End of the year

In contrast to that cold November post, December has been so warm it is silly. No log fires lit! The odd geranium still in flower, marguerites doing their third flower, delicate delphinium leaves up to a foot high, daffodils out near pal Bobbie's nursing home. Have machine knit a new blue cardi up to yoke level by Christmas Eve. Boxing Day I started on the handknit yoke. As the wool shop in the village closed for good at Christmas, my last purchase was buttons, although they are not all quite the same, so may get replaced if I ever get anywhere that sells them. My New Year Resolution has to be to finish all the half-done things in my workbaskets (plural). I don't count the cardi! 1. A stupid crocheted cotton headscarf, from a 100 year old pattern, does not have a very good edging. Got the main part finished last night. Have played about with two alternatives and only waiting until I see Margaret, my world's most expert crocheter, for her opinion as she has already done this scarf in wool. 2. The endless multi-coloured entrelac shawl - a good project for grabbing for a knit n natter group, don't need the pattern until I come to the turning ends. 3. Multi-coloured scarf that looks as if it is worked in layers of lace squares, then shifted one along. The other half of the yarn was used for same pattern given to a long lost friendship, so it tugs at me every time I knit it. 4. The Waiting Room Blanket. So easy to pop one square in my handbag for all those appointments. 5. Hand-spun Shetland hap shawl. Hmm. Need to do more spinning for it as well. 6. Blue and white tam in sock yarns. Won't suit me if I finish it anyway. 7. Crocheted coaster with rose on it. 8. Various ongoing socks, gloves and handwarmers to sew up and finish to replenish museum stock. 9. Line Christmas hamper with sheepy material meant for a baby dress and use for storage What I would like to start: Entrelac sheep Aldi sheep - but it's that nasty eyelash yarn Another owl jumper as I have such a huge ball of grey wool left after making E's cardigan. More Christmas baubles - I know it is silly, but can usually finish one in a day, and Margaret gave me such a HUGE stack of plastic playballs Plus there are a few favourited items on Ravelry that deserve re-visiting. Most of them complicated ... I counted up and had done 8 shows with either my wheel or my CSM last year. Sutton Bonington, usually the best, was disappointing financially, I blamed it on position of stall in a smaller room (slight change of venue, and a hell of a lot further to unload), plus the fact I had quite a lot of stuff in a bargain box and people were diving in that instead. Not one single pair of sheepy handwarmers, my raison d'etre, sold! As I had already just about decided to make it my last year, that put the lid on it. Long Eaton Machine Knit Show last year I was competing with Dennis (although I was publicising the museum rather than trying to make money). However, just yesterday heard that Dennis just had a big heart op, so he may not be there next time. If he goes, I won't. Calke Abbey Craft Event people retired. If no-one else takes that over, I shan't go there either. I was about ready to drop out of WSD, but latest newsletter shows slightly more interesting events. Plus the AGM has now moved from a Friday evening to a Saturday, which means more time for judging comp at the very least. So will probably join again, and see how the rest of the year goes. This leaves four yearly events - three for Long Whatton, and hopefully Winter Woollies again at Nanpantan, their sister farm. Think I am much happier when I don't expect to make money, and they are more local. Haven't really mentioned the museum at Ruddington - this is a given, or as Prince Charles would say "non-negotiable". I added up and have been able to give them £530 this year, apart from what has been raised by shop sales. Hurrah! Matt is trying to get me to go back on the frames, with a bit more training - they need to fill a gap on Fridays as Andy only goes in Wed and Thurs now, but I am hesitating. We'll see.

A need for WInter Woollies!

The month has slid from autumn to winter. Did the new Winter Woollies event last Sunday in Nanpantan. Although indoors, it was very, very cold, starting at 10 degrees and only rising to 12. I bought a couple of sock blanks from Babylonglegs' bargain basket. So pleased with them, I emialed to ask for more, which were even better colourwise, and are going to keep my busy onf the sock machine. Otherwise, gearing up for the major event of my year, Sutton Bonington Christmas Farmers Market. Goin to try for acouple of bargain boxes myself, although it may end up looking like a jumble sale. Just wish all the odds and sods knitted over the years would actually sell.

My cup of (F&M) tea

Our French twinning friend Dominque came to London this week, with latest feller and one grand-daughter each. We met up in St Pancras, with himself in a wheelchair - first time via train, and excellent customer service from East Midlands train staff. It was a beautiul day, the last good day of autumn. Lunch in the Betjeman Arms, then a walk round the new area of Kings Cross (via Platfrom 9 3/4 for the girls, Harry Potter fans). The 1,080 fountain jets fascinated us all. On then to a brand new Waitrose in the old Goods Yard, a beautiful blend of old and new. Back into Fortnum & Mason's in St P for Afternoon Tea. Ooh lal la! During this I gave the girls (11 and 13) a pair of my CSM handwarmers each, which were an instant success, and amusem Clander for the grown-ups. We had jsut finished tea when John, Chi'e and Erika jioned us. As usual, Erika was the star of the party and charmed the pants off everyone in three languages. We "reapired" to the Champagne Bar on the platform for another cosy hour discussing and drinking English "champagne" - evidently they have smaller bubbles - who knew? All in all, A Grand Day Out.

Thirty years on

30 years ago Keith and I had our first date. What a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then. Celebrated by spening the morning in the dentist as he has broken his top plate ...... Knitting goes apace. Have just designed tea cosies after a museum volunteer said there was a gap in the shop. Pricing remains a huge dilemma - worked out the Shetland wool cost £4.60 for the 36 grams it took. One hour's labour at £6.50, inclulding crocheting round the openings, washing and fulling. Designing and printing labels, etc. Asked half a dozen people at the musem on Saturday what they would pay - it varied from £4 to £12, so going to try them initially at £10. The other tea cosy there, in material with a couple of scaprs of triangels and buttons on it to represent birds, is on for £18.

Not very flaming June

Must be the coldest on record. Fed up of it. The hols were okay-ish - went up to 34 degrees one day but lower 20's most of the time. Went to the amazing simplypermaculture place near Eymet, wil go bak again next time. My flower garden doing okay, but veg not. First courgette plant just sat there and died. I know how it felt. Following my resolve never to do heels and toes on the CSM again, but detrmined tom ake some socks, I thought I would try tubes, but with rib to bring the width in, as over-wide feet were the other problem. Made a couple of ribbed tubes on the CSM, one at 5x1, one at 3x1, changing to half stocking stitch at heel level, waste yarn knit for that half row. First pair have standard afterthought heels and toes, which do not press neatly. Second pair has Danish band heel found in Nancy Bush's Folk Socks book. I looked in my own Heels booklet and found I had no mention of a band heel at all, either the German strap heel which has a gusset, or the Danish, which doesn't. The difference is that with the latter the heel turn decreases start before the chain sides are completed, so the stitch counts ends up the same. It means grafting 84 sts, but I donlt mind that. Very different.

Mayday

I fought the sock machine yesterday with some Red Heart American yarn. The machine won, I think, and I have resolved never to bother making socks again. I still like making the handwarmers, they sell well at the museum, and I will still try to find new designs for tubes but turning heels and toes - no! Tomorrow I am spinning at Calke Abbey. Weather, as usual for this event, is cold and windy. Think it will be the last year I turn out for it. The Shetland fleece I bought is having to be picked over, taking more hours than I am prepared to spend. Lots of cuchion stuffing there, very little decent wool. Forecast for France from 19th May at least looked dry and warm, if not toally sunny.

March of time

Mid-march already? Gearing up for two Lambing Days at Long Whatton. Had to buy in some fleee, and have acquired Shetalnd. Forgot how much it has to be carded, but this can be part of the demo as well. Have actually made a pair of socks on the CSM, first for several years. SOme teaching days at the msuem have been set up, and representing them at the Machine Knitting show in Long Eaton in April. Holiday booked later on - in fact planning ot go to France twice this year.

Helene enfin!

I had the great good fortune to get a last minute place on a knitting class with Helene Magnusson. After several years of correspndence over insoles, the scissors keeper and the Giant's Footstep Cushion, we met in London at last, and it was lovely. The class of seven, in Loop's basement, studied Icelandic steeks. They ony have two stitches and are finished by sewing machine. Learnt SO much more than this in the three hours. How to make a swatch in the round without having all the loops at the back - you have them at the side instead by calculating how much yarn to pull out for your next row. At the end of the swatch she made us cut that left edge then try to unravel it! Proves it doesn't. Prior to this, had an excellent veggie lunch in the Gate in Islington with J, C and E. What a smashing day all round. Oh, and saw a man walking by DOlphin Square with a green parrot on his shoulder!