Feeling chilly

  I think summers over, not that we've had much of a summer here. There has been a chill in the air the last couple of days that makes me think of winter and the need to get ready. Also makes me think of Christmas and the fact I better pull my finger out and get knitting presents. I've been looking at yarn over the weekend, I have already decided on a scarf again for my sister and have a pattern in mind too. I can't decide on a colour, I've never been very good with colours. The pattern for the scarf is a cable pattern that works on either side of the scarf, I want to add pockets as well.

  My other sisters scarf is already knitted from last year and I have the yarn to finish it off with the five fold cable pockets. I could make a start on that this week while waiting for the yarn for the other scarf, once I decide on a colour. My other sister and mum I haven't decided on yet, haven't given it any thought so far but might weave something, bags, purses, glasses cases??? I have time, no rush yet.


   I've taken care of eight mice and had thought that was the last of them as the bait has been left alone but last night I could hear one scrabbling around behind the skirting board making a heck of a din. With luck the poison will be here tomorrow and I can put a stop to them once and for all.

  Hope you all had a good weekend, have a great day and take care folks.

Taking it easy

   Hope you all had a great Christmas.

  I managed to finish the bakers boy hat in time, even had time to wrap it. I'm still working on the moss/seed stitch scarf,at a much slower pace. I think it will be ready before the new year, unless I have to redo the pockets.

  My other sister who got the double basket weave pocket scarf absolutely loved it, she wore it all day with her hands in the pockets. Its always extra nice when someone genuinely loves your work. The bakers boy hat and winter flame scarf went over very well but think the double basket weave scarf was the most enjoyed.

  Time to take things a little easier for awhile, still have the moss/seed stitch scarf to do and I want to make a start on spinning the Falkland roving I got before Christmas. I also want to buy some washed fleece so I can have a go on the drum carder. I'll wait until spring before I buy a full raw fleece. Don't fancy washing and drying a fleece in this weather.

  Talking of weather, its thawing and raining/sleeting a little. If it freezes tonight getting around tomorrow is going to be very tricky. No fun at all, well the dog will enjoy it.

  Hope you all have a good day.

Merry Christmas

   Got the winter flame scarf weaved in and blocked now. It was a bit of a pain to block, normally I just flatten the knitting out and put a towel over the top while it dries. This time I had to pin all the waves first then put the towel on top to weight it down. That and its long which also makes it a little more tricky.

  Gave up on trying to get the moss/seed stitch cable pocket scarf finished in time. So I'm attempting to get a bakers boy hat completed in time for Christmas instead. Yes it is Christmas eve, yes I am a little nuts. Its possible for a quick knitter to do the hat in 6 hours, I'm not a quick knitter and even if I was I don't think I have 6 hours of spare time. I'm still going through with it though, never say die and all that. Its the English in me, we will not be defeated.

  Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, take care.

Finished one.

   The winter flame scarf is finished. Well, its knitted it just needs weaving in and blocking and then I can wrap it for Christmas. If it dries in time. I'll take some pictures if I have time and the batts. charge.

  The moss/seed stitch cable pocket scarf isn't going to be done in time I'm afraid. Even if I could get it knitted and sewn up, it still needs a good wash. I can't give the scarf as a present and say "you'd best wash that before wearing it". 
  I'm going to keep at it and see what happens but I very much doubt it will be fully finished. I'd like to say I learned a lesson and will start earlier next year but I haven't, its the same every year. I'm happy this year that any presents that needed to be bought where bought pretty early for me, most years I do the shopping on Christmas eve.

   I still need to wrap stuff up, I hate wrapping presents. I can turn squares in to scruffy circles with my wrapping. I still need to weave in the other two scarfs aswell.

  I best jump to it, have a good day folks.

An extra day.

   Its strange how -3c can feel warm but it does. The official temperature for Sunday night/Monday morning was -17c just up the road from me, which is cold.

  I don't know why but I had it in my head that Christmas day was on Friday, so that gives me a little more time to knit the scarfs. I need to weave in two other scarfs but they don't need blocking. The flame scarf is in serious need of blocking, when its finished. The moss/seed stitch scarf probably doesn't need blocking but am not sure because of the pockets. One thing it does really really need is a wash. Its a lovely white colour but I don't think I'll ever knit in white again, it looks like I tied it to the dogs tail and let him run around the yard on a rainy day.

  Sorry for the short posts but I really need to get the knitting finished, normal posts will resume after Christmas. Stay warm and take care folks.

Pan handled.

   Just gave some guy enough for taxi fare. I'm usually a grade A cynic and its not that I believed his story, even though it wasn't as far fetched and heart wrenching as some of the bovine scat I've heard before. Maybe its the time of year and I haven't donated as much as I should to charity this year, all in all its only cost me a few beers and I hope he enjoys it how ever he spends it. Who knows maybe he was telling the truth. I did make sure I wasn't followed home, its hard to shake the cynical nature.

  The knitting is coming along, I've knit 2 feet of the flame scarf so far and am starting to think maybe it is possible to get it finished in time. Problem now is I look at the moss/seed stitch scarf and worry about getting that finished in time. The moss/seed stitch scarf is an easy knit but still takes time and I've only got around 6" done so far.

  Oh well back to the grinder, hope you all have a good Friday, keep warm and stay safe.

Christmas came early this year.

For me. 

   The asford drum carder arrived today, wish I had more time to play with it but I really need to get on with the flame scarf. I'm starting to think it will not be possible to get the scarf finished in time. I'll not give up, keep pushing myself hard with it and hope life doesn't intrude too much. Or that my neck doesn't crick permanently. I say it every year and never do it but next year I will start the Christmas presents earlier.

  That's all for today, I need to knit, knit, knit. Stay warm and take care folks.