Sunday, August 9, 2009


The Spider

Is it because of Charlotte that I think she is female? Or is it because she weaves her web with such a delicate hand? Unseen in the sunlight, she appears like a fancy out there in the darkness, sitting alone in the center of her labyrinth every evening; an artist enthroned on her canvas of gossamer. Reaching from Oak tree to Annabelle, this intricate Rorschach of silk, woven in patterns more complex than a snowflake, seems quite impossible. How on earth does she do it? Night after night? I am humbled completely - I who was so chuffed at my newly acquired ability to knit from patterns that were hieroglyphic only months ago. From her diaphanous nighttime villa, has she studied me at the window, as I sat perched on my tuffet of hubris with knitting needles in hand? Has she perhaps stifled a lilting giggle at my myriad of deficiencies and the flimsy curiosities they produce? Or does she simply pity me kindly, secure in her knowledge that, try as I might, I can never hope to attain her eminent stratum of artistry with such meager human tools at my disposal.
Two hands? Only two?
She possesses eight, after all.


My favourite model wears a newly completed cabled scarf, one the spider watched me knit.
Wonderful yarn... Araucania Azapa in Lilac.

35 comments:

  1. Ahh what a beautiful post and your scarf is amazing! What great work. I'm in awe.

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  2. He's stylish, and knows it. Woof.

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  3. Edward wears your newly completed cabled scarf handsomely ! :)

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  4. Edward looks mighty handsome! love the scarf - very talented!!

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  5. Look out Naomi Campbell - here comes Edward!

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  6. A beautiful scarf Pamela- love that soft blue. Each time I read about your knitting projects-I think more about lessons at a nearby shop for the fall.

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  7. Hello P&E,

    What fancies you weave! But the little creature in the web seems infinitely more attractive than your spider, to me!

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  8. What great company to work with Pamela? Enjoy your weekend, xv.

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  9. Love the scarf (and it looks as though Edward does, too). You write so beautifully - your tuffet of hubris conjures up such a magical picture.

    Utterly delightful.

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  10. Oh ,what a beautiful scarf..lovely..and what a sweet picture you painted...the little spider watching you..you should write fairytales..
    Happy weekend..

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  11. Such a pretty scarf. Love the color and the chunky texture.
    You knit beautifully with only two hands!
    Happy weekend, Pamela.

    xo
    Brooke

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  12. wonderful and fanciful post as always, but even more fabulous is the scarf! - truly yummy!

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  13. Your knitting is reaching great heights! Edward looks most appreciative of it.

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  14. A very fetching Edward if I may say so.
    Yes - I do agree about spiders - and their webs on the holly bush on a frosty morning defy description.

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  15. I have the teeniest tiniest spider who's built her tiny web here at the teak topped desk between the spine of two books. I swear her body is less than .5 millimeters and I check on her frequently through out my day and am very careful not to disturb her. I love spiders.

    My what a handsome model you have there and the scarf is very lovely.

    And finally a word on puppies - I have decided that my life is just to unsettled at the moment and I know a puppy (along with Miss D and the three boys (les Chats) would tie me here ... and I'm not sure that that's what I want. They sure are sweet aren't they. And I know, without a doubt, that I will one day soon have my little red puppy.

    Love to you, E & A from me & Miss Dixon.

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  16. When our youngest son played Sunday football I remember one autumn morning when the entire football field was covered with a gossamer of shining spiders webs about one foot above the ground like a huge net of sparkling diamonds.

    I do think that the spider has the advantage when it comes to knitting but for a mere mortal your handiwork looks very impressive.

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  17. To knit like a spider - Now wouldn't that be a compliment! Great work on the scarf. I so want to start knitting again. Edward is a fabulous model.
    Catherine

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  18. Pamela-

    A handsome fellow, indeed! Ruff!

    And the blue spider is rather wonderful.

    Cheers from California: www.thestylesaloniste.com

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  19. My thoughts about spider webs exactly. I battle to knit plain stitch and have no idea how to end off. Your beautiful scarf puts me to shame.
    Edward looks very distinguished doesn't he?

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  20. Edward looks delighted with his beautiful scarf....I love spiders too (unless they leap out of nowhere to surprise me!). Their skills are amazing, there are so many spiders webs around here at the moment...

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  21. Loved the pup. I came in from A thousand clapping hands, intrigued.

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  22. I bet that spider thought you were very clever making it with only two hands!!! Edward is so lovely..my boy would never sit like that for a photo!! xx

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  23. Hia Pamela I'm catching up again. Yes spiders are so industrious. One made a web by my car window. I felt awful opening the door and breaking it.

    Ooo lovely scarf and a gorgeous model.

    To me Suchet is the best Poirot yet. I think Agatha Christie was delighted when she saw Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. The old black and white film one, I found her a little too schoolgirl enthusiatic. I haven't seen Julia McKensie. Ooo I'll look forward to that.

    Autumn and Agatha with a roaring fire and hot drink. Perfect!

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  24. Beautiful blue scarf! I burst out laughing at that image (sorry, Edward).

    I feel the same as what you wrote seeing the dewy webs out in the meadow shining in the morning sun.

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  25. Pamela! I'm in shock! How have I missed so many of your posts?? You must not be showing up in my reader! Anyhoo, I'm caught up and amazed! I think it's a she too! Just looks so delicate to me!
    OUR Edward is a hottie! Yes he is!
    xoxo

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  26. I bet he has a debonair swag now! And Apple, what a sparkle and name.

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  27. Edward would have to be one of the happiest dogs I've come across, he positively beams! I think all creatures around the House of Edward would have a happy life, including spiders.

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  28. I'm just off to the nest with Case Histories - half way through and thoroughly enjoying it. xo S & Missy D (and those cats)

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  29. This is the loveliest tribute to a spider I've ever seen!

    It's been a while since I've visited, but I always love the art you post on your blog.

    Also, wanted to say Edward looks very stylish in that knitted cap (or is it a scarf wound around his head?) in your sidebar!

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  30. I must say you did beautifuly with your two hands! Edward thinks so too!

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  31. Edward looks fabulous! Thanks for reminding us that spiders aren't so bad!

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  32. I'm afraid that the spider is one creature I am really terrified by, this doesn't prevent me from admiring the artistry of the beautiful webs that they weave however. I even watch them do it sometimes provided they are not too large and I am a safe distance away:) One of the most spectacular things I saw last winter was a spiders web covered in a thick hoar frost and sparkling in the sun.
    Your model is very handsome and the scarf he is modelling is beautiful.

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  33. Your favourite model does the work justice. Your web is worthy of Charlotte.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!