Hi, Jan,
If the rest of the Bohus exhibit lives up to the first night, it will be a tremendous event. What fun to feel a smidgen a part of the inner circle - because I volunteered to help the MN Knitters’ Guild effort to promote the event, I got invited to the VIP reception. We got champagne, and the general public just got wine.
But the real fun was meeting people - I saw a woman in a Wild Apple pullover and knew it had to be suebell from Ravelry. woolyjooly came up and said “twinsetellen! you finished your Forsest Darkness!” Dyebat was excited to introduce herself, but not half as excited as I was to meet her, one of the knitting pantheon. The museum staff was astounded at the way we were all identifying ourselves by our Ravatars. The muggle, no matter how well intentioned, often just don’t get us.
And getting to shake the hands of Kirsten Olson, one of the original designers, and Solveig Gustafson, who so carefully reproduces the yarns and patterns so we can knit these gorgeous creations ourselves. And Susanna Hansson is always a delight.
I won’t deny that is was such pure pleasure to be there wearing my Forest Darkness and getting petted by all sorts of people. It was a wonderful way to break the ice and I chatted with older Swedish women about their trips to museums in Sweden and Swedish folk costumes and what was a reproduction, what was an original, and what was an authentic reproduction. The museum asked the 5 of us who showed up in our Bohus sweaters to pose for a picture on the staircase. I expected many more Bohus sweaters, but perhaps we’ll see more tomorrow. Besides Bohus, there were tons of gorgeous sweaters and hats.
A highlight of the evening was hearing Solveig speak about her journey through Bohus knitting. She was so fun and candid. Her background is marketing and economics, but she broke free after a long career with Volvo and indulged her creative side. But her pragmatic background was evident - when asked how long it took her to knit a sample, she admitted that if necessary, she could knit a yoke in two days. But what about the body of the sweater? Blush and grin - “my husband does that on a machine”. And asked if she felt a spiritual connection through the intensity of her work in recreating a pattern - a simple “no” with a giggle.
Bad news, though - no cameras allowed. I’ll see if I can’t trap someone outside of the museum so you can see these charming people, but for now, you will have to picture it in your head.
I’ll fill you in on some of the sweaters in the exhibit tomorrow. For tonight I was still swooning, so a better description will have to come later.
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I am so glad you finished your sweater in time to wear it! I hope you get a copy of the picture of the 5 of you on the stairs. We are experiencing far lower temperatures than in recent days in honor of the exhibition. (Okay, only in the teens, but for us that’s cold!)
I know the exhibit runs a while…enjoy!
January 24th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Sounds like fun! I find it funny that you recognized one another by your sweaters, rather than faces. Guess that’s always what a knitter is looking at, huh? I’m glad you managed to finish in time; it must have been fun to be in a group that really appreciates your accomplishment.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:30 am
I know how you were looking forward to this event! Hope the remaining days are as fun. How nice it must be to meet your knitting contacts in person! I love their online names, especially woolyjooly
January 24th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Thanks for the inside scoop! It’s delightful to hear your joy.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:11 am
What a fabulous and fantastic time you’re having!!! WoW! I’m hoping you get some photos, really looking forward to seeing some of these folks. and their sweaters!
Jan, thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment, I don’t have your email addy to respond to. Make the clogs, you’ll love them.
January 24th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Hi Ellen - I saw a person named Jenn taking shots for ASI and boldly asked if the Guild could get access to some of her photos. She said ’sure’, but Shelley M. needs to contact her. Jenn is marketing & PR for the Institute.
I noticed someone with a phone-camera and should have told her to stop . . this was after Solveig’s presentation.
Yes, quite a night! So good to see you in your beautiful Forest Darkness.
Julie
January 24th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Wow. Just wow. Thanks so much for letting us live vicariously
(And how fun that your Bohus was done and ready in time for the exhibit; are you wearing it every day you’re there? I know I would be…)
January 25th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I snuck a few pics following the presentation. I put them on my site. I am glad I got to see your beautiful Forest Darkness in person there!
January 26th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
[…] exhibit finally arrived! I didn’t go to the opening reception/presentation (read about it here, and here), the Knit Out on Saturday (Twin Set Ellen has a post about it), and Mary Jo Burke of […]
April 21st, 2009 at 5:36 am
[…] Free Canuckistan! created an interesting post today on First nightHere’s a short outline…a wonderful way to break the ice and I chatted with older Swedish women about their trips to museums in Sweden and Swedish folk costumes and… […]