Knitting, sewing, gardening, and the occasional gluten-free recipe.
As we near the end of the month, I can confirm I completed my March read. I really enjoyed this in depth look at The Final Year of Anne Boleyn, by Natalie Grueninger. It is well written and researched, and is updated with current information. She researched the primary sources herself, and has come up with her own supported conclusions. If you’re a Tudor history or Anne Boleyn fan, it’s a must read.
I’m also enjoying my course with the author: 365 Days of Anne Boleyn. I’m so glad I signed up!
In preparation for The Boleyns, A Scandalous Family, and also the 365 Days with Anne Boleyn lecture series next year, I purchased some Anne Boleyn Hever Rose Portrait fabric on Spoonflower. Thinking this print repeat was pretty large, I also ordered some red Tudor Rose fabric to use with it. Oops! The Tudor Rose print repeat is even larger!
My plan was to pay homage to the Tudor square necked gown by sewing a square neck Fern blouse, using the Tudor Rose fabric for the bodice and cap sleeves, and the Anne Boleyn portrait fabric for long flowy sleeves and an extended peplum. Since both fabrics have a large print size, I may need to rethink my plan.
I do love how the current fascination with the Tudor era is inspiring fashion!
In addition to the Vertices Unite Knitalong (KAL), I’ve joined another shawl KAL! This one is run by Malabrigo, and I’ve signed up through Mass Ave Knit Shop. I was visiting Indianapolis this week for work, and of course I stopped by the yarn store! The yarn on the left is for the KAL: Arroyo in Marte, Cian, and Frank Ochre. The pattern is La Mondiola Wrap. I guess 2022 is going to be The Year of the Shawl for me.
The pink is Chunky in Hollyhock. I’ve been wanting to knit a Getting Warmer Cowl for myself, and this color stopped me in my tracks. I’ve knit one already for a silent auction item from merino I picked up in Kenya that I dyed vermillion red. I loved knitting it and trying it on, and wanted to make one for myself. I think this pink will look fantastic with my royal blue melton coat I’m going to sew!
The necklace in my photo is from Purlsmith. I love their sterling stitch marker jewelry. And right now I am really identifying with the rough freshwater pearl, feeling as though I’ve been through the wash a few times but still have some rough spots to smooth out. Although today I’m wearing a green agate stitch marker on my necklace, which I received in my Yuletide Mystery Box from November Woods Fiber Co. I can’t believe I never blogged about that. It was a lovely gift to myself in December, including indigo dyed green yarn and a handmade mug.
Did you know this month is Bloganuary? I’m getting a late start. Today’s prompt is to write about what year you would travel to — back in time — if you could. My answer is 1536: Tudor England. Henry VIII turns England upside down for Anne Boleyn, she is queen for three years, and then he has her beheaded. What the heck happened?! I have read and watched so many historic and fictional accounts, but none of them satisfy my curiosity. My latest acquisition is The Story of the Death of Anne Boleyn: A Poem by Lancelot de Carle. His poem is an eye witness account of the event in verse form written for the French king. The book is a translation with essays by Joann DellaNeva. The poem is not new, but a full version has been discovered that was suppressed in England because it’s pro-Anne. I guess Henry didn’t like that.
I finished the neckline on Lilac Heather Cumulus Blouse.
Picking up stitches can be such a crapshoot. I’m not 100% happy with some of those neckline stitches, but I’m too lazy to redo it. Maybe it will block out. Hopefully today I’ll get started on the sleeves.
About halfway through the day yesterday I started coming down with something. I blame my youngest who was home sick yesterday. Just an upper respiratory thing, but I’m going to try to take it easy this weekend.
It’s almost September. Can you believe it?
Snakes & Cranes 