Bernat History & Vintage Yarns

[dogfoster]

linda2012,
I really think there is something wonderful about what you said of making beautiful things out of nothing. Now it seems we are obsessing about having the same dye lots. Think it takes it to a whole different level out of using what you already have and like for whatever reason, ie texture or certain color, and creating some special with it.

[Shandeh]

...I don't know what it is about vintage yarn, but it always steals my heart. I think there must be some fiber enthusiasts in my ancestry.

It's the connection with all those women before us who took pieces of thread and crafted something beautiful....or utilitarian....something that enriched their lives and the lives of their loved ones....out of virtually nothing! There is a school of thought that says having something beautiful around one is as important to the soul as food is to the body.

And that got a bit deep and philosophical! Vintage yarn makes me think of my grandmother....who did create beautiful things from practically nothing.

I love it! Knitting, Crochet, Spinning, Weaving, Tatting, etc....all of it has such a rich history. The threads of the past have been connected to the threads of today. And all of it is precious.

[Shandeh]

linda2012, I really think there is something wonderful about what you said of making beautiful things out of nothing. Now it seems we are obsessing about having the same dye lots. Think it takes it to a whole different level out of using what you already have and like for whatever reason, ie texture or certain color, and creating some special with it.

My yarn stash is very special to me. I will find a way to use any yarn I come across. Sometimes, I only have a few yards of a particular yarn, but I can't just toss it....I have to find a way to use it. For seaming, or for one row of an oddball blanket. Must be my Irish heritage.

I have a bit of information about my grandmother's family. My grandfather (5 greats) and his wife came to Charleston, South Carolina from Ballymoney, Ireland in 1772. They travelled on the "James & Mary" ship for 7 weeks, then spent another 7 weeks quarantined in the Charleston harbor because of smallpox aboard the ship. They brought 3 children with them - I descended from the babe in their arms. I wonder if my grandmother was working with yarn on that ship?

[lialab]

...I don't know what it is about vintage yarn, but it always steals my heart. I think there must be some fiber enthusiasts in my ancestry.

I love it! Knitting, Crochet, Spinning, Weaving, Tatting, etc....all of it has such a rich history. The threads of the past have been connected to the threads of today. And all of it is precious.

Yes , it is precious, except that some knowhow tend to disapear. I remember my grandmother talking about tatting but I don't know anybody who knows how to do it. I bought a book, tried to teach myself with no success. As for spinning I have never heard of it

[Shandeh]

I love it! Knitting, Crochet, Spinning, Weaving, Tatting, etc....all of it has such a rich history. The threads of the past have been connected to the threads of today. And all of it is precious.

Yes , it is precious, except that some knowhow tend to disapear. I remember my grandmother talking about tatting but I don't know anybody who knows how to do it. I bought a book, tried to teach myself with no success. As for spinning I have never heard of it

Spinning is how yarn is made. It's mostly done by factories now, but there are still people who spin yarn by hand. I've tried learning, but have only made a few small skeins. It's a LOT of work. Here's my spinning wheel.

Spinning Blue Merino by Shandeh, on Flickr

[linda2012]

...I wonder if my grandmother was working with yarn on that ship?

And you KNOW she did! When she wasn't trying to keep up with 3 children and their needs aboard a crowded ship! My hat is off to those brave families who made that journey. Was anyone in the family lost to smallpox on tht trip?

You have a beautiful spinning wheel. I would love to learn to spin! Occasionally I have seen demonstrations at some of the Renaissance Faires and festivals that crop up, and I am fascinated at the concept of again, creating lovely yarn out of a pile of wool....basically something from nothing. I wonder if your grandmother(Great X 5) brought her spinning wheel with her. Along with her sewing and knitting needles, it was one of a woman's most prized possessions, and one of the first things chosen when selecting household goods to take on such a journey. They were very expensive and not easily replaced if left behind or lost!

Just a side note, one of my roommates when I was in college was an art major with an emphasis in textiles, and for one of her advanced classes, the semester project was to take raw wool, spin and dye it, (using natural dyes) and either knit or crochet a piece of wearable art. Of course in the late 60's that type of garment was very popular. It was a fascinating process!

[Shandeh]

...I wonder if my grandmother was working with yarn on that ship?

And you KNOW she did! When she wasn't trying to keep up with 3 children and their needs aboard a crowded ship! My hat is off to those brave families who made that journey. Was anyone in the family lost to smallpox on tht trip?

Here's what I found on the internet about the James & Mary ship in 1772 for that voyage:
5 children died on the voyage. The ship was quarantined for another seven weeks. This was not so bad as it might be, according to Chesney, as there was a large house on Sullivan's Island as a hospital for the passengers and they were able to go "back and forwards between the Ship and hospital which made a change, and beguiled the time a little." (Chesney, Journal, 6)

Despite the sickness on board, the passengers sent back a letter thanking Captain Workman, which was published in the Belfast paper. (Belfast News Letter, December 22, 1772) Here it is:
"Charles-Town, October 22, 1772.
These will inform you that we arrived here all well and in good spirits the 18th Instant (five Children excepted who died on the Passage) after a pleasant and agreeable Passage of seven Weeks and one Day.
Revd. Robert McClintock, John Peddan, Joseph Lowry, Timothy McClintock, Nathan Brown, Samuel Kerr, James Peddan, Alex. Brown, John Brown, Thomas Madill, Wm. Simpson, John McClintock, John Dicky, James Hood, John Montgomery, John Snoddy, John Caldwell, Robt. Hadden, Wm. Boyd, Robert Machesney, Wm. Eashler, Samuel Miller, Charles Dunlop, Thos. Makee, James Stinson, William Anderson, John Thompson, Hugh Loggan, Peter Willey, David Thompson, Hugh Mansead, Robt. Wilson, Robt. Ross, John Parker, James Young, Robt. Neile."

You have a beautiful spinning wheel. I would love to learn to spin! Occasionally I have seen demonstrations at some of the Renaissance Faires and festivals that crop up, and I am fascinated at the concept of again, creating lovely yarn out of a pile of wool....basically something from nothing. I wonder if your grandmother(Great X 5) brought her spinning wheel with her. Along with her sewing and knitting needles, it was one of a woman's most prized possessions, and one of the first things chosen when selecting household goods to take on such a journey. They were very expensive and not easily replaced if left behind or lost!

Oh, I wish I could have some of the crafting tools she brought over from Ireland. That would be such a treasure! I got my wheel at a consignment store in my area, after waiting for the price to come down. I would go into the store every week, just to make sure it was still in one piece. I kept asking if they could go ahead and bring down the price, but they said, "We have to wait 2 months". So, I unpatiently waited. Then when it was EXACTLY two months from the original time it was brought in, I went there, and was ECSTATIC to find that it was still there. I paid just over $100 for the wheel, and was walking out the door with it. The lady at the counter said, "Oh WAIT! This box of stuff goes with it!" I was amazed to find carding tools and all kinds of fiber in that box, along with some spinning booklets and other things. What a lucky day for me!

Just a side note, one of my roommates when I was in college was an art major with an emphasis in textiles, and for one of her advanced classes, the semester project was to take raw wool, spin and dye it, (using natural dyes) and either knit or crochet a piece of wearable art. Of course in the late 60's that type of garment was very popular. It was a fascinating process!

It IS fascinating! I enjoy going to fiber fairs to see fiber artists in action. There is still a very active, vibrant community of fiber workers and artists today. I enjoy "playing" with it occasionally, and trying all the different crafts and hobbies involved with fiber. But, it's also very relaxing to grab one of my lovely skeins of Bernat yarn, and just start knitting or crocheting. BOTH sides of the craft are a joy to me.

[ladycath]

...I wonder if my grandmother was working with yarn on that ship?

And you KNOW she did! When she wasn't trying to keep up with 3 children and their needs aboard a crowded ship! My hat is off to those brave families who made that journey. Was anyone in the family lost to smallpox on tht trip?

I love hearing about the history of families, one of the reason I got into genealogy. ALso one of the reason for my love of crochet. One great-great grandmother, three of my great grandmothers, both my grandmothers, all my maternal great aunts and my second cousin/god-mother crocheted. I think I absorbed it through the air growing up.

[Shandeh]

I love hearing about the history of families, one of the reason I got into genealogy. ALso one of the reason for my love of crochet. One great-great grandmother, three of my great grandmothers, both my grandmothers, all my maternal great aunts and my second cousin/god-mother crocheted. I think I absorbed it through the air growing up.

Genealogy is a LOT of fun! Once you figure out all the abbreviations on the websites, it starts to read like a novel. After doing my research, I realized that I am qualified to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). I found three ancestors who served in that war. Still have a lot of work to actually join the DAR though. So many documents to prepare!

[ladycath]

Genealogy is a LOT of fun! Once you figure out all the abbreviations on the websites, it starts to read like a novel. After doing my research, I realized that I am qualified to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). I found three ancestors who served in that war. Still have a lot of work to actually join the DAR though. So many documents to prepare!

I really love doing it. I always want to know the whys. Why did they move on, why did they leave Scotland and Ireland, why did my Quaker ancestors move west until they hit Kansas. I don't mind hearing the bad stuff that some try to hide from, I want to know it all. I also discovered recently that I could qualify as a DAR three times over but I won't bother, to much trouble and paperwork. Around here they worry more about getting into the Daughters of the Confederacy(I qualify there too). They are little to 'society' for me. I think being an Air Force brat is the reason I got so interested in genealogy...trying to find the roots I never had as a child.