Given the photographs I posted yesterday, it was a coincidence to find this one in a book I picked up this morning. We were at the "Cutting Edge" exhibition in the National Museum of Scotland, looking at the work of contemporary artist/craftsmen, and I bought a book on the origins of traditional Scottish crafts and their continuation today.
The chapter on the chairs of the northern isles includes a picture of the hooded version I'd love to have:
The book covers (among other things) boat-building, bagpipe making, dyeing, tartan and Harris Tweed weaving, and Shetland and Fair Isle knitting, and the beautiful photographs illustrate clearly just how much skill and experience is involved - these are masters at work.
This is a dyer's recipe and record sample book,
making Harris Tweed,
a beret knitted on Fair Isle c.1860. They wool used is natural brown and white, yellow dyed with lichen, and red and blue from imported madder and indigo.
Before I get back to my chair by the range, here is the Edinburgh skyline from the roof terrace of the museum:
Wonderful chair, wonderful photos. It looks like the seat of the chair might open? Amazing that both yours and the one in the photo are next to the Aga.
Posted by: Nan | 28 January 2007 at 06:20 PM
I adore Fair Isle knitting and that wool sample book looks so lovely.I had a little business years ago knitting children's fair isle jumpers on a knitting machine (Woolly Pullies!)and did a lot of research on the patterns especially The Robe of Glory made for all the boys when they came of age.Gorgeous colours.
Posted by: dovegreyreader | 28 January 2007 at 07:21 PM
You could have another chair and then invite a friend to sit with you in front of the Aga and drink tea and knit! I'll come and visit! I like the colours and patterns of the fair isle tam!
Thanks for the skyline photo. Our buildings and skylines are so 'young' here compared to your country. I love both!
Posted by: Peg | 28 January 2007 at 10:12 PM
Edinburgh's one of my very favorite cities on earth. I've visited there a few times, and when I was a teenager I was a student ambassador and stayed with a family in Grangemouth. Ever since then we've kept in touch, through all the sorrows and joys of life, and Scotland maintains a special place in my heart. How fortunate you are to live there!
Posted by: Bluestalking Reader | 30 January 2007 at 04:02 PM
Such a spectacular view of the skyline here, all with these rolling clouds drifting above the historic city of Edinburgh. Nothing really beats admiring the cityscape from the rooftop. Of course, the roof should be as high as it can be. So, were you able to find the chair sooner or later?
Posted by: Max Boughner | 31 May 2011 at 02:59 PM