Stasia's Place Of Grace

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

 

More On Russian Socks And Cottontots And Color

Please see previous entry for more info.

Melinda S. asked for a photo of the tops of the mystery socks, and here is one for her:

Thank you all for your help and opinions!

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Kary asked where I got the seeds for my cottontots. They came inside a cotton boll that was from Cotton Clouds. I believe it was in a "learn to spin cotton" sampler kit, but I'd bet they'd be willing to sell you a boll or two. You might also contact New World Textiles which is a wonderful company selling organic cotton.

I separated my seeds from the cotton fiber and stuck them in little peat pots, inside a plastic greenhouse which included an electric heating pad in the base. (It wasn't expensive and came from the hardware store.) I had read that keeping seedlings warm is very important, and, truly, it made a difference in all of the sprouts for my herbs this year.

I kept a flourescent light above the seedlings and left it on for 14 hours a day, which I'd read would also help them grow.

When the seedlings were big enough, I transferred them to pots. When it got warm enough outside, I put the pots on my deck, and my honeybees fertilized the cotton flowers as they bloomed, turning from cream, to white, to pink as they faded.

Then I brought the plants in before the first frost. They are quite large, and I think I'm going to have to re-pot them into a giant container.

There are two more semi-developed bolls, but I don't think they're going to actually pop.

It took soooo long for the bolls to develop, but now that this one has popped, it's opening and drying really fast - look at the difference after just one day! It still looks like some kind of Martian plant, doesn't it?

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I picked up these three balls of soft, soft, soft Rowan Wool Cotton at Ruhama's yesterday. I think I'll just put them in a bowl and look at them - I have no project in mind, but just liked the colors.

Pastels in winter make me think of the Swedish artist, Carl Larsson, whose work I really enjoy. Some of his paintings feature knitting needles and balls of yarn, or his wife's beautiful weavings. The modern illustrator Jan Brett's artwork is similar, but brighter. Her work features lots of detailed images of mittens, socks, and sweaters of Scandinavian inspiration.

There was no secret as to what had inspired me with this color choice and the "yarn as display art" idea - it was an old clipping I'd pasted into my "inspiration notebook":

Maybe I should send the balls to Clara Parkes to be photographed for some note cards - her work is always so beautiful!

By the way, that's Miss Kary with her dogs, wearing her Dance As Ever Auction Peace Jacket, in the photo on my desk. Hi, Kary!

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As always, thank you for visiting, and I'd love to hear any comments you have.

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