Josie George’s temperature scarf as of September 4, 2020.
She discovered her experience of weather patterns often paralleled her own life and emotions.
As an author and artist, George’s many projects center around awareness of her surrounding environment.
Josie George’s temperature scarf as of September 4, 2020.
She’s chosen a variety of warm and cool shades to depict the full spectrum of the English climate.
Some months are more uniform, as seen in the chilly blues and grays of January and February.
Other months set records as unusually warm and dry.
The temperature scarf at the end of March.
George hopes that her project will encourage a deeper contemplation of climate change.
Deep contemplation is a theme throughout her creative practicesknitting, photography, and writing.
In her June 4 temperature scarf update, George tweeted about a swelteringly hot May and her concurrent thoughts.
George’s yarn color code for daily weather conditions.
I read and spoke words of hope and change as I knit.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
The temperature scarf at the end of March.
The April weather in the UK reflected in the scarf.
Why did you choose to use yarn as a medium to record the climate?
I love the quiet repetition and humility of knitting, each stitch considered and equal.
I love too how knitting is a kind of codingknits and purls instead of ones and zeros.
George’s temperature scarf at the end of May.
It lends itself gorgeously to data collection.
George’s yarn color code for daily weather conditions.
In your monthly scarf updates on Twitter, some blocks of uniform color appear while other lines are anomalies.
A close-up view of the month of June.
Has the weather of any particular month surprised you?
Sudden flashes of extreme heat through the summer left everything crisp and curling.
It has made me quite dizzy at times, just how unpredictable it has been.
George’s July update showing variable temperatures.
The April weather in the UK reflected in the scarf.
Based on your experience, why is it important to remain conscious of the environment?
I am deeply aware that our planet is in trouble.
For August, George knitted a wide range of temperatures which she tweeted was “both relentless & comforting.”
And yet, daily human life is not easy, often swallowing all our attention and thought.
It is frighteningly easy to switch off, forget, tune-out or dismiss environmental news.
When we ignore something, we lose our relationship with that thing.
“A Still Life” by Josie George, published by Bloomsbury and due out on February 18, 2021.
We numb our sensitivity to its moods and changes, our sensual experience of being with it.
We also lose sight of how deeply connected we are to everything around us.
The earth is my home and I am joined to everything in it.
Author and artist Josie George.
I dont ever want to forget that.
George’s temperature scarf at the end of May.
Creating daily is an impressive feat of routine.
I love the way conscious actions repeated every day became a sort of slow, rhythmic dance.
Writing, moving, knitting, making art, meditating, caring for my environment.
Each of my hours has a different focus and I love that.
It shifts my attention through time and keeps me connected to the turn of the day.
It helps my life to feel directed, chosen.
A close-up view of the month of June.
You have described creating the scarf as a work of commitment, a relationship.
Could you elaborate further on what it means to truly engage with a project?
Even before COVID, I was mostly housebound and spent huge quantities of time alone.
Im here with you.
To listen and look and see what I can learn.
Thats what I wanted to do here, too.
I guess its about love, really, dont you think?
George’s July update showing variable temperatures.
As a writer, photographer, painter, and knitter, you create in many mediums.
Do your creative practices intertwine?
Do you find yourself approaching themessuch as the environmentacross multiple mediums?
For August, George knitted a wide range of temperatures which she tweeted was both relentless & comforting.
You have a forthcoming memoir entitledA Still Life.
You tell your story of living a meaningful, rewarding, quiet life.
What would you like our readers to know most about the book?
It is deeply personal, tender, and full of love.
A Still Life by Josie George, published by Bloomsbury and due out on February 18, 2021.
What do you intend to do with the temperature scarf when it’s complete?
Do you plan to make the scarf an annual project?
I havent quite decided yet!
