Cast on, get it? (OK, sorry.)

Nothing is more aggravating than casting on using the long tail method and running out of yarn before you have the requisite number of stitches. As a general rule of thumb, you use 3 times the width of your project. For example, if your piece will measure 21″, use a 63″ tail of yarn to cast on. Better to have too much than too little. If your project will require seaming, consider adding an additional 12″ or so to use for that.

Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes marry, have I,

Three bags full;

One for my master,

One for my dame,

But none for the little boy

Who cries in the lane.

This nursery rhyme probably dates to the Middle Ages, when England was the major player in the international wool trade. A tax had been placed upon wool, with 1/3 going to the”master” (local lord), 1/3 to the “dame” (the church), and the rest (or none?) to the “little boy” in the lane (local farmer). In recent years it has become a subject of controversy, with early childhood teachers converted black sheep to rainbow sheep to avoid any hint of racism.

The color of the sheep in the rhyme must also be of some significance. Black wool is difficult to dye and would therefore seem to have little use in making textiles. However many shepherds prized black fleece and kept one dark sheep in a flock of white ones. When the fiber was carded for spinning a little of the black was mixed in with the white to produce a light-grey wool. The cloth made from ‘grey’ wool was believed to be warmer and more weather proof than that made from only white fleece. Unlike the pure black wool it could be easily dyed.

On the other hand, a single black ram could contaminate the whiteness of a flock’s fleece. This is probably the source of the unflattering phrase, “black sheep of the family.” The first record in print is from Charles Macklin’s The man of the world, a comedy, 1786:

“O, ye villain! you – you – you are a black sheep; and I’ll mark you.”

I’m not sure that a breed of sheep with pure black wool actually exists.  In days of yore, a “black” sheep was any sheep that wasn’t white. Most  dark fleeces have at least a tinge of noticeable brown or gray in their fleece. If anyone knows of a pure black, I’d like to see a picture and know the breed. Maybe the Welsh Mountain sheep?

I made these in pink a couple of  years back, and really have enjoyed wearing them.

Lace weight yarn, size 2 (US) needles. From Crystal Palace Yarns.

pattern link

Crystal Palace is removing this pattern in March 2009. Be sure to obtain a copy if you need one.

In centuries past, January 7th, the day following Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, was known as St. Distaff’s Day. It was not really a holiday, nor is there really a “St. Distaff”. But the marking of this day by common people indicates the importance of spinning in the days before the industrial revolution. The distaff, or “rock”, was the medieval symbol of women’s work. Year round, spinning was a never-ending chore. During the Christmas season, however, both men and women took a break from many chores during the 12 days of the holiday.

But on January 7, the festivities were officially ended, and women would resume their daily round of household tasks. Men, however, did not resume ploughing until Plough Monday, when their ploughs were blessed. That left young men with time to play pranks on the girls, as described by a poem by Robert Herrick. But whereas women would recommence spinning on Distaff Day, the men did not return to the plough until after Plough Monday when their ploughs had been blessed.

“You must on St. Distaffs Day:
From the plough soon free your team;
Then cane home and fother them:
If the maids a-spinning go,
Burn the flax and fire the tow.
Bring in pails of water then,
Let the maids bewash the men.
Give St. Distaff’ all the right:
Then bid Christmas sport good night,
And next morrow every one
To his own vocation.”

So St Distaff’s Day, or Rock Day, as it was sometimes called, was a final opportunity for some playful high jinks,with the lads setting fire to the flax and in return, the maids soaking the men from the water-pails… Life might have been difficult during the middle ages, but there was still some room for fun.

One More Skein is divided into four sections, containing patterns for adult hats, gloves and scarves, some unusual garments for babies, a collection of bags, and household items. Each project requires a couple of skeins of yarn, with the exception of the blanket pattern, which would be great for using up leftover yarns in different colors. My personal favorite is the linen placemat pattern. The appendix includes instructions for specific knitting techniques and a list of suppliers.

While author Leigh Radford has introduced some original design elements, as a lifelong knitter, I find this collection a bit too basic. On the other hand, it would probably be of great interest to beginners or those looking for some quick, easy, and attractive gifts.

Beautifully photographed by John Mulligan.

pattern

Not exactly how the song goes, but it’s become a perennial source of merriment – the over the top Christmas sweater, which now comes in endless variations.  I subscribe to iVillage UK News, and this morning they posted a slide show of some of the very best sweaters in the entire kingdom. Just a bit of Christmas humor!