A QueerJoe Declaration
By his royal blog decree, the “shrug” will from here on in be known as the “schlub.”
Who Has Enough Panache?
When it comes to garments like a schlub, it takes a certain confident and attractive look to be able to carry it off. Natalie Portman could get away with wearing one…perhaps. But short of at least that stature and presence, I don’t think anyone should consider making themselves one of these abbreviated garments, thinking that they will be able to get away with a funky, trendy look.
Because often the garment and the person wearing it will end up with the same moniker on this blog.
On a lighter note, Liza sent the video link above to me, and I thought you must just see it. First the primary debates are taken over by YouTube, now knitting is?
Current Knitting
I’ve gotten about 3 more inches of work done on the Aran pullover.
If Nico hadn’t been so needy in the last day, I might have gotten a little more done. But it seemed every time I’d sit down to work on this garment, Nico wanted to play or get brushed/pet or get fed.
Readers’ Comments/Questions
Regarding my mention of the colors of flowers, “friend” Carol writes, “P.S. clearly it is your ignorance of the color wheel and color theory that has you punting on the discussion…;)”
“Friend” Kathy follows up with, “Oh, yeah, what about Carol’s inference? I seem to recall your ignorance of color theory is quite remarked-upon.
By “experts”, even.”
First of all, some parts of the World use the spelling, “colour”. I will use the standard American spelling…I just didn’t want folks thinking I was as U.S.-centric as my two questioning friends. Second, I’m not sure, but if my understanding is correct…on a standard color wheel:
If two hues are opposite each other on a color chart, they are considered to be complementary colors.
When used together in a design they intensify both colors and make the warmer color(s) brighter. This can be a great way to combine unlikely colors in ways that are palatable from an aesthetic perspective. This method of combining colors can be risky when applied to men’s knitwear design, as it can make for a very loud combination of colors. A couple ways of muting the effects of this high-contrast method of color design is to use more smoky shades of the complementary colors. Deep antique golds with rich, dusty plum colors work much better on an overall garment design than bright yellows and bright purples (unless your goal is to have a loud, bold design. The honeysuckle and the clematis (pronounced with the exact same emphasis as the correct pronunciation of clitoris), on the dark green background, make a perfect set of complementary colors.
Moorecat asks about the Aran side panels I will be knitting, “Will you join the straps as you go, Joe?”
I will knit them separately, and then sew them on. Not because I don’t like wool in my lap, but because it will just be easier overall for me that way.
Tosser.
I have a 23-year-old Schlub, a Perry Ellis design complete with Dolman sleeves.
Cleo finds it quite the ticket for naps.
The primary qualification for wearing a shrug and carrying it off is a very flat stomach, which automatically disqualifies most women over 20, alas.
I love the whole retro feel of the shrug — I can see wearing it with a vintage ’50s style silk dupioni gown. However, to carry off the look you have to wear a girdle, and high heels, and a ’50s hairdo, and… never mind. Too much work just to accomodate the shrug.
Ukkk, apricot slug no less! How foul.
I think that in the end you may be very pleased that you need to make the additions to the aran sweater because now you can do the underarm part in a smoother pattern, like seed stitch or something, which will be a lot more comfortable under the arms than the heavy cables that were there in the first incarnation of it. these things have a strange way of working out sometimes – lucky I’m not religiously inclined. (Humanist on that quiz I think).
By the way, and going back to one of your earlier posts, I really dislike the term ‘politically correct’ because to me it implies that I am saying/doing something for show rather than because that is what I really feel or believe. To me most things that get labelled politically correct are simply matters of good manners and consideration for others. What do others think? I just think it is used too often as a put-down by right wing people when someone offers a liberal (lower case L) view. Or perhaps I am too sensitive?
I love you, my “friend”.
I have a schlub that I only wear in the privacy of my own bedroom when I’m sitting up in bed reading in the winter. Keeps my arms and shoulders warm Other than that it is of no value! Any my husband doesn’t think it is particularly valuable the way I use it now! He hates it! 🙂
Hey, what’s this about knitting straps? Are you knitting a jock strap? Try Fixation — it’ll give you more bounce.
Let us know if your hits go up over the use of the word clitoris in this post. I have the feeling there are going to be some disappointed people out there.
Penny
Which photo is the closest to the color of the Aran?
Sandy
I love your current project (the Aran)…it looks like a marble sculpture.
Hi Joe,
I’ve been reading (& enjoying) your blog for quite a while. Delurking today for no particular reason, but…
– I like your Aran. I have been intimidated by the idea of designing my own, because I always ‘design on the fly’ the way you are doing this one, and Arans are notoriously difficult for gauge issues. So, I like your solution – it’s elegant and makes the whole concept seem manageable.
– I think shrugs have a perfectly good place in the knitting world as bedjackets, and I keep planning to knit one for myself. I have ME and spend a lot of time resting in bed with cold arms. It’s hard to knit in bed when bundled up in a shawl, and cardigans are too long and get bunched up in back.
– I’ve seen the Lego knitting machine before, and my husband (gotta love a Lego geek) has had partial success at building one of his own. I’m still trying to persuade him to make me a Wallace & Gromit-style porridge canon out of Lego…
About color theory: While it is well to know the basics, I tend to think the color wheels, especially the cheap ones sold in yarn stores, are just about useless. More useful for planning color schemes, because they include the full range of neutrals and many shades and tints of colors, are the decks of color cards sold by paint companies through their retail outlets. Try one, and see if you don’t find it worthwhile.
Come on now, she doesn’t look like a schlub, does she?
http://www.xtreme-knitting.com/photos-forestfruits.htm