New Feature: Random Item

So, while I quietly work in the background, as it were, on several projects that really don't have much share-able, I decided on a new "feature" here on the Study.  The Random Item post.  The idea for these posts is that I will find a piece in one of the many on line collections and talk a little about it.  It may be something I've seen in person, it may not.

For this first installment, I chose this Band from the V&A: It is a red silk band embroidered with silk and gold thread, animals in roundels alternating with lozenges intertwined with floral motifs. Dated by the museum as 1150-1200 and currently believed to be English.  It is V&A Accession No. 8237-1863.

Ok, so more-or-less random.  Basically, I put "Embroidery 1200" in the search box and this was one of the hits.  Since it actually dates to the time and country of my SCA persona, I determined it is a good candidate for Random Item.

This band is one of those delightful mystery items which are sometimes all we have.  The item information describes that it is cut on all four sides, making the original form and use uncertain. It is made up of several roundels with animals and lozenges with flowers. The animals are described as a dog or cat, a lion or leopard, two bears back to back....

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

And this delightful bird, possibly a peacock.
The stitching is described as underside couching of gold work, with split and stem stitch design details in colorful silk threads.

The vendor said that the band came from Halberstadt Cathedral, however later study, and based on the technique and design, they now believe it to be English.

The use of this lovely band is not now known, though the V&A notes that "pieces like this were typically used as decoration for vestments."

I am particularly struck by the animals and flowers on this piece. This band may well have been on vestments, but it looks like it would be equally happy as the border of a hanging, or even the hem of a special garment. (Unfortunately, the information does not have the size, I'll have to see if I can find out more).

The colors are reported to be somewhat faded, and much of the stitching is worn, but this fantastic photo of the back gives some idea of the wonder of this piece.

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Having browsed on the V&A Search the Collections, I'm loving this piece and am inspired by the fact that it is, quite possibly, from my persona's time and country.  There may well be a bird in circle, or flower and lozenge showing up in some of my work down the line.

Thursday/Friday

Today was like Friday because my office is closed tomorrow.  Also, it's been a weird week.  That said, here's my honesty:

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):

• Applique piece for C&L -- I have jettisoned the original plan and will be looking for something new.  I finally admitted to myself (*before cutting fabric and starting, that's a plus*) that I was shoehorning one thing into another and it really wasn't a good fit.  I do have a couple other inspiration pieces to look at and some plans...
• Couched cord piece for C&L -- I have looked at a few design inspiration ideas for something to do on my husband's tunic for this element.
• Class this is (mostly) done, for now.  I do have some mailing out to do, and still need to write up the "finishing" section -- then I'll work on adjusting both write ups (the "fob" and the bag) for posting on a new page I'll be setting up -- "classes."
• Marshall Hanging -- No, nothing new.    
• Hem stitched square -- This is officially my current "work on at events" project.  At the same event last weekend I learned some more open work, and am now deciding whether to make this square an overall open work piece or do that on something different. I learned some pulled (diverted thread) work at the Embroidery Schola in February, and this piece has a nice big central area just asking for some decoration.
• That silk tunic I did for my husband -- still need to pull that out and get the seam finishing done, and maybe plan some more embroidery for it. 

• Other garb waiting in the wings... Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts.  

Current project list/status (Modern)

• Bay of Fundy Scarf.  A few more rows have been knit on this.  I'm enjoying it again, but will be glad when it's done.  I can tell because I've been looking at patterns and even bought some yarn and a pattern for probably my next project. 
• Clothing for work.  This may have to be moved up a bit, as one of my favorite skirts just gave its last.  Now I really need to find pink fabric I like because I cannot imagine not having something in that dark rich pink in my wardrobe.  Of course, I *could* get around to doing the hem on the black and white, that would help.  
• Studio project. A number of things have migrated back to the studio (where, admittedly, they belong), and a few things in the studio need to come out.  I need to determine a day each month for specifically concentrating on getting everything back to where it belongs, which should help keep this room organized. This did not happen in January, or February, or even yet in March..... Maybe some of that studio time on Sunday can be devoted to this.

Future project plans: (look, a new section) AKA "In the queue"

• Additional C&L work to do includes an underside couched piece (having been reminded of a thing I knew of one that is not metal thread).
• Knitting plans include the newly purchased pattern and yarn for a pretty wild cowl and fingerless gloves with more of the alpaca that I'm using on the Bay of Fundy scarf

Blog notes:

• Still working on a three day a week pattern -- Monday for SCA/Medieval/Renaissance related; Tuesday for post 1600 to modern related and Thursdays for status updates.
• I'm also considering a couple other pages -- one for links to museums and other excellent web resources, and one for a bibliography (with appropriate links).  Any requests? 

So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  

Ravelry

I've mentioned Ravelry a couple of times in my posts, but I don't think I've ever talked about it.  It's a lovely resource, primarily aimed at knitters and crocheters, though spinners, weavers, and embroiderers are also common on its pages.  It's part resource, part social media.

You do have to have a log in (it's free), but after that you can use it as much or as little as you wish.

Go to the patterns tab to "shop" for patterns.  You can browse casually, or use the "Pattern browser & advanced search"  You can narrow down your search by a number of categories and sub categories.  Keep selecting items to narrow by, then sort the results (I like to sort by newest first).  My most recent search was for free knitting patterns for fingerless gloves, in English, using 150 to 300 yards of fingering yarn.

Using this search, I found several candidates for some of the rest of the yellow alpaca that is going into my current project.  You can even ask it to search your library -- another feature of the site.

On the library, you can list all the books, magazines and individual patterns that you have.  Later, when you put in a search, you just might find that you already have a pattern that catches your eye.

Another feature is the stash.  When you buy yarn, you can list it in your stash -- and then later you can search for patterns that might be good for items in your stash (unless you buy yarn knowing already exactly what you're going to do with it....)

A big feature is "Projects" where you can record details of your ongoing projects -- for instance, here is the page for my current knitting project.  I've recorded the pattern, the yarn I'm using, my progress and notes.  When it's done, I'll maybe remember to go in and put in a picture.

There are also a large number of groups on the website -- the "social" part.  I'll admit, I don't spend much time in there, other than occasionally to go in and see if anyone has posted the answer to a question I've had come up while I work.  Just about any aspect of life experienced by people who work with fiber has a group.

This is just a little bit about this website.  (BTW, my only association with Ravelry is that I'm on it).  If you haven't, go check it out.  And if you're there .. well, I'm KandyElizabet.  Drop by and say "hi."