…the Walrus said,”To talk of many things:

Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–

Of cabbages–and kings–

(the Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll)

This is blog is of many things: of squares–and swaps–and UFO’s, of crocuses–and cats–

 

So, non-knitting content first -

Snow

 Some more photos of the snow yesterday. It only lasted until about 9.00 before it melted away so all the photos are in the dark before the sun came up properly.

 

These were taken at 7.30 – sunrise is about 7.45 at the moment so just pre-dawn light with a close up on my fairy, Titania, who is staring at the snow in her cupped hands.

 

These were taken just 15 minutes later at 7.45 – just about sunrise. Simpson is looking out disgustedly and deciding he’s staying in the warm.

Crocuses

And a day later – just to show the amazing nature of English weather this is my garden today,

 

how’s this for a Springtime shot? These crocuses are in the pot containing one of my acers which yesterday had 3 cms of snow over it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the primroses are out as well

 

 

 

and the hellebore – Christmas Rose – which my friend bought me for Christmas.

 

 

 

So, enough gardening - on to the knitting content

UFO update  

Of the 27 (yes Twenty-Seven!!!) UFO’s I dug-out and listed at the weekend there are still 26 unfinished. However I have been working on two of them.

Chrissy – All Seasons Cotton jumper – is in my current knitting project bag and I have knit to within 10 rows of the shoulder shaping on the front so quite a lot of progress there

Echo – striped Rowan Tweed/Kid Classic jumper – as this has lots of stripes there are hundreds of ends to weave in where the yarn couldn’t be carried up the side. I spent yesterday evening weaving in ends and completed all the ends on the front! just the back and two sleeves to go…..

Afghan Squares Swap

I have knit another two squares from which to pick my 4 to send for the Crazy Afghan Squares swap

 

This one is Jaegar Matchmaker Merino in a bright pink colour on 4mm needles. The stitch is a “knot stitch” pattern. Very easy ; row 1 – p1 (k1tbl p1) to end; row 2 – k

Looks quite good

 

 

and this one is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on 4mm needles. A trianglur texture pattern which is quite effective – and looks good both sides actually.

 

Here is Simpson helping me with the blocking out

because, as anyone who lives with a cat will know, nothing ever happens in his house that doesn’t concern him!

Another swap

Finally – yet another swap. I have signed up for loads recently..I love getting parcels in the post

This is a Magic Yarn Ball and it’s my first go, here are some of the things I’ve been gathering together to wrap up in the yarn ball – and the RYC Lux I’m thinking of using.

The sign-ups close on 31st January so – still time to sign-up if you fancy joining us (Europe only I’m afraid) its on swap-bot here