the blue blog archives: games and knitting

Miss Lou gave me some Cotton to knit Eddie a pr of socks. I began them, but did not get much done, most of the time playing Bagammon, Chess, or having some Music.... I bet I would finish my sock, she bet I would not, so she put the Gas out. I lit it again and finished my sock.

The Civil War sampler continues. I'm well into Rosemary Youngs' book, The Civil War Diary Quilt: 121 Stories and The Quilt Blocks They Inspired, and am hooked! The diary entries of several of the younger women tell of an often quiet home life filled with knitting, reading, games, music and other parlor activities and are accompanied by beautiful quilt block patterns.

Mother can't conquer the mystery of 'turning the heel' - there it is again - 'Emma, how many times did you say I must knit plain?'

On the next page, these everyday domestic scenes will be suddenly interrupted by the story of a neighbor's son killed by the enemy or bombardments in the town. The shocking contrast and jarring realities of war are reflected in the bold blocks Youngs has paired with these stories.

Here at home, I am lucky to be able to sew and knit with no such interruptions. Well, maybe a few minor civil wars between the boys. And of course, a lot of games.

today: playing mini-chess games from the most excellent book, Chess for Children

posted by alison at 10:31 am | in civil war sampler

Comments

I love the way you combine you love of crafts with the stories in the book. You are making the stories come alive. I don't quilt, but you could almost convince me with those pretty, pretty blocks. g

Posted by: Gaylen at July 25, 2008 10:42 AM

Gorgeous!

Posted by: Kat with a K at July 25, 2008 11:09 AM

Hey! We got that chess book for my kiddo to teach him chess too! He really got into it...and now his little brother loves looking at it too.

Posted by: Joan at July 25, 2008 1:18 PM

I love how the flowers and hearts mimic each other in that first square!

Posted by: Andrea at July 25, 2008 2:01 PM

Those blocks are so gorgeous & I love the stories. Music, knitting, reading & playing games is my idea of a good time! I especially like the pinks & blues block. But I took a workshop on hand quilting at the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair last weekend & I'm afraid quilting just isn't my cup of tea (& I really, really wanted to like it) - except for maybe very plain rag quilts (I do really enjoy sewing). I also took a Natural Dyeing workshop & loved it. So I will be doing lots of that. I f anyone is interested in dyeing with natural materials & has the opportunity to take a class or shop with Stefania Isaacson (http://www.stefania-spins.com/) - don't miss it - she is fantastic. Very knowledgeable & inspiring. I am also trying to resist the urge to spin - I have never seen so many spinning wheels in one place before - it was kind of zen like.

Posted by: Donna at July 25, 2008 2:40 PM

what a neat book. hubby taught all of mine how to play. it's kinda fun - but they get very very competitive with it!

Posted by: rebecca at July 25, 2008 4:31 PM

I love the quilt squares. The fabrics do have a civil war feeling too them, but are all the more beautiful now. Can't wait to see the end results!

Posted by: keraven at July 27, 2008 4:45 PM

Loving them all but the brown and red really are pretty!

Posted by: Carolyn at July 28, 2008 3:55 PM