Causing a commotion
I haven’t picked up my needles since before Christmas. No doubt the stress from all those deadlines for Christmas tree decorations and gifts has caught up with me. How to recover my enthusiasm? First, order a library book, full of project ideas. A bit disappointing to find that I am already currently borrowing this book from another library – the same book with a different front cover. I…
The task of knitting Christmas started in September. It began, as usual, with a perusal of Christmases past. The Teabag bookmark had satisfied my office colleagues a few years ago. It was brooches another year – flowers, a leaf with a ladybird in situ, pencils for the Clerk to Governors, a bunch of lavender fronds for the gardener. Key rings the next. So, what now? Whatever it was, it had to be…
In case you didn’t know, every new homeowner should be gifted a set of coordinating napkins and napkin holders. The only question – do the napkins match and the napkins holders differ, so everyone recognises their napkin by the holder, or vice versa? Each to their own, but when I saw this pack of fat quarters my mind was made up. It was an easy decision to use navy blue for the the napkin ring to…
I joined a health club last year and have managed very well with my expensive but necessary Brooks Ghost trainers (wide fit), two pairs of leggings and two sports tops. They served me well until mid-summer when I bought and enjoyed the benefit of a pink/black two-vest combo (in a sale) throughout the heatwaves. I felt very up-to-the minute and although I’ve seen only one other person regularly in…
The usual Christmas knitting frenzy looked like it would be toned down before it started this year. With one recipient not being visited until January, two recipients struck off the list as they never acknowledge what they receive and another having their knitted offering postponed until their birthday due to a perfect bought present, this meant that I could relax and just ‘quickly’ knit 4 simple…
A heavenly combination. It was a hot Fathers’ Day Sunday, and the restaurants, cafes and bars were filling up, feeding tourists and locals alike. I liked the look of Fuckoffee, but I wanted more than caffeine. I loved the intimate Casse-Croute but I wasn’t in the mood for French. I wanted down-to-earth Cockney fare and Manze’s was just a little further on Tower Bridge Road. Picture the scene…tiled…
It started as an idea for a birthday present, way back at the start of 2022. The birthday in question was in August. Plenty of time. But the summer was sweltering and knitting was a long way from my mind. No casting on with sweaty fingers for me. September or October would provide plenty of opportunity to knit during the autumn evenings in France. The idea of posting the pizza abroad from France…
One of the toddlers on my list for knitted presents loves vehicles but I found a pattern for a double decker bus too late during this Christmas Knitting Frenzy of 2022 – I’d already plumped for two boats and a light house. The pattern is from 100 Little Knitted Projects by Sarah Keen and I have seen at least another 20 projects I’d like to make, from a lollipop and an ice lolly (I love knitted…
One lovely young lady was the exception to my ‘knitted gifts only’ rule during the Christmas Knitting Frenzy of 2022. What to make for a (nearly) 4 year old? Did I mention I’d left this year’s knitted present planning to the last minute? Of course, I couldn’t let her miss out. I’d already bought and wrapped a Build-a-Ladybird game so…I had three days…I made her a ladybird… I’d found this pattern…
This has been one frenetic spell of knitting, knitting, knitting. The standard I set myself when babies began being born in my extended family and friends’ circle – to knit individual, unique gifts rather than buy something off the shelf – has presented some deadlines requiring proportionate levels of discipline and effort. This year has been off the scale with 2 babies and 3 toddlers to knit for,…