Thursday: Day 92

Mmm, left the blog a bit of a while, kept meaning to update, no good reason why not, time just drifts by whilst still staying home still. Have some photos to show you and can chat about them, all very domestic.

May was glorious, sun tanning weather, drying outside weather and washing items that don’t need a weekly wash hence the crochet blankets billowing on the whirly. Yes, that is the Attic24 Sweet Pea blanket, the other two belong to the grandchildren. Both were meant to use up odds and ends of Double Knitting, make it up as you go along design and colours but the grandchildren know they are theirs. One day they will be able to come here again and hug, cuddle and laugh with us. 

On the patio -when did terraces become patios - are Ian’s potted up seedlings plus pots of herbs, roses, geraniums, mostly plants that like afternoon and evening sunshine, the Dutch blind shading the kitchen is left down then otherwise the room is uncomfortably hot. Our original plans for this Summer have been scuppered, we intended to replace the Dutch blind and install an awning over the French doors to give shade and privacy, the corner is a lovely sun trap. Our wooden garden table required some urgent surgery, it will now be replaced next year along with new cushions for our two benches. 

Why was the weather glorious when most people were to stay indoors or in their gardens if they had one, now parks, gardens and meeting up are permitted the weather is cold, windy and wet? It is as if May and June have swapped places. 

As I may have mentioned I’m knitting a second pair of Tramline socks, this is the second attempt of these toe up I’m being very careful but not enough as I didn’t count the stitches whilst knitting the instep, could justify not doing so as there is no increasing, on checking one short nearly two inches down. I had carefully knitted both socks simultaneously, two rounds at a time with a knot in the tail of sock 1 and a five bar gate to count so didn’t want to undo all those tiny stitches and risk not making identical sized socks. Usual solution is to use a crochet hook, 2mm hook was way too thick so ended up “knitting” with two pins. 

Not sure why last picture is so small, only one I have showing the pins with which I picked up the drop stitch. As I am not out and about there is no need for a portable project, instead I am working just on these socks, once completed I shall return to working the Moorland blanket. When we FaceTime our grandchildren Edward asks “how much has Mummy’s blanket grown?” It hasn’t. 

Cushions, crochet and other thoughts.

One reason I do not go to yarn shows like Unravel, Wonderwool is because there is so much yarn in my stash, because I have plenty of projects on which I’m working, like two Attic24 blankets, a second pair of  Tramlines socks by Maria Higgs, and so far two new crochet cushion covers using Rowan big wool and 7mm crochet hook.  Crochet eats up yarn, especially Big Yarn that is just what I need to clear my stash with the intention of just buying yarn for the next project.

These cushions are for our kitchen chairs to replace some purchased through eBay chosen for their swan silhouette design, the fabric has worn, different colours and designs have been used for the crochet covers, linked by use of treble stitch each time, the design is governed by colours of yarn available. The blue cushion fits the kitchen colour scheme - so what - for the golden one and others yet to be made rogue colours add some fun. The starting chain was about 70 stitches.

So what else has been happening at Pixie Towers? Marmalade making, about 20lbs of oranges have been purchased, 5 batches have been made so far,  maybe one or two batches to finish for this year depending on quantities of lemons added.  This year I’ve made the marmalade thicker, not so runny more set. As we made many jars of damson jam last summer more jars were required for marmalade, we cleared Staines branch of Hobbycraft out of these jars. These have ounce markings in the glass, 12 oz at the top although they will hold a greater amount than this.

Must add, we’ve started digging into this jar, I did fill it right to the top, tastes even better when spread on bread made by Ian.