Real People Online: Avital Pinnick (Part 1)
© Suzanne Griffith
Avital, a Canadian by birth, lives in Jerusalem with her husband, son, and some potted cotton plants. She earned a Ph.D. in Second Temple Jewish Literature from Harvard University and is currently Chief of Publications for the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. I interviewed Avital by email in April.
Avital's Miniature Bag
(for Leigh Witchel's Dance as Ever charity auction)
I remember reading that you once knitted professionally?
When I was in my final weeks of pregnancy and unable to work long hours, my husband's research grant at the university ran out; he was earning extra cash by guarding building sites at night. I began to do contract knitting for a local yarn shop, now no longer in business. It was very interesting work, since the owner did her own designs, but it sure took a lot of the fun out of knitting! For example, with only a sketch and measurements, I'd produce a man's medium-gauge (5 sts/inch) cardigan, from start to finish (except sewing on the buttons), in about five days and receive the equivalent of $33 US. I don't recommend it as an easy way to make a living but we were in dire financial straits and that money helped buy groceries.
I still accept occasional commissions but only serious ones. My fees usually separate the serious buyers from the bargain hunters.
Did you make the hat and collar that you're wearing in your photo?
That hat is commercially made. The collar is bobbin lace and took me almost a year to complete. The design is by Eeva-Liisa Kortelahti, a marvelous Finnish designer, worked in Swedish Bockens 90/2 linen thread. With the help and encouragement of the Arachne lace list, I taught myself bobbin lace about two and a half years ago. As an ambitious beginner, I figured a collar wouldn't take too long, right? Wrong! It was an on-and-off project while finishing my doctoral dissertation. I'm very proud of that collar and wear it frequently. I'd love to do another Kortelahti design -- maybe another collar? -- after I finish my no-brainer 4" wide tablecloth insertion.
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