PARTICIPANTS D - I

Knitted scarf of beige worsted wool that I knitted together with a Ritratto S. Charles blend to add some contrast, 78" x 10.5"

Diane Moore, Canyon Country, CA, USA

My ancestors are Scottish and Manx, particularly Gunns and MacLeods. I had long dreamed of going to Scotland, and in 2007 I got my wish. Included in my trip were several days on the Isle of Skye and a visit to my clan seat of Dunvegan Castle. Scotland is a rich and beautiful place and I hope to return there again.
A year ago (September 2008) I took my first knitting class, not knowing then that my new hobby would lead me again to Skye. I was thrilled to discover online the Lùban air an Drochaid project, and since I am unable to be in Scotland for Homecoming 2009, at least a knitted piece of my heart can be there!
My panel is not fancy, or sophisticated, but it’s made and sent for all the Haskells and Corkills and MacLeods and Gunns who came before me. I’m proud to participate in this great project!

Knitted scarf, 78" x 10"

Doffy, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Doffy has single-handedly knitted so many rectangles, we've lost count!

Too many to count rectangles!

Dottie James, Florida, USA

I was born in Dundee, but my family immigrated to Canada (Dundas, Ontario) as a child and then on to Florida when I was a teenager. So, yes, I still have strong links to my Homeland.

My mother was a knitter and taught me at an early age. Most of what I do is plain knitting, as you can see. I am also involved in Living History Events (19th century) and knit as part of my persona – historic styled shawls in particular.

When I first heard of the Stitches on the Bridge project, I was enthralled with the idea as I love that area of Scotland, having visited Skye myself in the early 70s. So I decided to become a part of your wonderful adventure. My scarf depicts both my Scottish heritage and Florida where I now live. The blue and white, of course, for the Scottish flag and the yellow sunshine and green foliage of Florida. I hope that someone will enjoy wearing the scarf when the bridge project is over and “a little Florida sunshine” might be a welcome respite from the Scottish winter.

Knitted scarf, 200 x 50 cm

Elizabeth McNeill, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

My daughter, who recently moved to live on Skye, sent me the details of your project.

I live in Portrush in Northern Ireland and have a caravan at Knockalla County Donegal in the Irish Republic. Over the past few months I have been relaxing at Knockalla at weekends after my busy working week and knitting my contribution to your project. Last year my friend gave me a bag of assorted balls of wool in bright colours (she is a “bright colour” person; I prefer more subdued shades) and I wondered what I could do with the wool as it wasn’t best suited to knitting a garment – then along came the details of Stitches on the Bridge.

Knitted panel, 200 x 67 cm

Elizabeth Masterson, Lochalsh, Scotland

Knitted panel with embroidered "Skye"

Erin O’Connor, San Diego, CA, USA

This scarf is made from the leftovers of three sweaters, a hat, and a pair of kilt hose! It also matches my living room, which maybe tells you something about how I choose colors for my projects. J

I hope it serve the Stitches on the Bridge project well!

Notes on the yarn:

Red = Cascade 220, 100% wool

Heather brown – Cascade 220, 100% wool

Green = Elann Peruvian Highland, 100% wool

Darker brown = Lion Brand Al-Pa-Ka, 30% alpaca, 30% wool, 40% acrylic

Marled brown = also Lion Brand Al-Pa-Ka, 30% alpaca, 30% wool, 40% acrylic

Tan (skinny stripes) = Moda Dea Eclipse, 40% nylon, 60% wool.

Knitted scarf, 200 x 26 cm

Ewan Gibson, Paisley, Scotland

Aged 10

Knitted rectangle

Fiona Sutherland, Buckie, Scotland

Homecoming is about arriving in the here and now and this is what my panel portrays.  As a former forestry manager and environmental auditor, my interest is in the land and its many uses.  My panel shows a timeline of land use throughout history:

Prehistory / Wild Wood

Before the impact of man and overgrazing, most of Scotland was covered in natural woodland.  This is represented by the Ogam for tree (the Ogam is the Celtic tree alphabet and came to Scotland from Ireland).

Pictish Times

Man soon came to have a more lasting effect on his landscape: clearing some areas for larger settlements and leaving us the remains of their inscribed standing stones.  Represented here by a stone inscribed with the V-rod and crescent symbol.

Crofting Times

Small butt and ben thatched cottages with a few acres of land for crops and grazing. Peat cut for fuel. Incomes supplemented by fishing in hill lochs or the sea.  Represented here by a thatched cottage and 3 rows of cut peats (could also represent a run rig).

The Clearances

Communities forcibly removed to make room for the Laird’s sheep.  Crofts abandoned.  People forced to the poor coastal areas or even abroad.  Represented her by a ship.  Could be an old fishing boat or a passenger ship.

Modern Day Industries

Represented her by a large fish which is to represent fish farming and an oil or gas platform.

Modern Day - Future

New, clean, green industry represented by a wind energy turbine.

Homecoming

Scots descendants represented by a jumbo jet bringing them home.

Knitted and embroidered scarf, 200 x 36 cm

Flora Strachan, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Knitted freeform panel

Gemma Thompson, London, England

I am a Scot currently living in London for a while. I have been to Skye a few times both by boat and by bridge. I sometimes get a bit homesick and when I saw this project I didn’t think twice about doing it. It took me longer to decide what to do though. I chose to do two pieces, both scarves. I haven’t been knitting that long but I have realised that I enjoy the patterns and textures you can make with stitches rather than colour work so I have one scarf that has a thistle motif at each end and then another scarf that has an argyle pattern to it. I enjoyed making both of these items and I hope that they fit well on the bridge.

Regrettably I won’t get a chance to see the bridge covered but I am sure it will look great.

Good luck with the project, I hope it goes well.

2 x knitted scarves, 200 x 26 cm and 200 x 36 cm

Hastings Knitting Group, England

We are a small group of knitters from Hastings. We meet once a week, twice a month at the White Rock Hotel with a group from St Leonards and on the other weeks at each others’ houses.

We’ve been meeting for about a year and this is the first group project we’ve taken part in. We only heard about Stitches on the Bridge recently so our offering is quite modest.

Angela Gardner - Knitted scarf, 200 x 30 cm

Gemma Buxton, knitted rectangle, 30 x 30 cm

Manami Cheves, knitted rectangle, 26 x 20 cm

Helen Christie, Aberdeen, Scotland

Haven’t knitted for years but had to do this. Will enjoy knitting again! Thanks and good luck!

Knitted scarf, 190 x 25 cm

Helen Kewley née Ferguson, Sale, Victoria, Australia

I have knitted these pieces for the Skye Bridge project as the Bridge represents a link or access to the homeland of my paternal ancestors. My great grandfather was born in Portree, and came to Australis in 1839. His mother (my great great grandmother) was born in Bracadale. After several visits to Skye, the most recent being October 2008, it has become a very special place for me. I feel a strong sense of “belonging” during the time I spend there. To me, Skye is “my home”. I hope to be “going home” again in 2010.

2 x knitted scarves, 200 x 26 cm

Hilary Denny, Fort William, Scotland

Hi, I’m Hilary, lived in Fort William since 1990, but originally from Yorkshire. No real links with Skye, I’ve been over there 3 times, first time was to Broadford to see the Waterboys in 1990, missed the last ferry home so 5 of us ended up sleeping in my little fiesta, that was when plans for a bridge were being discussed and we reckoned they should get on with it. I also went over the bridge in 1995, with my dad, stepmum and nana, all I remember was getting eaten by midges, they are a lot fiercer than lochaber ones. Also went on the Mallaig -Armadale ferry when kids were wee, it was scorching over in Skye.
I know a few folks here from Skye, The current head of Portree high taught my youngest boy at Sunday school and his playgroup teacher also came from Skye.

Crocheted scarf, 198 x 23 cm; knitted Stolen Moment scarf, 109 x 23 cm, knitted Clapotis scarf (being knitted in the 4th photo!), 200 x 26 cm 

Howard Doris Centre, Lochcarron, Scotland

Many various rectangles 

Ishbel Cameron and Catherine Fraser, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

This blanket has been designed by Catherine Fraser (a retired nurse) and Ishbel Cameron (a retired cook) who live in the Kyle of Lochalsh area on the north west coast of Scotland.

The wool was donated by a physiotherapist friend of Catherine’s.  We think the colours reflect the landscape of Scotland.

The black could represent the dark winter nights, while the cerise, purples and mauves with the various shades of green could reflect the colours of the Scottish thistle and Scottish heather. We hop the randon dyed wool on the pale mauve flower will remind you of the wonderful sunsets we get on the West Coast.

Both ladies are married with families and have been knitting from an early age. Ishbel was brought up during the war years where knitting was taught in primary school (even the boys had to knit squares for blankets for the troops) and she learned to crochet while in the Brownies. Her hobbies include sewing, making greetings cards, moth-trapping and recording, and studying nature.

Catherine loves knitting, cooking, baking, gardening and caring for the elderly.

Both ladies use their skills to fundraise for Church Missions and worthwhile causes.

Knitted and crocheted panel, 20 x 133 cm