My Danish obsession
You may have noticed my growing obsession with all things Scandinavian. Lately, Denmark has taken the lead in my Nordic interests and I've been ogling Danish knitting blogs, intrigued by the patterns of various knit designers such as Hanne Falkenberg, Marianne Isager, Vivian Hoxbro and Karen Noe. Sooner or later I'll have to give in and buy one of those kits I've been coveting. Too bad the dollar is doing so poorly these days.
Here are a few Danish items that have made it to casa fluffbuff, often by roundabout ways.
Two Japanese embroidery books with Danish titles: Easy Embroidery and Small Embroidery. I am still not sure what the Danish connection is.
A Norwegian copy of Feminin Strik. I had been curious about this book for a while and finally got my copy from Nordic Fiber Arts.
The DVD of After the Wedding, a poignant drama, if a little melodramatic, with powerful and intimate performances. I enjoyed watching this movie to the point that I put down my knitting and turned off the Ott-Lite lamp. Trust me; it's a stellar endorsement. I was already a third into the movie when I noticed how enjoyable it was not to have to endure the heavy-handed musical treatment so typical of American movies. Mr. Spielberg could learn a thing or two about that. I still cringe at the recollection of Amistad, a movie plagued by over-the-top styling that turned gruesome scenes of abuse into renaissance tableaux of unbearable prettiness, and courtroom scenes looking as gripping and realistic as a prolonged shampoo commercial. And to top it all, overbearing music punctuation that never let you forget what the filmmaker wanted you to feel. Ah, yes… I can hear you say "Now, tell us how you really feel". Ok, cut to…
A big cone of Kauni Effektgarn, an Estonian wool sold by a Danish company come to me via a Canadian retailer. My first swatch was somehow disappointing as the yarn turned out to be scratchier than I expected and released an unpleasant odor after washing. Maybe it'll grow on me.
At least I have one Danish book I can actually read: Shadow Knitting.
Stay tuned for a post about Feminin Strik in the next few days.
Comments
Yeah ... the Nordic/N. European wools are all a bit too scratchy to me ... I think it is because they are made for outer wear to stand the harsh weather there. But the garments made are indeed really warm.
I am very interested in the review of Feminin Strik to come.
Wish you a wonderful 2008 to come.
Posted by: Agnes | December 29, 2007 11:25 AM
...an Estonian wool sold by a Danish company come to me via a Canadian retailer. My head spins. Of course, I was just coming off a movie review that mutated into a yarn description.
You will love that book! There's a Ravelry group for it if you need a translation.
Posted by: fleegle | December 29, 2007 12:11 PM
Looking forward to hearing more about the book. I'd love to go back to Scandinavia. I got a fab book when I was in Stockholm a few years ago, by a young Swedish designer who knitted entrelac at different angles, incorporated i-cord in unexpected places and generally turned preconceptions upside down.
And maybe the yarn will blossom into fragrant softness when you wash a swatch!
Posted by: rosie | December 29, 2007 1:15 PM
Hi Francesca,
I was interested to hear your analysis of the movie "After the Wedding". Yes, perhaps it's a little over the top but all those long shots of eyes - of people watching and looking - there was a stillness I appreciated. The actor who plays Jörgen (the wealthy industrialist) is one of my all-time favorite Swedish actors. He has played in many of the made-for-television-movies based on the Kurt Wallander series by author Henning Mankell.
I always enjoy your forays into foreign lands.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Susanna in Seattle | December 29, 2007 2:57 PM
Thanks for the holiday wishes; I hope 2008 is a great year for you!
Have you seen the Japanese version of "Domino Knitting" by Vivian Hoxbro? It's in the same series with the Norwegian Techniques books--complete with the same type of partial translation. If you'd like me to pick it up for you, just let me know!
Posted by: Rachele | December 29, 2007 4:18 PM
I also really like Nordic knitting. There is a Japanese book called "Nordic Knitting" by Kotomi Hayashi which you may already know... The book is really nice and written in both Japanese and English.
I checked your previous post about your shawl... What a beautiful knitting! I really love it very much.
Hope you have a wonderful new year!
Posted by: Kyoko | December 29, 2007 6:02 PM
it must viggo mortensen spreading danishness around. I bought isager's japan strik...I can send you a couple photos of its contents if you are interested. the chocolate and cheese are good over there too (:
Posted by: karen | December 29, 2007 6:07 PM
I've read somewhere that the connection between the Japanese designer/writer of the embroidery books with the Danish titles is that she was a student at the Danish craft school in Skals.
You can read a bit about it here
http://www.skalshaandarbejdsskole.dk/forside_lk_en.asp
It's the most amazing place where, every year in June, there's a much visited show of all the projects that the students have done. I do remember Japanese students being there some years ago.
Jette in Denmark
Posted by: Jette K | December 30, 2007 1:12 AM
Hi! You might want to check out "www.garnstudio.com" for thousands of free Scandinavian patterns of many different types. Godt nyt aar!
Posted by: Dan | December 30, 2007 11:23 AM
all the designers you mention are great - I think Falkenberg is my all time favorite knit designer. You're very adventurous to be knitting from a Danish book!!
Posted by: Marie | December 30, 2007 12:53 PM
I think what I like about the kits who's links you posted is that, unlike American patterns, they seem to be fitted to the form. I get so tired of sweaters that, although they may bost of beautiful yarns and colors, just look bad when worn because all they are is a bag with sleeves and a neck hole.
Posted by: Laura | December 30, 2007 11:29 PM