I am delighted to welcome
FANNY BLAKE
AUTHOR OF OUR SUMMER TOGETHER
(ORION BOOKS) AND AN ITALIAN SUMMER (ORION BOOKS, PUBLISHED IN JULY 2018)
TO TALK ABOUT HER LOVE OF KNITTING
Have you always been creative – and not just with words?
I’ve always loved making things. It started when I was a kid
and made hundreds of Airfix models. I was so pleased when my children got to an
age when they enjoyed that too. My mum taught me to knit and embroider but I’ve
been through phases of doing crochet, patchwork, macramé, tapestry,
dress-making, you name it, but knitting is the one that’s lasted. I still love
browsing in a wool shop and am always tempted by the colours and textures.
When did you first learn to knit and did you start knitting for any particular reason?
My mum taught me to knit so long ago that I can’t remember if there was a reason. I suspect it was simply that she knitted and I wanted to copy her. I remember starting with a cotton reel with four nails hammered into the top. I’d make a long trail of knitted multi-coloured wool that I’d turn into circular mats. After that I moved on to more advanced things. I got my Guide badge in knitting and I remember a green jumper with a very wonky green V-neck, and a pair of unwearable socks with heels I couldn’t turn properly. Since then I’ve got better, though I’m very far from being an expert.
How often do you knit and how easy is it to find the time?
My mum taught me to knit so long ago that I can’t remember if there was a reason. I suspect it was simply that she knitted and I wanted to copy her. I remember starting with a cotton reel with four nails hammered into the top. I’d make a long trail of knitted multi-coloured wool that I’d turn into circular mats. After that I moved on to more advanced things. I got my Guide badge in knitting and I remember a green jumper with a very wonky green V-neck, and a pair of unwearable socks with heels I couldn’t turn properly. Since then I’ve got better, though I’m very far from being an expert.
I always knit whenever I’m watching TV. I do occasionally
just sit and knit without doing anything else at the same time, but very
rarely.
Do you do any other arts and crafts?
I’ve just taken a course in botanical painting. It’s an
extremely precise art that’s all-absorbing and extremely satisfying or, in my
case, frustrating because I find it very hard. I like the idea of doing it well
though so have signed up for another course though I think it needs much more
practice than I’m currently able to do.
Do you think knitting (or the time you spend knitting) helps with your writing and overall wellbeing?
What have you knitted recently?
THANKS FOR TAKING PART, FANNY!
About FANNY BLAKE
Fanny Blake
was a publisher for many years, editing both fiction and non-fiction before
becoming a freelance journalist and writer. She has written various non-fiction
titles, acted as a ghost writer for a number of celebrities and is also
the Books Editor for Woman & Home magazine. She has written seven novels
including House of Dreams and Our Summer Together. Her seventh, An Italian
Summer (Orion) is out in July.
Find Fanny Blake on Twitter - @FannyBlake1
I'm hoping to feature more Authors' Creative Pursuits
on Off-the-Shelf Books in the future.
on Off-the-Shelf Books in the future.
So if you're a published author and have a talent for arts and crafts, music, photography, baking or other creative activities, and would like to feature on my blog, please do get in touch!
No comments:
Post a Comment