Mar 9, 2012

Calling London

Everyone's comments yesterday made me smile and, truth be told, I'm feeling very zen about the color change in my Jaavesi scarf.  As Marie wrote, I can just tell everyone who asks that it's a design element, or as I wrote privately to a few of you, I like to think of it as an eccentric quirk to a very beautiful design.  The designer, Annie Claire, has expressed such concern, but seriously, I know I'll love this scarf in spite of the dye issue because the yarn and design are so terrific.


Moving on, what am I thinking about today?  With spring in the air, my thoughts always turn to traveling.  I love to travel and whenever I can afford the time and money, I plan trips both to new places and to beloved ones.  Of all the many cities that I've had the lucky chance to explore, London is truly one of my favorites.  We have spent long family holidays in London, and I've been at least a half dozen times.  I never tire of being there and we're due for a visit soon (this photo was taken in 2007).




A big thrill for me during my graduate school days was to travel to London to do archival work at the Victoria & Albert Museum Archives in West Kensington. By that point, I already had two small children so it was hard for me to be apart from them and Mark but it was an opportunity that I didn't want to pass up. I was studying design history and spent every day in the archives reviewing diaries and sketches by a woman potter from the early 20th century. While I loved working on my subject, I now wish that I had focused on knitting and textiles instead since my love for these have grown exponentially over the years.


Still, via the wonderful world wide web, we all have the opportunity to do a little archival work right from our very own sweet spots.  The V&A has a link to their knitting and textile archives -- a dream come true for someone like me.  So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a few minutes to peruse their site.  And, by the way, I love the header photograph!

14 comments:

  1. London is on my wish list to visit someday. I went to Scotland last summer and it was amazing, but I'd love to see London. I hope you make it back soon, seeing as you seem to really love it.

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  2. I also dream of going to London, I love to travel, but I just don't have the time or money at this time in my life. I love your picture so much, it is perfect!
    I'm also so glad to hear that you are surviving though all of your recent knitting troubles, you should do a little, easy project (like a beanie?) to gain your confidence back!

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  3. That's so uncanny as I was in London yesterday visiting (my first time too). My daughter had a concert at the O2 and whilst she was rehearsing I managed to navigate the Tube by myself (I was rather proud of myself too) and spent a lovely time on Oxford Street before going to the concert. Suffering today though with tiredness (it was a four hour drive to London and a four hour drive back).

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  4. I wish I could go to london! I'm having travel fever as well. :)

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  5. So lucky to have gone to London! Your graduate work sounds so awesome and what an experience.
    I want to go and see the Queen's castle and stroll about Harry Potter's world.
    We would probably not take international trips until the girls are way older.

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  6. I went to London with my family when I was about 9 but don't have very strong memories. The archival research sounds great.

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  7. I do hope you get your visit soon. I have never been, except in my dreams. Spent some time reading through you previous knitting woes (sorry I only get time to read blogs on Saturdays, so I had a lot of catching up to do)
    I am glad you are finding your Zen with the scarf color change issue. I kind of like it! I do think it will the perfect design element!

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  8. It has been a long time since I was in London. I would love to go again some day.

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  9. London is such a cool place. I loved the greens, and the sense of history. One day I'll go back. Thanks for that great link to the V&A site!! I shall definitely be digging around in there soon.

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  10. London is also my favorite city in the world! (that I've visited so far) One of these days I'd love to explore further in the UK, especially the Lake District, Yorkshire and Scotland. We tend to stop by London for a few days on our way to Turkey. It breaks up the trip nicely!

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  11. I would love to go to London one day. what fun that you worked/studied there! If I ever go, I'm asking you for tips!

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  12. I've been to London twice and I absolutely loved it both times. There's so much history to explore and I didn't have nearly enough time (either time I went) to explore everything!

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  13. I have never been to London; my son is working for a year in Manchester and so of course, he went for a weekend. Wrote me that I would love all the wonderful shops :) Love the scarf below - it will be beautiful even with the off-shade.

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  14. I've put the V&A in my Favs.
    Thanks for the link.
    hugs
    Gerry

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