Friday 22 March 2024

Cottage Garden Hot Water Bottle Pattern (and Kit)

I have been busy designing a hot water bottle pattern, using the lovely soft Samite Silk Blend wool from Blacker Yarns, where I work. You can buy the pattern later today in my shops on Etsy, Ravelry and LoveKnitting when I have uploaded them. 

The pattern is designed for DK wool, and there are instructions for two sizes, and information on how to fairly easily adapt it for other sizes of hot water bottle. It also has charts for two flower designs - tulips or poppies.

If you want to buy the pattern and wool as a project kit this is available on the Blacker Yarns website. I think it would make a lovely gift for any knitter who wants to dip their toe into fair isle knitting. It is a fairly easy introduction, as you are only ever working with two yarns at once.


My husband has just told me it is not the time for hot water bottles, but I have pointed out to him that we are only one little bit of the world. I am sure there are places where it is cold. In an effort to save on the heating bill I have frequently sat hugging a hot water bottle this winter.

You can see in the background of the photos below The Lost Flock by Jane Cooper. This is a really interesting read about the history of Boreray sheep, as well as her own personal story of a move from the northeast of England to the Orkney Islands, where she became a sheep farmer with her own flock of this rare breed.


Tuesday 19 March 2024

Tamara Way - Stage 3 Part 2 Calstock to Gunnislake New Bridge

The next part of my walk with my son on the Tamara Way started at Calstock. It was a lovely day, although in places a bit muddy underfoot, but at least it felt like spring has finally come. Lots of primroses, wood anenome, dafodils and wild garlic in places - none of which I photographed.

The first part of the walk out of Calstock next to the flood plain was also lovely, with lots of water birds, which I also didn't photograph, so you will just have to believe me. We stopped at these lime kilns, at Okel Tor Quay, and then climbed the hill past Okel Tor Mine.


As we headed up the hill we saw a train going up to Gunnislake, and then a bit later, after crossing the line at the level crossing, we heard what we assumed was the same train coming down, although by then we were above the line and couldn't see it. Up the top of the hill we passed Calstock Church, and the site of a Roman fort. 

We then had a lovely walk through countryside, until we returned to the river. It was interesting to pass the Tamar Manure Canal, and then the weir, which we had not seen before as we are usually up on the main road. Finally made it to New Bridge, where my husband turned up with perfect timing to pick us up.


 

Friday 15 March 2024

BFF Cowl

I have been busy knitting the first part of the BFF Cowl. This is a two part pattern, and I have started with the first half of the pattern, designed by Tiny Owl Knits. I have to admit that I have been a little bit obsessed by Stephanie Dosen's designs for quite a few years: a wonderful mixture of wizardary and nature. 



I also really enjoyed knitting this cocoon stitch, which after the first few repeats was fairly easy. The only tricky part was the P5tog, but this end result was so satisfying to do that it was worth perservering with this.

This cowl was knitted some Merino DK from Blacker Yarns, where I work. This wool is super soft and lovely to work with. It came on a cone, although it can also be bought by skein, and in 4ply, Aran or lace weights. I have enough left to have a go at the second part of the pattern the Seedpod Cowl designed by Ysolda Teague, which also looks like it will be fun.


Friday 1 March 2024

Tartan Dressing Gown

Busy sewing a dressing gown again. It does seem that this is the only thing that I sew, but it does mean I have had very good value from this pattern.

 

But this time the pressure was on, as my daughter asked me to make a dressing gown for her friend, as a birthday gift. Both girls are studying fashion at Brighton, so I felt that I should do my best job. 

Actually having said that, with sewing I always try to do my best with each part, however long that takes, as in the end you have a better finished garment. It is one of the two things that worry me with "The Sewing Bee". Firstly have they neatened their seams? And secondly the thought of sewing with a time pressure would be horrendous. It will take as long as it takes. But anyway for this version I did most of the seams as French seams, handmade the binding, as well as a handsewing the hem. Oh dear, I do sound grumpy.


Here is me doing a part way try on, and below is the birthday girl in the finished garment. She looks happy!


Forgot to say that I bought the brushed cotton online from Dalston Mill, as I couldn't find the right thing locally, and was very pleased with it.

Saturday 24 February 2024

North Ronaldsay Wool

Did you know that North Ronaldsay sheep have a diet that is primarily seaweed? I learned that a few weeks ago, and so thought that a background of seaweed would be a nice way to photograph Blacker Yarns new North Ronaldsay wool. This is a lovely 100% pure wool. I am planning to buy some myself, for a new jumper for my husband, who is keen to have a Norweigan fisherman's jersey. I had better get a move on, as I can see orders flying in.

No trip to the Orkney Islands, but we set off to our nearest beach in Bude. I was down in the rockpools looking for a good seaweedy spot, when my husband pointed out that the frothy brown liquid that was all around us would not be a good look for the photos. Quite appalled that a beach in a town that relies on tourism and was teaming with people, it was half-term, could be in this state. Later that week I watched a tv programme Joe Lycett vs Sewage, and it seems this is problem everywhere.

So we hastily left, and decided to go to Duckpool Beach a little further north. We got to the turning, and there was a Flood Sign, "but that could have been there for ages", I said. A bit further down the lane we realised the road really was flooded, so we reversed back up the country lane.

Third attempt we went to Sandymouth Bay, and finally success. Beautiful clean beach, not many people, with lots of lovely seaweed on the rocks. Although a bit overexposed, I love this photo of the beach, as it gives the feel of the wind and the sun, and the space between the people.



 

Sunday 4 February 2024

Tamara Way - Stage Three - Part One

We have a bit of a gap since our last walk, but today my son and I walked another section of the Tamara Way. Our only excuse was we have been waiting for a day of nice weather. As you will see we didn't have it today, but it was only mizzling when we set off. We started at Bere Ferrers railway station, from which the route took us back to the Tamar River. At this point it is still wide estuary, with interesting reed beds and marshes, as will as historic mining works.

 
I was really hoping to see some of the avocets, that are sometimes seen here. These are the beautiful birds with the upcurving beak that are on the RSPB logo. No sign of them, but I was delighted, given where I work, to see some new born lambs.

We eventually arrived at Weir Quay, and were happy to find the cafe at the boatyard was open. I'm not really one for posting food photo, but the hot chocolate and warm cheese scone were very welcome, with a delightful view of a working boat yard. I really should have photographed that scone.

Shortly after our stop at the cafe my husband turned up. He had driven to the end of the walk, and we had planned this meet up. Pretty soon the River Tamar changes, from a wide estuary to a meandering river. What was nice was we were quite high above the river for much of this part of the walk with some lovely views.


 

Eventually, having passed Cotehele Quay on the Cornish side of the river, we arrived at Calstock, with its impressive railway bridge. From here it was a short but steep walk up the hill to Bere Alston station and the car. Having done about 8 miles, the bulk of this section, we are planning to not leave it quite so long before doing the next part.



Saturday 27 January 2024

Child's Foxy Jumper Pattern

I've been working on this childrens'  jumper pattern for quite a while. When I look back the first small version was knitted in August, so I realise I am not working at a very fast pace. But finally the pattern is complete and published on ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting. The photo below shows Age 1-2 years, and 2-3 years, and the pattern comes in two more sizes up to Age 7.

I really like the little fox border, although in the last week one of our lovely chickens has disappeared. I suspect perhaps a fox, my husband a stoat, and we have also wondered about a bird of prey. But there was no sign of feathers, so my neighbour, who also has chickens, says she may have got broody and be hiding, sitting on a nest of unfertilised eggs somewhere. That would be great, but I am not very hopeful. If it was a fox I know foxes just do what they have to do to live.

Apart from the fox border the jumper pattern is really quite simple. It is knitted in 4-ply, from the bottom up. It is seamed, and has raglan sleeves. The bottom and cuffs have a border of garter stitch, although this could be altered to rib if you prefer that, and the neck is a simple roll collar. You need a small amount of two additional colours for the foxes, and a tiny bit of black for their eyes and noses, which are embroidered on at the end.




 
I so love these little foxes I am thinking of knitting a bigger version for myself.