Back in November, I went to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford to see a few textiles in their collection that are not on display. Before my appointment, I toured the textile room (Gallery 5, Floor -1) where I was very excited to see two fabric scraps (below) with a unique type of embroidery that IContinue reading “Marashi Aseghnagortsutyun (Marash Embroidery) Part I: more evidence for Armenian and Egyptian connections?”
Author Archives: 106meters
Tarriwin, or Middle Atlas Leg Warmers, in Photos
Two posts ago (here), I wrote about how I learned of tarriwin; my experience trying to find tarriwin knitters; and my hypothesis for the knitting technique used in making them. Following that post (here), I wrote about tarriwin knitting and how it might help to untangle the history of knitting. Now, I’d like to shareContinue reading “Tarriwin, or Middle Atlas Leg Warmers, in Photos”
Why is Moroccan Intarsia-in-the-Round Knitting Important?
Moroccan Knitting and the History of Knitting The history of knitting has intrigued me since my early 20s when my mom gave me Nancy Bush’s book, Folk Socks: The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear, for my birthday. It was in the pages of Folk Socks that I first learned about knitting in northern Africa.Continue reading “Why is Moroccan Intarsia-in-the-Round Knitting Important?”
The Middle Atlas Skirt Pattern and Intarsia-in-the-Round
When I was doing research for my book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond, I came across a beautiful pair of leg warmers in the book Berber Costumes of Morocco by Frieda Sorber and Marie-Rose Rabaté. The complex tessellating pattern was intriguing and reminded me of the patterns decorating objectsContinue reading “The Middle Atlas Skirt Pattern and Intarsia-in-the-Round”
Updating Knitting History
The oldest evidence for knitting, thus far, comes from medieval Egypt. These intriguing pieces, which range from technically simple to very advanced leave knitters and researchers with much to consider: Who knit these objects? How did they use them? How did knitting spread? How do these early knitting traditions relate to knitting practices today? ByContinue reading “Updating Knitting History”
Sock-Knitting Techniques from Armenian Knitters: Grafting Without a Tapestry Needle
Armine Gasparyan, a knitter from Hadrut, taught me how to graft stitches together without a tapestry needle. She uses this technique to finish inserted sock heels. As with grafting with a tapestry needle, you will need to have an equal number of stitches on each needle in order to carry out the steps correctly. AfterContinue reading “Sock-Knitting Techniques from Armenian Knitters: Grafting Without a Tapestry Needle”
Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond
Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond documents the knitting tradition of shepherds in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. It is the culmination of three years of research, interviews, participant observation, and writing. Seven essays and thirteen patterns give the reader a glimpse of life in a High Atlas village and theContinue reading “Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond”
Washing Wool in the High Atlas
How do Cooperative Ibilou artisans create such fluffy, clean clouds of carded wool for spinning? It all starts with a walk to the river with a bundle of fresh High Atlas sheep wool. You can read more about the washing process and how the wool is spun in my article published in Ply Magazine’s SummerContinue reading “Washing Wool in the High Atlas”
Morocco’s Knitted Pants
Melting snow dripped from the eaves of the rammed-earth homes. My friend and I carefully picked our way through the slick mud of the narrow path that wound between the multi-storied buildings, trying our best to avoid the bone-chilling drops. Eventually, the path widened to a small square flanked on all sides by dwellings withContinue reading “Morocco’s Knitted Pants”
Men Who Knit: A High Atlas Knitting Tradition in Morocco
“I learned to knit from my father, and he learned to knit from his father who learned to knit from his father going all the way back before people can remember. As far as I know, people have always knit here.” Hussein holds his skinny, double-pointed needles in his hands as he recounts whatContinue reading “Men Who Knit: A High Atlas Knitting Tradition in Morocco”
106 Meters from the Road 