissors, but they tend to slide out.  So I find it’s useful for thread, which stays in place a little better.  Below you can see how the pouch is folded and wrapped for storage, so the contents stay neatly tucked away.