Beautiful piece on material memory. The detail about her pencil marks counting rows in the pattern book really captures how objects hold emotional weight beyond their function. I've studied archival collections before and there's something profound when you realize an unfinished project isn't abandonment but a historical marker, literally frozen at VE Day. Mrs. Kalil's story reminds us war wasn't just battlefelds, it was mufflers knit in living rooms.
Thank you for your eloquent and thoughtful response. During travel in Oslo, I visited Norwegian artist Kari Steihaug, who collected and photographed unfinished knitted objects for many years, then collected stories from makers to learn why they had left the objects unfinished. I recommend her beautiful and sensitive book, ARKIV: De ufullendte (Magikon Forlage, 2011) in case you haven't already come across it. The text is in Norwegian and English. (My story about that visit and her artwork will be in my Substack this spring.)
Interesting that I run across this article today, as I am currently in the process of reading "Four Red Sweaters" by Lucy Adlington. It is "powerful true stories of women and the holocaust". It begins with a red sweater exhibited in the Imperial War Museum in London. Focused on four German and Polish Jewish women and their knitting abilities, the story goes much much deeper.
Kathy, I agree that "Four Red Sweaters" is an important book. Objects hold powerful stories waiting for discovery. Thank you for reading and commenting.
That WWII museum is an amazing place. When you mentioned the wedding dress, I thought I had heard about that on Band of Brothers. Here’s a link if you are interested.
Thank you, Jim, for reading and sending the video link. Agreed, the WWII museum is amazing. Myths about clothing often enter the history of dress through fiction (and incorrect information from donors to museum collections), but the silk parachute wedding dress is well documented. The video link was new to me and very interesting.
Beautiful piece on material memory. The detail about her pencil marks counting rows in the pattern book really captures how objects hold emotional weight beyond their function. I've studied archival collections before and there's something profound when you realize an unfinished project isn't abandonment but a historical marker, literally frozen at VE Day. Mrs. Kalil's story reminds us war wasn't just battlefelds, it was mufflers knit in living rooms.
Thank you for your eloquent and thoughtful response. During travel in Oslo, I visited Norwegian artist Kari Steihaug, who collected and photographed unfinished knitted objects for many years, then collected stories from makers to learn why they had left the objects unfinished. I recommend her beautiful and sensitive book, ARKIV: De ufullendte (Magikon Forlage, 2011) in case you haven't already come across it. The text is in Norwegian and English. (My story about that visit and her artwork will be in my Substack this spring.)
Great story. I’m so glad this sweater was saved, and you took the time to tell it. Lovely drawings, too. A cozy Sunday afternoon read. Thank you.
Thanks, Wini.
Thank you, Wini. My heart was in this story for many reasons.
Interesting that I run across this article today, as I am currently in the process of reading "Four Red Sweaters" by Lucy Adlington. It is "powerful true stories of women and the holocaust". It begins with a red sweater exhibited in the Imperial War Museum in London. Focused on four German and Polish Jewish women and their knitting abilities, the story goes much much deeper.
Kathy, I agree that "Four Red Sweaters" is an important book. Objects hold powerful stories waiting for discovery. Thank you for reading and commenting.
--Susan Strawn
Susan, lovely. Ardy
Thank you, Ardy, for reading and commenting. Hope to see you in the critique group soon.
That WWII museum is an amazing place. When you mentioned the wedding dress, I thought I had heard about that on Band of Brothers. Here’s a link if you are interested.
https://youtu.be/Rk-MhlEPbzI?si=NPh-wLHBoWieqm2q
Thank you, Jim, for reading and sending the video link. Agreed, the WWII museum is amazing. Myths about clothing often enter the history of dress through fiction (and incorrect information from donors to museum collections), but the silk parachute wedding dress is well documented. The video link was new to me and very interesting.