Shortest Day of the Year

The craft fair was pretty good again - didn't take as much as the year before, but more than two years ago. The msuem shop has now got 17 baubles, but I will fetch the residue back after Christmas. Three had sold by the Christmas Event there. All Christmas gifts now dispersed, cards posted. Just the food shopping to tackle now. There will be no surprises this Christmas, the day itself is going to be something of an anti-climax. So my mnd was looking for some inspiration to ward off the doldrums. I found it in Lithuanian or Latvian mittens - two sources, virtually identical patterns. When I went to draft one, I found I had drafted the other some 18 months ago, but apparently never knitted. This time I did it 75% on the kntting machine. The cuff was a 7 st repeat so ha to be done by hand, plus the top shaping. Made a mistake at top of second one, corrected it, but somehow got the row count wrong and it ended up a whole pattern band shorter. Did first one with hand knit thumb, second with machine knit, just to see the difference. They look good in a photo! Also pegging away at the B&W Dordgone. Had to take back six whole diamonds on sleeves as I had gone past gusset areas. PLus unravel half of four more diamonds to get the slits in. This means about 8 hours more work. Also spent a day spinning plain white for next band. Determined to finish it before doign any more handknitting, but don't think it will be done by the end of the year.

A lot happenig in November

Annual Knitting History Forum in London. Always something to linger in the mind afterwards - this time it was the Visible Mending Programme by Tom of Holland (and amusement at Sandy not being able to pronounce his real surname!) Went early and had a mooch around Tufnell Park where the kids have bought a flat. Then on to Guildford to meet Emily and the slow train home. Following week, it was the 7th anniversary of K&cklers in the Coop. I think we mustered nine in all, plus cake. Really buzzed. Went with Margaret to Knitting Exhibition in NTU. One of exhibits by Amy Trigger Holroyd, who had been at KHF week before, and whose work links with Tom's - she cuts "found" knitting, drops ladders down, works thme back up as purls to make letters and patterns, then mends final line with a contrast colour. M found some crochet to interest her as well. Getting ready for the best event of the year for me as a seller. Sutton Bonington Famers Market, extended to a craft market in December. A captive audience of some 900 students on campus, plus staff, plus sregualr visitors. The sheepy handwarmers go down a storm, and I maek more money here than all the rest of my events a year put together. The venue is lovely, an octagonal shaped dining room with pointed ceiling - you could almost imagine it was an architectural college. The student gives us some Christmas carols, the vension man outside sells hot "reindeer" burgers. Only downside is having to re-park the car a good five minutes walk away after unloading. So I have been increasing my stock of handwarmers, still not having to buy any more Shetland this yeear - even my three shades of white lasting out (bleached, natural and oatmeal). This has been very much aided by my electronic scales, as I can now weigh accurately what is left on a cone. The yarn feeds much beetter off a cone than a wound ball, so I leave it on as far as possible. Besdies completing the rainbow of sheep, I have also made a half dozen pairs this year in small Shepherd'd Plaid pattern. I don't have to keep swapping the background colours over for this, so it is quicker, and fewer chances of mistakes or snarled up yarn. Christmas gifts are well underway as well. Lots of crocheted lavender bags, with flowers from the garden. A silly corcheted goose for Emily, baubles for all the Guildford kids, stocking for Erika from last years Shetland Heritage yarn. Pan scrubbies using left over "goose" cotton. Requested last month to make seven baubles to go with a long stocking Helen at the museum was making. Requestor, after seeing phtos, said they were not red enough, so made more, then the blighter decided she didn't want them after all. I could get very annoyed about this, but I just put tags on them all and Helen put them into museum shop stock (sold three straightaway). They were mostly machine made, I hung onto my laboriously handknit ones. Must see if I can make some on the circular machine, but I fear they will look very gathered top and bottom, liek Swedish Dumpling Dolls.

Dang, I missed October!

Well, we were a bit busy. Couple of weeks of sorting out the shed, the utility room and the kitchen. House to be re-wired, old kitchen units into utility room, brand new kitchen. What an upheaval. And the packing for the hols so we were out of the way. Came back day before my brithday - all done, but then had to move stuff the other way and clean up the plaster dust from the new ceiling which got everywhere in the house. There is still major painting to be done, which will start 1st December. Also, on the 7th, new grand-daughter, Emily. So the garden has taken a back seat. Increidbly warm here yesterday, evidently wartmest Hallowee'en since records began. Promised to be very cool next weekend. Planted some tulips in tubs, but not enough energy to sweep up the leaves.

September

I do seem to have neglected the blog this year. I am still knitting at the same rate, going to the museum at the same frequency. The year has really been marked by getting 'im indoors more mobile. Using carrots and sticks, I booked a holiday in our favourite place near Bergeac, and we are off soon. Managed to find a craft group meeting nearby and am going to talk to them (donlt have I hgreat luck!). With not much luggage allowance on the flight, it has to be small stuff, so will be a selection of Christmas decorations. Also while we are away, having the house re-wired and a new kitchen, thanks to final and very surprising,pension payout from my job. This is a major upheaval and can only be done while we are out of the house for my peace of mind and 'im indoors walking safety. It's worse than moving house - I can't just put stuff in boxes and heave it into a van. The job got more complicated when you know who dropped a mirror in the bath and had to have a whole new bathroom beacuse could not match colour of cream suite, even though it is not taht old. Knitting is the only thing that keeps me sane!

Spring marching In

Can't believe it is the 7th March and didn't write anything in Jan and Feb. We are nearly back to normal chez Mary. I am getting out to knitting events, 'im indoors has an alarm button round his neck to yank me back if necessary (it hasn't been, so far). Had a new student at the museum, and find myself altering the order in which I teach yet again. Also holding another Going Round in Circles event next weekend. Already done some work in the garden, the trellis behind the little apple tree was replaced (only two years after it needed doing). Professional job, which is what our life is going to be about from now on, very, very little DIY, and especially not electrics! I had to paint the trellis to tie it in with existing fencing. The shed got a new roof as well, which got a coat of the same paint. new paving stones between the shed and trellis, and it's as smart as can be. First rows of salad veg planted.