The materials I used were very important to the finish I wanted to
achieve with this Snug. I chose quite expensive yarns for the body of the piece
and for the decoration. I think I used real wool rather than a synthetic one
and a Mohair yarn for the trim and ruffles. I wanted it to feel plush and
tactile.
You can achieve quite a lot with acrylic wools
in terms of colour options and affordability. I know a lot of knitters knock
them for various reasons (reasons which I am sure are totally justified) but I
guess I am a bit more of a democratic knitter myself. I would love to have an
“Only Real Wool” motto on my knitting bag but unfortunately, living on an
artist’s wages means you can’t always get what you want. Real wools are beautiful,
natural and so warm but they can come with a hefty price tag. I totally admit I
still haven’t gotten the knack of buying wool on-line which I’m sure makes it
much more affordable.
I’m more a buy-a-ball-as-I-need-it kind of
girl. Sometimes, when I see things like “Real knitters only use Real wool” I
feel like it is kind of exclusionary. I think if someone has two euro to buy a
ball of wool and they make something fabulous with it, where is the harm in
that? Even if they make something terrible, who cares? Children could learn to
knit the basics with cheap wool to give their parent’s budget a break and if
they really get into it then they could move on to the hard stuff.
I don’t really want to knock anybody here but
sometimes I would prefer if people wouldn’t be so absolute about things. I
don’t want to have to hide my acrylic wool like a bad secret in a knitting
circle or worse, let what I can afford in terms of wool stop me going at all
because I don’t or can’t buy the real deal. There can be extremists in
everything but I don’t think they should always get the last word. I think I
will be a rebel and put on my knitting bag “I use all kinds of wool, I’m on a
budget”.
Rant over!
As you can see, even knitting has politics.
Someone will probably tell me tomorrow how terrible acrylic wool is for the
environment or something and I’ll have to take the whole darn thing back. Don’t
be surprised if you see a “I’ve been converted, I use real wool” sign on my
post tomorrow.
I have gotten totally side-tracked and all
riled up. Sorry about that. I wanted Constance Curio here to have quite a
sophisticated look to her (even if she is a tea cosy with googly eyes) I chose
rich, deep colours and I layered her bustle with frills lace and feathers. She
also has a decorative feathered flower in the front and a Venetian mask. I
think she is the kind of snug who has sumptuous dinner parties with dancing
afterwards.
It takes all kinds of wool and all kinds of
people to make the things I make. A colour will inspire me one day, a texture
the next and sometimes, it is something beautiful someone has said about a loved
one that will turn that light bulb on in my head. It all comes to the same end
though; a unique and personal art piece to be treasured.
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