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.