Visiting Khan El-Khalili

Not far from home,

about half an hour drive,

we can walk the narrow streets 

of Khan El-Khalili.

 It is still the morning hours,

the water is from scrubbing the streets.

It is a very old part of Cairo,

it dates back to year 1382,

a colorful bazaar district,

with hundreds of little stores.

The owners

very willing to show us

their merchandise.

Many are still doing 

various traditional craft. 

There is a lot that catch ones eyes,

or for the above picture,

also the nose...

Dried spices in colorful bags.

 

These days there are not a lot of visitors,

so the shop owners

are working hard for the money.

We come here, again and again.

This area has a very special feel,

and we tend to discover something new every time.

Thanks for tagging along!

The Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre

The Art Center is located in Harraina,

about 10 miles from down town Cairo

and well worth visiting.

  

It is built and developed about 50 years ago

by architect Ramses Wissa Wassef ,

with workshops, museum and living quarters,

surrounded by beautiful gardens.

The museum part had tapestries and sculptures

made during these years.

Wissa Wassef

 had a special vision and philosophy

for how children could develop their artistic sense,

by following three rules.

"No preliminary sketches or cartoons,

no external aesthetic influences,

and no critical interference from adults",

could ensure that

"every child's inspiration

sprang entirely from within,

and fueled by contact

with her or his own environment

rather than through an adult's sensibilities..."

Close-up from the full picture above

Children from the nearby village

was "invited to come

and learn the technique of tapestry

and provide them with what they needed

to translate their imagination and feelings

into woven images."

 Wool on cotton warp

Here is no pattern.

Except for a general idea, they create as they weave.

We got to see weavers at work.

They come when they have time,

between joggling family and cooking.

Some bring their children or toddlers

This one was asleep on his mothers lap, as we walked in

Cotton thread on cotton warp

Very fine and intricate

As they enter the gates of the Art Center,

they leave all stress of daily life behind,

and let their creativity flow free.

 We where told that

the men spend more time weaving,

than the women,

since they have less responsibilities at home. 

In the surrounding gardens,

they grow plant used for coloring the yarn.

The coloring process takes part every fall and spring

(I would love to visit at that time).

Sophie Wissa Wassef,

wife of Ramses, and a watercolour artist,

 introduced batik painting.

Coloring and drying, happens outside.

"Unlike the weaver, 

the batik artist must know exactly where he is going 

before he starts.."

The results are fabulous and rich in color.

Thanks for visiting,

and have a great day!

Links:
http://ramses-wissa-wassef-tapestries.myshopify.com/
http://www.wissawassef.com/

(info in parentheses is taken from the book 

EGYPTIAN LANDSCAPES,

sold at the Art center)

Astri mi Astri

 As summer changes into fall,

and we are on the first step

of winter many places,

I realize it has been a while

since I have followed up 

with blogging.

Not that I am so busy,

I just get hooked

with different stuff.

Following our summer vacation,

we moved from one apartment

to another.

It happened unplanned

and a bit fast,

but it seams like most

loose ends are coming together now.

It's half mitten time,

- again...

  

I think I get in to a steam

where it sometimes can be hard

to change direction.

First mittens,

then shawl,

back to mittens.

They remind me of snowy days,

- that I miss...

Thank you so much to

test knitters,

 and proof readers!

 You have all done a great job!!

These above are worked by

Liv M. Fostervold.

The pictures are amazing!

Thank you for letting me use them!

This pattern is done,

posted and ready to go.

Have a nice day!

A hand to hold

is the name 

of this new half mitten pattern.

The yarn is

Cascade 220 Fingering

and the color options are endless.

I was ready for something 

mild and feminine,

and think I achieved 

what I was looking for.

Someone might recognize

parts of the pattern,

as it is the same as 

the Rogaland Halfmittens.

Palm pattern,

thumb pattern,

and the yarn is different,

plus a few other little things.

Have a great rest of the day!

Kaffe Latte Shawl

It is the name given to my last shawl.

I found the yarn first,

the pattern came after.

The color of this yarn

reminded me of my favorite drink,

Latte from Starbucks.

Something about colors

make my brain spin,

and sometimes, 

something usable gets created.

Other times the inspiration expire

and the yarn gets stuffed in a draw

until the next moment 

of creative vibes 

comes along.

This shawl is truly one of my favorites.

It is pretty large,

or maybe I should say wide.

So wrapping it around you is no problem.

Even though I live in a hot climate,

my shoulders gets cold

in an air-conditioned room.

If you want to make it,

the pattern is to be found in my Etsy store

and at Ravelry.

It is written in both English and Norwegian

and you receive both versions when you download.

Enjoy, and have a nice day!