Women Crafter on Youtube – Knitter – Engineering Knits

My mother used to knit and we still have two straight knitting machines of a solid metal build. I did learn how to knit as a child but I already forgot it all and it is unlikely that I will ever need it. My mother-made sweaters have served me well for years by now and I expect them to continue to serve well for enough years to not need a replacement.

She has also knitted several pairs of thick socks that come in handy on winter travels when I need to sleep in some poorly heated room. Or when the winter is so cold that despite heating, sitting at the PC gives me cold feet. But we do not have a circular knitting machine, all the socks she has made had to be made by hand. Thus I have enjoyed watching a circular knitting machine in action because that was the first time I saw it.

Pity the machine seems to be made of cheap 3D printed plastic. It won’t have the durability that my mother’s knitting machines have – those are still fully functional after decades of intensive use.

If you are interested in knitting and its history, Engineering Knits has a lot of videos on that topic.

The Art of …

… illlustration, by Swedish artist Carl Larsson

Larssen is well known for his idyllic portrayals of family life, and this inviting watercolour is typical of his style. The day is steeped in bright yellow sunshine, and the warm colour palette is both charming and welcoming. The family is relaxed and at ease, including the dog, who is calmly focused on some tidbit on the table. The youngest child has turned to face the viewer, and her expression is open and seems to be saying, “Hello. What are you doing all the way over there? Won’t you come and join us.” Why there’s even an empty chair inviting the viewer to sit down.

 

Breakfast under the Big Birtch, 1895, Carl Larsson. Image from Wikiart.

The Art of …

First, I’d like to thank all of you who left comments for me about the direction of this column. For now, I’ve decided to continue jumping around and letting it be a daily surprise. I don’t have a classical education and often feel inhibited about commenting on the art that I choose, but I’m going to try and be more open about what appeals to me. To that end, I’d like to thank Tethys and Flex for the information about Kay Neilsen from yesterday’s post. Neilsen is one of my favourite artists of the Art Nouveau period. I find his work sensual and suggestive. I will also be following up with artist Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, whose work was a delight to discover. Thanks, Tethys.

Today we’ll take a peek at the art of … sacrilege, by respected Dutch-Swedish painter Martin Van Meytens the Younger, This is a rare double-sided painting, the front depicting a pious nun at prayer and the backside showing her naked bum to the monk who stands behind her. It’s a fun and naughty painting from a time when the catholic religion was a powerful force that declared sexuality as only for procreation through the bonds of marriage.

The Nun’s backside, 1731, Martin Van Meytens The Younger. Image from The Museum of Ridiculously Interesting Things

The Nun’s backside, 1731, Martin Van Meytens The Younger. Image from The Museum of Ridiculously Interesting Things

The Art of …

… the human form, by Roberto Ferri

Ferri is a modern-day Italian artist, who notes on his website that his work is,

Inspired by artists of the baroque in particular Caravaggio, and other ancient masters of Romanticism, Academicism and Symbolism of such as David, Ingres, Girodet, Gericault, Gleyre, Bouguereau, Moreau, Redon, Rops, and others. 

His works are already present in the world’s most important public and private collections

If you’re curious and would like to see more of Ferri’s work, the artist has a Website and Instagram account.

Untitled, Roberto Ferri. Image from Surrealistisch Blogspot.