Sunday 28 February 2010

Knitting and Nature

My Mother has taken a fancy to a Kidsilk Haze scarf, which I made for myself last year. So, to keep the peace, a mist grey scarf is taking shape. The yarn is Patons Misty. The pattern is feather and fan, on 4.5mm needles. It is knitting up remarkably swiftly.

This lovely button is handmade ceramic, and was bought at Fiddlesticks, Honiton, to go on
this waistcoat, the yarn for which also comes from Fiddlesticks. The pattern came free! It was my big entry in the Ravelympics -Sweaterboard cross. I managed to complete yesterday, so have crossed the finish line.
I have been awaiting the first frogspawn in our pond, or one of the ditches , with increasing concern. I expected delay, obviously, with all the hard weather, but we have had a couple of weeks without frost. Today, a dramatic improvement. At least two dozen deposits of spawn, in several locations. Fresh Otter spraint ( first for a few weeks), the Bees have been out foraging in squadrons, and fresh Deer slots through the garden. Now I just need to spot some Newts.
Babur hates cold/wet/windy weather. He knows that he can depend on his humans to make sure the fire is banked up, and leave him comfortable.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Good! (I think)

I am taking part in the Winter Ravelympics, and I have a medal.....for frogging!


I have worked very hard on this sweater, but despite re-doing the sleeves three times, I cannot make it work. Mainly because I do not have enough yarn. By about 20g. I did not realise that the balls were 20g, not 25g, until I was doing the sleeves.Anyway, on the fourth attempt, I unravelled the lot.

Like that! Quite cathartic.
And I may frog my burnt red, kidsilk, Myrtle leaf Scarf, too! Well, I'll think about it.

Sunday 14 February 2010

With Love.....


To friends, family and readers. x

Tuesday 2 February 2010

...Spring

Imbolc. The first day of Spring. The day the Goddess returns to the Earth from her sojourn in the Otherworld.
Last year, the snowdrops were already out. Sheets of them, making pools of light beneath trees, in gardens and orchards. This year, I have found only a few. Mainly tiny green spears, with white just beginning to show on their tips. The seasons' growth has been held back considerably by the hard weather. Still, I am grateful for a few blossoms -thus I can greet the spring.