Out Like a Lamb
March 14, 2019
Well, we’ll see. While we’re experiencing record low temperatures for March its the perfect time to start the segue to Spring with a simplequietmodern project like the Elementary Wrap from Purl Soho, knit up in their Linen Quill…a transitional combination of wool, alpaca and linen. Get it on the sticks now and you’ll be ready to wrap yourself up just in time for that first Spring outing.
Shown in Kettle Black, Linen Quill is available in 30 additional colors. And, the pattern is free…https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/05/02/elementary-wrap-in-linen-quill/
Photos: gp
Back Up Plan
June 7, 2017
As usual, the weather has been a little loopy. More rain and cooler temperatures than you’d expect, particularly when the forecast promised warmth and sun. Taking that as inspiration I’ve been getting “loopy” as well…putting some scraps and down time to good use. I’m thinking a little creative experimentation now should come in handy come Fall. We’ll see.
photos:gp
47,335,389
November 27, 2014
47,335,389 minutes adds up to ninety years. And, ninety years adds up to one special life. First a daughter and sister…then a wife and mother…and on to grandmother and great-grandmother. Ninety years of loving life, loving children, loving animals…all the while raising a family and working as an RN, early on in the nursery and later in your career in surgery. Add Breast Cancer Survivor to the list and well…what else is there to say? We are all very thankful for you, particularly on this Thanksgiving, which is your 90th birthday. I think 47,335,389 minutes deserves at least 48,000 stitches…each one a different combination of color…coming together in this modern knit to warm you as you plan for your next milestone…100! With more love than you can imagine coming to you today, Happy Birthday Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma. It’s time for some “bubbly”.
photos:gp
Creative block…
September 19, 2014
to color block. It could be the simplequietmodern solution to the earlier challenge. A richly textured, richly colored new wool blanket split asymmetrically in two. Let’s see what develops.
Koishe one
January 26, 2014
Like raked gravel in a zen garden, this project was a study in calm. Koishe one is done. What could have been balls of black linen yarn sitting indefinitely until inspiration struck, this modern knit linen blanket almost rose on it’s own from the remnants of the aborted sweater project from last fall. It seems that once the yarn was doubled and a suitable stitch pattern revealed itself, it was all done except for the knitting. And, the pattern being what it was, that went quickly as well. The end result was even better than I had imagined; beautiful hand , weight and drape with a richly textured bobble on one side reversing to a deep ridge on the other. I’m starting to think that this is what that yarn wanted to be all along. I should have known. What could be more simplequietmodern than a black linen blanket?
Get ’em while they’re hot!
January 19, 2014
Or, more accurately, pre-order now for February 2014 shipment before the second run sells out too. This piece, by Zaishu… a slot together table/stool…is a collaboration between Australian photographer/designer Matthew Butler and architect/designer Kirsten Johnstone. The image of her wool knit fabric has been applied to his sustainable plywood panels to great effect. Plywood and wool…hard and soft. Insert tab A into slot B and put to beautiful good use. Now what could be more simplequietmodern than that?
To order…http://www.zaishu.com/
or, to see what my friend Kirsten is up to next visit her here: http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/2013/12/zaishu-big-design-market/ (photos courtesy of Kirsten as well.)
Another year over…
January 1, 2014
and a new one just begun.* The perfect time to be grateful for the good of the last year and set forth on a new and creative path for the next twelve months. Not one prone to the making and breaking of resolutions, I have always found that committing things to paper…notes, bits of inspiration, plans for upcoming projects, events or personal goals…can not only organize your thoughts, but gives you a resource to refer back to and evaluate your progress. A hardbound sketchbook or journal is always my simplequietmodern must have, although a designated project pad can do the trick. Keep it handy to jot down a thought, tuck in a bit of inspiration or flip back to enjoy each progressive step. The clock for 2014 has started ticking. On your mark….get set….
top to bottom
The classic Braun travel alarm clock ,now in gray, will help keep track of those fleeting minutes at home or away. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/classic-bnc002-clock-in-grey.html
What could have been a disaster rose from the ashes of a failed project to become Koishi one… one big, thick and richly textured linen blanket.
This sculpture greets and inspires me daily. Created completely of recycled LA Times newsprint, it brings home the idea that the great beauty can be found in the most humble material.
The found nests in my yard pale in comparison to this Australian example captured by my friend Kirsten Johnstone. It’s easy to see how it’s texture, form and structure caught her architects eye. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/blog/
The best part of my everyday…the “Hambone” Jaxon. The full-out belly laughs he induces daily are the best gift one could hope to receive.
Staring me down from a basket on the corner of my desk, these two yarns in gray and olive seemed to want to work together. Looking good so far.
The beginnings of a great Winter salad of Farro, roasted red grapes and red onions. I’ll post the simplified Martha recipe soon to help you get back on track after the holidays.
Classic. Black Minnetonka moccasins. They help me keep my focus on the warmer months to come.
Raw wood. You can almost smell it can’t you? The simplicity of the design and use of a single material in this space says it all. http://remash.tumblr.com/
A glass of your favorite sparkler for toasting to your perfect health, success and happiness in this New Year 2014
*So This Is Christmas, John Lennon
There’s still time…
December 12, 2013
to get that hand knit gift cast on, cast off and wrapped up before Christmas. Start with some giant sticks and some giant merino yarn from Loopy Mango, add the simplest knit or purl stitch and a couple of hours. Et voila….a little Christmas magic. Who on your list wouldn’t love a scarf , wrap or throw with this much style and panache? It’ll go so quickly you might want to knock one out for yourself as well.
yarn and blanket photos: Loopy Mango
Candy, Candy Canes…
December 10, 2013
candy corns…syrup*. Who knew that one of these…of Elf’s main food groups… could be so disarming? A pocketful of candy canes is just great to carry around, ready to hand out and diffuse some impending holiday meltdown. It could be the nasty person in line at Starbucks giving the barista a hard time or the weary sales clerk at any retail location, who just needs a smile and a break, that can benefit from this simple gesture. I started doing this years ago, begining my day armed and ready. And, I always returned home with an empty pocket, feeling good. Interesting how bringing a sweet unexpected smile to someone will always have one coming back to you.
* Elf
Second Chances
October 3, 2013
I was determined to find a perfect application for the 1800 plus yards of black linen that were left in the wake of the aborted test knit project. So, I got to it…knitting up swatch after swatch on sticks sized 2 and up. It soon became clear to me that this particular yarn wasn’t the perfect medium for a garment…at least not for me. Then what? Another blanket? Knitting with the yarn doubled proved to be successful, particularly in this simple stitch configuration that ends in a deep narrow rib on one side of the fabric and a textural bobble on the flip. Looks like we may have a simplequietmodern winner.
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