Welcome to the blog tour for Karie Westermann‘s upcoming book, This Thing of Paper. Thanks to the link over here from Meg Roper, the previous stop on the tour. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to explain why I’m so interested in this project.
(c) Karie Westermann
I love history – lots different bits of history. Usually the bits I was most interested in had nothing to do with what I needed to learn at school. I bought and devoured a Penguin Atlas of Medieval History and used it to find other topics to explore. I love ancient myths and legends. While working at my first full-time tech job, I did a Classical Studies degree at night by correspondence just for fun. And if you’re reading this blog you probably know about my more recent obsession with everything Art Deco.
Also, I knit.
All of these interests primed me to love Karie Westermann’s work. When I heard about Doggerland, her e-book inspired by the artifacts from the lost land in the North Sea, I had to get it. The patterns are fantastic, the history is fascinating, and the hand-drawn sketches done by her partner David are lovely. I blogged about it back in 2013, and I’ve been following her work ever since.
I was so excited this month to read a post from Karie about her newest project that I rushed back to the computer and dashed off a quick email of congratulations. Karie is doing a Kickstarter for This Thing of Paper, a book of knitting patterns and essays inspired by the age of Gutenberg. I’m delighted to report that it quickly exceeded the target, so I know that next year I’ll be getting a lovely book in the mail – and you can too!
The book with its 10 patterns and essays will cover the transition from illuminated manuscripts
Book of Kells, source: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3153435
through the invention of the press
replica Gutenberg press (source: user AodhDubh at English Wikipedia)
to a time when printed material was more commonly available.
(c) Karie Westermann
It’s amazing to think how much changed during that span of time, and I can’t wait to read Karie’s thoughts and to see the patterns.
Tune in this week to the Knit British podcast to hear Karie chat with Louise Scollay about This Thing of Paper. Next up on the blog tour this coming Wed. June 1st is Jacqui Harding over at HappyMaking Designs, who’s working on an exciting project of her own.
Full blog tour list for This Thing of Paper:
May 26: Naomi Parkhurst
May 27: Meg Roper
May 30: Natalie Servant
June 1: Jacqui Harding
June 6: Woolly Wormhead
June 8: Tom of Holland / Tom van Deijnen
June 10: Ella Austin
June 13: Leona Jayne Kelly of Fluph
June 15: JacquelineM
June 16: Felix Ford/KNITSONIK
June 17: Clare Devine
June 20: Dianna Walla
