what in the world?!
"I sometimes wonder if two
thirds of the globe is covered in red carpet." -- Prince Charles
I've been avoiding my blog. I
have this great news to share that absolutely terrifies me. I know this
sounds crazy, but so be it.
The good news.
I have been awarded a commission to
create a Cool
Globe! The project is like Cows on Parade
but Chicago this summer.
with an environmental twist. The finished globes will be on display in
Reality.
A globe 5 feet in diameter is a heck
of a lot bigger in person than imagined, especially as I will be knitting a
sweater for it. The idea I proposed is as follows:
A frequent refrain in my home is
“Mom, I’m cold.” My response is always the same – put on a sweater! A sweater
acts as a second skin. It insulates the body, trapping warm air, while allowing
moisture to evaporate. Wearing a finely knit wool sweater allows me to keep the
thermostat low throughout the winter. As a result, I save money and conserve
energy.
Knitting itself has experienced a
popular resurgence. Recent statistics show that 25% of American women under the
age of 40 now regularly engage in the activity. It is a flexible and portable
medium with endless creative possibilities. As a knitter and previous owner of
a local yarn store, I am familiar with the properties of yarns, twines, and
ropes as well as their varying abilities to withstand the elements. For
centuries, fishermen have worn sweaters knit with wool yarns containing
lanolin. The lanolin is a natural byproduct of sheep and acts as waterproofing
agent while the wool provides warmth. Modern fibers, such as nylon and
polypropylene, resist mildew and rot, are U.V. stabile, and withstand abrasion.
These synthetic twines and ropes are a popular choice for use in marinas,
fishing, and construction.
I propose to knit a “sweater” to
keep a cool globe warm on chilly days. Using nylon twine, the sweater will be
knit in four sections. Following the curves of the globe, I will knit the land
areas in green and gold and the water areas with blue. After construction, the
sections will be seamed together for a tight fit. As nylon has some give, it
will easily accommodate the varied surface of the globe, much in the same way a
sweater hugs the body. To decrease the possibility of vandalism, the
nylon twine will be fairly thick, knitting at approximately 12 stitches a foot.
As with any sweater, repairs can be made if necessary.
I made some swatches using a
polpropolyne rope purchased from Home Depot which worked well, so I know I am
on the right track. The quantity I need is more than Home Depot is able
to supply, so I've contacted several suppliers for samples. I also
contacted the artist Adele Shaw
for her advice and she raised a point I hadn't considered. The type of
rope I need is in hot demand since Hurricane Katrina. It's used to hold
tarps in place over homes being rebuilt. One supplier believes they have what I
need in terms of color and quantity. They are sending samples for me to
swatch, so keep your fingers crossed.
I can do this - right?! This
begins to take power knitting to the extreme. I'm not built like Pate
Conaway. I don't have the muscles to handle 4' needles.
Check out the photo. I am actually leaning while standing
straight. I have scoliosis and the long hours of knitting and working at
my embroidery frame leave me twisted like a pretzel. How many folks
actually go to the gym for a knitting workout? Me. I need to get
back to the gym, write the pattern (more on that soon), obtain the cord / rope,
and varnish the globe.
Wowwwwwwwww ! Congrats! It's going to be a lot of work but I'm sure the result will be worth it!
Hope you'll find the rope you need!
Posted by: Steph | March 04, 2007 at 09:03 AM