Look at this....

I had my Christmas present from Isabel in November. It was a willow basket workshop.Whoo Hoo! We went together to a Wildlife Trust nature reserve near Newark where lots of willow grows. We cut lots of willow and then were told to use the withies provided by the leader cos ours weren't long (they meant good) enough. Well we had a fabulous day. We had wrapped up warmly but had to take off a few layers as it was a lovely day and here is the result;



Yes, it's a proper basket with a handle and everything!

Well I never!

ever since I started using this laptop instead of the big computor which is slightly unwell I have assumed I would have to do something tricky to post pictures WRONG! I just attached the camera and it did it by itself. Who knew??? This means I have not recorded any knitting for ages and have given most things away being socks for Rosemary and mitts for Isabel. Oh well at least I know I am back functioning again and so all I need to do is remember to take the pix.
What prompted the picture loading was receiving a box of Christmasness from bluenail in Canada for the ravelry Christmas Swap.


See all that lovely yarn and all that yummy chocolate. There is also a bag of interesting coffee beans, a gingerbread man cutter with a suitable recipe a decotation ot put on the tree and a present to put under it. (I haven't opened it Honestly) A handmade item was part of the swap and here are the mitts bluenail made for me.

New Knitter on the block

Here is Millie when she was about 3 years old, trying on a new waistcoat. She is now 6 and wants to learn to knit.Last night the penny dropped and she took off with her little kitten head needles flying and some pink wool turning ito goodness knows what. She says we can now be knitting buddies and I have to get her a knitting book and buy her some more wool for Christmas.

I'm still here!

I was reminded by Janiannie that I have not posted for absolutely ages. She is quite right but her last one was June 25th so I think she should practice what she preaches!! My excuse has been that I have been spending a lot of time helping Rosemary cope with 2 broken arms but she is now out of plaster and back at work so that excuse is no longer valid! The next excuse valid for one week only was an excursion to Norfolk for me him and the dog. We stayed in a cottage in Syderstone near the beautiful north coast and the weather was fine enough for several visits to various beaches which was very restorative. We visited the Woad Centre which was very interesting. Ian is such an enthusiast. I had got it mixed up with indigo but managed not to embarrass myself by going on about the properties of a completely different plant. I visited Knit Wits in Dereham and bought some grey tweedy yarn for a cardigan in the current Designer Knits.
Friday being the day of the Macmillan Cancer Carity biggest coffee morning Janiannie and I went to Nottingham John Lewis where Clare the Rowan design consultant is organising a blanket from squares which we were all knitting. I have managed to do four in total. Not, of course on the morning but before and since.

A parcel arrives

Tonight I arrived home exhausted after 2 days of trauma with Rosemary who had a really bad accident on her cycle, no other vehicle was involved, just tram tracks, to find a package arrived from America. My Secret Pal has sent the Nora Gaughan booklet I wanted and love along with some wonderful Alpaca and Cotton yarn in a beautiful blue along with a pack of chocolates with caramel. Photographs have been taken and I promise, promise, promise as soon as I am less tired I will sort out getting them on here, promise.

Stockport

Well yes, the front was done and then the back, then I unknit most of the front and redid it. I have started the neckband but I am saving it to take to the Rowan coffee morning at John Lewis next Saturday. I have finished another pair of socks and carried on with the simplest cardigan in the world aka Windsor. It was plain before I started it but I even forgot to divide for the pockets and couldn't be bothered to tink it so it is even plainer. Has anyone noticed a certain dearth of photies? No? Good. Well it's because I am using a laptop and have not yet sorted photo adding.
Today i have been mostly wrestling with brambles at the bottom of the garden. At least I didn't find an enchanted castle....just a frog. The plan is to grow vegetables in that area but first the hard work as it is rather overgrown.

Just one week later

Last Sunday I wrote that I wanted to knit Stockport (you need to scroll way down and you still won't be able to see it because of the arty photograph) from the new Rowan magazine but needed to acquire 6 balls of Cocoon. Done it! Six of Mist a lovely soft blue snaffled from ebay. It arrived so quickly and is knitting up just as fast. The front is already done. Yay!