Sunday, December 23, 2007

Christmas is almost here!




Here is my dear husband's (Chris)
first attempt at woodturning -
just playing a little and using whatever wood he
had on hand. Well, I had to make something of it
seeing that he had tried very hard.
So it became an old world Santa!

Concerning the other spoolknitters that I
have to paint, there has been little time to
complete them, so they will now have
to wait until January.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

SPEAR'S HISTORY BOOK

I received an interesting book today from Francis Spear.
Called "Games We Play", it tells of the history of J. W. Spear
& Sons - the Spear's Games Empire, and most importantly
to me, the makers of the fabulous Spear's Knitting Nancy.

Above, is the cover of the book and below, is part of the
marvellous artwork on the cover showing the Knitting Nancy.



I made a fabulous discovery too - what I have been referring to as
"Knitting Neville" (my nickname), is in fact a "Peter" or Strick-Peter
(Knitting Peter). I put to Francis Spear the query that perhaps the
"Peter" was designed to encourage boys to take up the craft, and
Francis agreed.



The Knitting Nancy is just a very small part of the story.

If you would like to know more, click here for the website and
you can also order a book for yourself. Don't delay as supplies
are limited.




Sunday, December 9, 2007

ANOTHER CAT!!


Here is the second newly painted cat spool knitter.
Work is still continuing.
Check back again, soon!!


Friday, December 7, 2007

CAT!!


After a few days of hot weather which is not ideal
conditions for painting, for me at least, today was cooler.
So, work on the spoolknitters has begun.
Here is the first, a cat.
It is my design and somewhat of an
experiment as to whether it would work. I didn't
want a cute cat, but a little more realistic.
I really concentrated on the face.




Well, I think I achieved the look I wanted.

Work is continuing weather permitting!


Thursday, December 6, 2007

VERY NOVEL!


These are recently found new spool knitters.
Cat, monkey, mouse, duck, zebra, and elephant.
Don't they look like a fun group - all with
their skinny body handles!



I thought you might enjoy seeing these while I am busy
painting more spool knitters.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

BLANK SPOOL KNITTERS

Ready to Paint!

Francois is amazing!
He can take my very rough drawing
and turn it into a spool knitter. His work is so beautifully done!
Here are four of the new spoolknitters ready for me
to paint. The one on the left is taken from a vintage spoolknitter,
and the three on the right are entirely my design.
I wonder if you can guess what they will be!

Below - the one in the middle you will probably recognise. I
am going to paint it like the vintage tricotins instead of a "knitting
Nancy" as previously done. (See post Knitting Nancy in October).
The two either side are an experiment and nothing more to
say there for now - you will just have to wait and see what
they will become.


Below - no guesses here - I think they will speak for
themselves!!!!


I am so thrilled to be able to paint these as the "Spears"
vintage Knitting Nancy(s).

Thankyou so much, Francois!

Check back soon for the results!

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