Hello,
My word for this week is a continuation of my intermittant series of interesting colour words, vermillion (or vermilion). Wikipedia has a wonderful article on the usage of this toxic mercury-based pigment since ancient times here. I hastily checked my own watercolour set and sure enough, I have various hues of cadmium red, but no actual vermillion. If you’re curious the vermillion is meant to be an orange-ish dark red. I just like this word because it looks interesting on the page and conjures up images of red-faced roman generals celebrating their victories. The paint’s source was so rare, it was subject to governmental price-fixing for that purpose and gives a whole new meaning to the term red-faced. The word itself also reminds me of rich vermin (think about it).
Red Scarf
Red was on my mind thanks to The Red Scarf Project at Craft Hope which I mentioned in my last post. I’ve finished my scarf for this, using the last of my pure new wool red yarn in the process, augmented with some grey bamboo yarn and some soft cotton baby blue around the edges. I hope the recepient likes the scarf. I did some scouting around for other crochet for charity projects on the internet, hoping I could find a project nearer to home but sadly none of the major Irish charities look much further than either cash or sponsored treks for their funding. I did find the following links for international options and will be getting to work on my next project soon.
UK Crafts for premature babies, not sure if they need crochet items?
Oxfam Ireland (knitting only as at Jan 2010)
Knit a Square for South African Aids Orphans, or crochet – also have patterns for hats and tops etc
When I wasn’t hooking madly to finish the scarf and start on a little jacket for my daughter’s favourite doll, I had my head down revising “The Morning After Service”. Major novel revision work is much more time intensive than I had guessed. I will be a busy bunny for the next few months. But I am learning. I am learning a great deal. That’s always good, right?
happy reading and writing,
Grace
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