This was inspired by a call for submissions from the Gallery Vertigo in Vernon, an exhibit entitled Photo2Fibre:

“Participants are challenged to make a fibre arts piece directly referencing a photograph. The exhibit will include both the fibre art and reference photo, displayed side by side.”

The black & white photo of my dad and uncle was taken by their Uncle Max in his garden in 1936 when they were just 4 years old. But because this piece represents their twin life over time, I wanted to include another photo of them as they are now. The second picture is taken at the side of the house, January 6, 2017. I took the colours from their clothes, and they stood together the same way as the 1936 photo without any direction from me.

I started this on February 1st after it simmered in my brain for months. Finding the right wool with the right colours was agonizing.

I started knitting at the base double stranded and used Lucy Neatby’s middle-out cast on. From the beginning, I divided the stitches into eight sections (four kids each) and increased 1 stitch every second row for each section to 120 stitches from each ball, 240 stitches in total. From there I double knit around, increasing each colour one stitch at the end of the row so the colour would swirl around the vessel.

The points were made using the base triangles of Allison LoCicero’s Entrelac Scarf, and I bound off the edge of each triangle using this double-knit three-needle bind off technique (using a crochet hook). I-cords (grandchildren) were then applied.

Soaked in a vinegar bath prior to felting to help hold the colours just in case. Then into a very hot wash in a top-load washer with two pairs of old jeans for about 30 minutes, and I checked in every 5 minutes or so. Half way I poured in a kettle of boiling water as well. The i-cords didn’t felt enough, so I finished them off later using a felting needle.

Pre-washing measurements from knitted base:
Circumference: 32”/81cm
Height: 14”/35.5cm

Post-washing measurements from knitted base:
Circumference: 26”
Height: 8”

Once out of the wash, I towel-dried it as much as possible and then stretched it over a glass mixing bowl. It shrunk as it dried, so I continued to stretch and pull it into the shape I wanted as it dried. Then all the hairy stuff had to be snipped off, which I recommend using the sharpest scissors possible and be careful.

Once it was thoroughly dry (two days), I sewed on the 11/0 glass seed beads using a big-eyed beading needle. It was sharp and pointy enough to get through the felting just fine.

My dad and my uncle, twins from the beginning to the present, spontaneously striking their pose now as they stood then.

These two are a closed circle, disparate yet inexorably entwined; following and leading simultaneously without discussion; never apart, even when living in different cities; perpetually debating their like minds as they sit together with knees almost touching. They are two pieces making one puzzle. Who was born first? It is the inevitable question asked in seeking, perhaps, a reference point as to where the circle began. Who is representing whom? Would the real Mr. Fischer please stand.

March 15, 2017: Just received acceptance. Simulacrum will show in the Photo2Fibre exhibit! Opening night is April 6, 2017, and runs to April 28, 2017. Everyone is welcome. :)

April 7, 2017
Opening night was great! A good crowd in attendance, wine, nibblies, lots of chatter, and inspiration abounds. An overall fabulous road trip with Cindy. This whole putting one’s makings up for observance and praise is so quite exciting, I’m having a hard time buckling down to do some of my regular work this Friday morning.