May be Christmas?

It's only the third of May - why am I thinking about Christmas already? Well, I bought a Christmas advent panel. 24 little pockets to fill and have delivered before 1st December. In reality, before mid-November, my usual trip to London for the Knitting History Forum, so it's only six months. The basic calendar has been put together - but oh, those pockets are so tiny! It's going to be quite a challenge to find items small enough. I am cheating on some red and white items, but reversing the colours. They've also got to be recognisable - some patterns are so tiny they are just blobs. Off on usual French holidays soon - whether I do any Christmas knitting there is doubtful. I have got the patchwork dog to take to the Club, to keep in with their theme. The weather here the last week has been cold enough for snow - and we got it. Better improve over there!

Marching past March

I'm not a very frequent blogger, am I? At the end of March the "Season" started with a typically freezing cold Lambing Day. It seemed quiet to me, as I was tucked away under the Granary, and most people seemed to ignore my There were a few "returners" from previous years though. April started with Machine Knitting Show, with the ever faithful Margaret. We had a steady stream of people chatting to us, very enjoyable. One lady was inspired enough to bid of a circular machine on eBay, all the way from Canada. A couple of weeks later she happened to pop in the museum when I was on shop duty - such a happy coincidence. I will be giving her lessons later in the year. The same day, we had a visitor all the way from Phoenix in the States, whose ancestors made silk gloves in Borrowash, a village about 10 miles from me. Lots of lovely stories, including a photo of a Sampler made by one of his x times great grannies in 1823. It's going to be a quieter season this year, having decided only to do four shows or events, other than usual stuff at the museum. Just don't seem to have the same energy, and unwilling to drive a lot God job, as a silly shoulder pain has been going on since I put the Christmas dekkies away in the attic - obviously overstretched myself. For this reason, and the creaking knees, have set on a gardener. I think we still have to "shake down" together. She seems slow, but thorough. Perhaps I am being impatient and expecting miracles from someone younger and fitter.

Leap into the year

How did I miss January? Just come back from a perfect weekend with my grandchildren. It takes four hours door-to-door to Guildford, but is well worth it. The house extension is going well, with a brilliant new vaulted bedroom for A and L. Not tv makeover standard stupid, but beautiful and liveable with. Lunch was in the Weyside Inn overlooking the river, all the kids behaved themselves, very pleasant. After tea I went back to London. lasagne in the flat with Pol Roger followed by violet liqueur, vermouth, and a 100-year old Madeira which was totally not to my taste, but an experience nevertheless. Next morning interesting conversation with three and a half year old E. Night before she had requested her bedtime book was read in the original French, then morning was English and some Japanese counting and animal naming. Then long cold walk to a play scheme and outdoor park, another pub lunch. Bookshop to buy ancient enlarged maps of the area for J's birthday, plus their local and very well stocked garden centre - got interesting purple lettuce seeds. J was tempted with an olive tree, but is going to wait until after their hols. Even though London is supposed to be a bit warmer, there was a bitter cold wind, can't believe the tree would survive without protection. Somehow it took 3 hours to get home - really could leave the flat later for the bus to St P, as I was there 30 mins before scheduled departure. Do my legs ache today?

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.