fccs’s Inuk & Nanuk February 2022

[fccs]

My sister gave this to me several years ago and yesterday I decided it was finally time to start it. Rather than using the suggested white Aida I’m using this piece of 18 count Aida. It’s a light mottled grey, lighter than it appears in the photo. I have another piece of the fabric left and I’ll use it for another design given to me by my sister. She got both when she went to Alaska and they’ll look good together.



I didn’t get a lot done, but it’s a start, right?

[Squirrel]

and it is a very good start too. Love that fabric you are using.

[Serinde]

It's an excellent start!

[Mabel Figworthy]

That fabric looks very cold and grey and suitable! It will really make that fire stand out and look warming.

[fccs]

That fabric looks very cold and grey and suitable! It will really make that fire stand out and look warming.

That’s what I’m hoping.

[rcperryls]

Great start and the fabric is perfect for it. I think I'll pull up a comfy chair in front of the fire with a cup of hot tea to watch you stitch this one.

Carole

[wendywombat]

Great start and the fabric is perfect for it. I think I'll pull up a comfy chair in front of the fire with a cup of hot tea to watch you stitch this one.

Carole

Yes Me too! What fun and perfect fabric.

[fccs]

My stopping point last night. This is a fun one.

[rcperryls]

He is so adorable!! That has to be fun to stitch!

Speaking of adorable. Are you keeping Jackson away from the lawyer's ad that I posted in "Smile for the day"

Carole

[fccs]

He is so adorable!! That has to be fun to stitch!

Speaking of adorable. Are you keeping Jackson away from the lawyer's ad that I posted in "Smile for the day"

Carole

Thanks. And Jackson will definitely not be allowed to see that ad.

[fccs]

Nanuk is done. I think I’ll do the fire next and maybe take a break and go back to Tess….or keep going on this one because it really is fun.

[Steam.Jo]

I can see why you are finding this so much fun to do, it will bring a smile to anyone

Jo

[Serinde]

That's very cute, and the fabric looks like snow drifts. Excellent choice.

[wendywombat]

This makes me smile too!
I'd never heard of "Inuk & Nanuk" before.
What's the history behind them?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Wendy, I don't know about the story but I do remember that in "White Christmas" Bing Crosby's character at one point refers to Danny Kaye's character (who is dressed up for severe winter weather) as "Nanook of the North" (and for some reason DK then panted like a dog. Every time I see that I resolve to research it after the film, and then I forget ). I will admit that I am now so used to modern sensibilities that I wondered whether this design would be seen as demeaning or offensive to Inuit people, but I hope it wouldn't be - personally I certainly don't feel offended at designs of cute little Dutch girls in clogs and blond plaits and what is meant to be traditional dress and headgear, but I suppose that varies from person to person.

[rcperryls]

So cute!! I think they are adorable. And can see why they are fun to stitch.

Carole

[fccs]

This makes me smile too!
I'd never heard of "Inuk & Nanuk" before.
What's the history behind them?

I have no idea…figured that’s just what the designer called them.

Wendy, I don't know about the story but I do remember that in "White Christmas" Bing Crosby's character at one point refers to Danny Kaye's character (who is dressed up for severe winter weather) as "Nanook of the North" (and for some reason DK then panted like a dog. Every time I see that I resolve to research it after the film, and then I forget ). I will admit that I am now so used to modern sensibilities that I wondered whether this design would be seen as demeaning or offensive to Inuit people, but I hope it wouldn't be - personally I certainly don't feel offended at designs of cute little Dutch girls in clogs and blond plaits and what is meant to be traditional dress and headgear, but I suppose that varies from person to person.

I had not even thought about the design being offensive. I see nothing offensive in it. I think anyone, Inuit or otherwise, would relish warming their cold bottoms by a fire.

As for Nanook of the North, I remember the White Christmas line. A quick Google search told me that nanook is an Inuit word for polar bear. And this: “In Inuit mythology, Nanuk (which means polar bear in Inuktitut) was the master of the bears. Inuit hunters worshiped the great bear, believing that he decided which hunters deserved success.”

And this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanook_of_the_North

[Mabel Figworthy]

I don't think it is offensive either - but I think I'm sometimes getting over-sensitive because people do seem to take offense more quickly than they used to.

Did a bit of Googling as well, and "Nanook of the North" was a 1922 (!) semi-documentary about an Inuit family. The man was called Nanook, except he wasn't really, the film maker felt his real name was too difficult for Western viewers....

[Squirrel]

Great finish on the first figure. Well Done.

[Serinde]

I don't think it is offensive either - but I think I'm sometimes getting over-sensitive because people do seem to take offense more quickly than they used to.

Did a bit of Googling as well, and "Nanook of the North" was a 1922 (!) semi-documentary about an Inuit family. The man was called Nanook, except he wasn't really, the film maker felt his real name was too difficult for Western viewers....

That's what I remember as a child. Any child dressed for a "real" midwestern winter might be referred to as Nanook. (I always took it to mean really snug and warm when going out to play; a sensible way to behave in -0 weather and snow, after all.)