It was fantastic. The exhibit is jaw dropping. The history is inspiring. The designs are too beautiful to be believed.
I picked Sally up at the airport and she was like a weak kitten, but was also quite a trooper. We arrived at the opening reception at the American Swedish Institute, and right as you enter, you see your first Bohus sweaters in a small display case. I gasped. Then we entered the reception area and saw fantastic food — I gasped again and ran for the goodies!
Here are some of the key players at the event:
Susanna Hansson — Susanna is one of the favorite teachers at Yarnover and I think is single-handedly rekindling a love for all things Bohus. She translates the Bohus patterns into English (thank you!).
Wendy J. Johnson — Wendy was instrumental is making the exhibit a reality and in getting the Bohus Stickning book (see below) to press.
Solveig Gustafsson — Solveig is recreating the gorgeous Bohus kits. This endeavor is as much art as science, and she does unbelieveable work. She dyes the yarn to precision and knits the samples (she said that she knits the yokes and her husband knits the bodies by machine!).
Kerstin Olsson — Kerstin is one of the original team of designers for the Bohus and designed my beloved Wild Apples.
Sally and I saw Susanna right away, and she asked if we would like to meet Solveig — of course! Solveig said she reads our blog all the time! I was floating on Cloud Nine after that comment!
There were two main viewing rooms with Bohuses on display. It was breathtaking to see a roomful of Bohuses! Kerstin provided an informal history lesson on the different designs.
Later in the evening, Solveig did a lecture describing her personal journey into Bohus and the creative process of recreating the designs. She has completed 32 designs and said there are over 1,000 left to do!
She was so warm and funny. Someone asked this lengthy question about the link to the past and did she feel a spiritual connection to the knitters who have gone before…etc., etc. Her one-word response: No.
And then they unveiled her most recent designs: Blue Light, Turquoise Light (which she pronounced “turquose” — again, very cute!), Red Light, Gothic Windows and the simple but elegant Rime Frost. Rime Frost is famous for the fact that Grace Kelly wore it on many occasions, so it is often referred to as the Grace Kelly Bohus. How to choose? One cannot!
I did buy the special edition book published for the event:
Available for $14.95
It includes pictures that have never been seen before. Today we will see the documentary film about Bohus Stickning and knit in the “Castle” with others who understand the significance of this historic exhibit — woo hoo!
For another perspective, check out Ellen’s blog. Last night she wore her just-finished Forest Darkness (gorgeous!).
Your excitement is catching! I aspire to make one of these beautiful things, but shall have to content myself with seeing others’ work for now.
Comment by Cornflower — January 24, 2009 @ 10:09 am
I was in awe last night!!! I can’t wait to go back on Sunday…
Comment by knittymama — January 24, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I am so jealous! I have cousins in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and thought of asking to visit them during this event, but thought they’d catch on very quickly – none are knitters. I will be taking a Bohus class from Susanna in June. Can’t wait. Have fun and take it all in. You go girls!
Comment by Nancy — January 24, 2009 @ 10:28 am
I am checking my calendar to see when I can fit in another trip to Mpls. Have never seen a Bohus in the flesh (so to speak).
Comment by kmkat — January 24, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Thank you for all the praise!
One other key player in this exhibit is Wendy J. Johnson (www.sagahill.com). She first suggested the idea of an exhibit to me in 2005, saying she had the perfect location – and boy, was she right about that! Wendy is also responsible for the amazing photography in the Bohus Special Edition catalogue.
I keep having to pinch myself to realize it’s all happening…
Comment by Susanna in Seattle — January 24, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks for the call out, Susan. One of the special bits of the night for me was meeting Sally and seeing you!
Hard to believe we get one more day of this!
Comment by twinsetellen — January 25, 2009 @ 1:03 am
I can’t wait! I’m so sad I missed the opening but will be at the workshop on Monday. I decided before I signed up for the workshop that I would NOT buy a sweater kit. I need to be strong. If anyone sees me with a large bag, tackle me and remove it. Yippee…one more day. Thanks for sharing all about the opening night and exhibit.
Comment by Jane — January 25, 2009 @ 9:53 am
:sigh: I am SO jealous!!! I wish I could see it! But I can live vicariously through you, right? 🙂
Comment by Romi — January 25, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
Hi Susan,
It was great seeing you the other night. While I was not a big fan of the bohus when I arrived, I left as full convert.I am considering doing a bohus myself!
Comment by Eryka Jackson — January 25, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
It was a great weekend and the exhibit is still ongoing, so plan to see it! The women I met from South Carolina, Laura and Holly, must have been having fun–they weren’t frozen solid.
I just love the picture above of Wild Apples. Is that your sweater yoke or one from the exhibit? I’m not remembering anything that big from Wendy’s exhibit book photos but I really didn’t have much time to study it. I’d love to be able to have those colors in front of me and I like that you can see the angora.
I can see why you knit that one, Susan.
Sally, glad you made it but it is too bad you weren’t feeling 100%!
Comment by Gerrie Barosso — January 26, 2009 @ 11:34 am
is there a place we can go to order/buy that book? the knitting looks amazing!! and such a great resource…
Comment by Kyle Kunnecke — January 27, 2009 @ 1:57 am