and the People’s Choice? V-I-G-G-O and Viggo was his name-O
OMG! How did I ever leave Colin Firth off of the list…
Travel once again is whispering in my ear – in a couple of weeks, I’m going up to Michigan to visit my family.
Yes, that’s UP. As a Midwesterner, I join all the other regional neighbors in the universal head shake that accompanies the Phrase “Upper Lower Michigan”. Or is it “Northern Lower“?
What I do know is that even though it is going to be the middle of May, the P.M. temperatures of the area will not be Kindly Springlike; ie. balmy, warm, caressing.
Nay. They will be cool and damp – we are almost in the deep woods – I’ll be visiting an area that bills itself the “Headwaters of the Pines” and indeed, this is a place where bath towels might fight to dry after a normal use. It’s the Trees.
But this, in the grand Chic Knits Tradition, calls for New Clothes – wool clothes – which are the only ones which shake their nappy fists at the Damp and Dread.
I am finishing the Elemental sweater I started this past winter. It is a fusion knit – part machine part hand – made from Jo Sharp DK in a rich navy. I love navy. Even better, if truth be told than I love black.
First up is seaming and blocking the sleeves – I get to use my little Michael Graves ironing board – so much fun! Steam pressing as a blocking move is something I first read about in the back of the Rowan magazines and it works very well with wool that is not in need of extreme shaping – the steam nudges, softens, and sets the stitches wonderfully without any pinning.
look out pine trees I’m comin’ to getcha…
Yes, but you’ll do important things like KIP before leaving for Michigan, right?
I was thinking just last night (while working on my sock bags) that I needed a cute little ironing board like that.
Now that I know it has dual capabilities for sewing and steam blocking knits, it’s a definite plan!
I’ll have to check out The Thrall’s Tale. Have you ever read Jane Smiley’s The Greenlanders? A favorite. And also historical fiction, based in early Greenland, with a dark tone. Must be those long dark winters.
Colin Firth. Yes. Can I change my vote to Colin Firth? He has a little of that “lost” look that would be perfect.
I love the UP! I’ll really miss it when I’m sweltering in 100-degree heat here in southern CA. If you’re going to be in the Marquette area, there’s a nice yarn shop there called Uncommon Threads. Just in case you need a fix. :)
I love that cool little sleeve ironing board!
Love the little ironing board! Since it’s Michael Graves, does that mean it came from Tar-zhay?
Oui! That is from the M. Graves household collection at Target a while back.
I was looking for that 3-section hamper of his the other day and almost burst into tears when they told me they were sold out! I want I need.
If bath towels never dry, I shudder to think of how long it would take to dry my hair. Eek!
Now, what if you had to choose between knitting a sweater for Viggo or Colin? hmmmm
Have fun up north! Love the good old upers :)
I love navy too! It’s not an oft loved color, but I will grab anything navy, gauranteed.
I missed the vote but have mentioned Colin Firth in your comments section before.
I have decided that every time I comment here from now on, my comment will include mention of Colin Firth so that you don’t forget again.
(Except perhaps I am the only person on the planet who hated that book, so I would not want my dear future husband Colin to sully himself.)
Hey Bonne Marie, I so enjoy reading your blog and checking your interesting links. and even book reviews! Thanks! It has become a part of my day. I’m not a celeb follower, but what the heck, I look at some of those too. Mostly, it is knitting information, education and inspiration that I get. I first read a tutorial of yours in Knitty and that’s how I got to your site. So again, Thanks! Jane
Mmm. I will knit the sweater for Viggo any day. Because of the fittings required.
You know, Bonne Marie, I’ve never, ever understood the fascination with black. Perhaps it is the whole Chanel “little black dress” thing, but black is one of those colors (or technically, it’s probably a “lack of colors”) that everyone THINKS they should have something to wear in (and if you are in NYC, the whole closet is in it, I think), but only about half the folks out there look decent in it. Navy blue, on the other hand, seems to be better for more people and doesn’t seem to have that “drain all color from your face and make you look like Morticia” thing going for it.
Yes, Tom Hanks is all wrong. But I feel those other choices aren’t quite right. While I was reading the book, I pictured but one actor in the Langdon role.
It’s him: http://www.james-brolin.com/brolin.jpg
Of course, I’d cast the bearded James Brolin of 1985 rather than the version consorting with Babs. By the way, the photo proves he has the key to the Code.
Good thing ya got the wool to keep you warm…
Clark-Dude – looks more like he won the Roe Conn Pontiac Primetime Challenge!!!!!!!!
Bonne Marie, as a born and bred Michigander I am still confused by all the “upper lower northern Michigan” talk. Living in West Michigan, anything north of Newaygo is “up north” to me. My hubby is from Traverse City, which I say is “way up north”, and as far as the UP-well, that to me is just the UP. ‘Nuff said. ;-)
And it has been cool and damp here. Bring the wool for sure, as I can only imagine what it is like in the pines!
Being a transplanted Yooper (I live in St Louis now but spend most of May thru October in Bay Harbor, which is just outside Petoskey)I think it’s the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Northern Michigan is still the UP to me. Anyone south of the bridge is a Troll and of course those of us north of the bridge are Yoopers. By the way do you go to the Dutch Oven while you’re up that way? It’s in Alanson.
I have already decided that whoever is a better choice than Mr Tom Hanks.
I just want to tell you that you are awesome in your experiment of yarns … what I mean is your using Aunt Lydia Denim for Jess. I don’t have Rowan 19 … but that jacket looks alarmly like Core in Rowan Treasury. There are lots of Rowan denim designs that I like … and I have long suspected that the Aunt Lydia yarns could be a substitute. I made Bomber from Rowan People using a cotton blend I got from Elann. I still have one cone of charcoal. But the good thing about Aunt Lydia Denim is that I can make the denim pattern in colours other than blues and ecru!
Sure the ironing board is cute, but I really like the mannequin! What is your source?
As a West Michigander, the Pines is “up North” and the UP is the UP. To me, Michigan is feeling quite balmy — the leaves are out and it’s raining instead of snowing. Yippee!
Oh my: big shout out to northern Michigan from Reno, Nevada where I’m dreaming of summer… while missing morel season in Emmet County. Planning to spend a month kniting on the porch at Bay View, just outside of Petoskey. That is, when I’m not knitting at the beach. (Okay, okay, I might go sailing, play some tennis, listen to some great concerts, read a few books, go to the Monday hotdog roasts…) Came on this site to find some projects: kismet! Great designs: gotta sort through the stash…