Toby's Christmas Jumper

I couldn't resist knitting this for Toby, our son's West Highland Terrier, it's a pattern from garnstudio.

He's a great character and best friends with our labrador, Jax. I have just started some socks for myself with Regia silk, very soft yarn which is delightful to work with.

Cheltenham Racecourse - Morning Mist

Had a few days at the campsite at Cheltenham Racecourse, bright sunny days and frosty mornings. The site is very well placed at the top of the town, near the park and ride and a pleasant walk into town. Lots of good places to eat and shop in Cheltenham.

Aunt Dana's Russian Boots by Janet Armstrong

These super slipper boots are from Knitters Calendar for March 7, from Janet Armstrong being the boots that her husband's aunt used to knit. I used some odds and ends of handspun that had been lurking in the handspun basket, they were quick and simple to knit and very comfortable to wear, toes should be warm and toasty this winter

Indigo Shoulder Shawl aka Pigs in Blankets

The mohair yarn I spun, which wanted to be dyed indigo, have now turned into the "Just Right Shawl aka Cozy Capelet" by Lynn Meacham from Knitters Calendar for April 18. It does indeed sit nicely on the shoulders, giving warmth across the back and I found a vintage button in my stash to fasten it with. This is a simple to knit but really useful pattern, excellent for using up those odds and ends of yarn in the stash. I'm sure I will knit it again, I used the three skeins I had dyed, and the final result measures 40" across and 18" deep to the point, knitted on 8mm addi's.

Knitted Blanket

I had a bag of nine balls of a cotton and linen mix yarn to use up - searching for inspiration I found it in the EZ book The Knitters Almanac - this is the Mystery Blanket Square - just one square knitted on 4.5mm addi's and finished with a picot edging. I just added the odd row of purl stitch to give a little texture - I'm quite pleased with the finished result, and one bag of yarn less in the stash, or at least it leaves room for some more!!

Cornwall Summer School

A wonderful week in Cornwall at Tremough Campus, Near Falmouth. where several hundred members of the Association of Weavers Dyers and Spiners were engaged in a week of Summer School courses, there was a huge variety of choice but I settled for "Dyeing the Blues" with Vivien Prideaux (above) and learned about the art of indigo dyeing.
The Kent Guild Displaying some of the results of their efforts!


A magical evening at the Minack Theatre to watch Pier Gynt, the weather was calm and mild and the sea and sky had amazing colours. The theatre was built in 1932, the first play shown was The Tempest, which is being shown again this year as it's the 75th anniversary of the theatre.

Adult Surprise Jacket - Many Thanks

Many thanks to Yarn Harlot and everyone for all the kind comments on the Adult Surprise Jacket, I really enjoyed the work I put into this, it took longer to prepare dye and spin the Wensleydale fleece than to knit the jacket. I hope to do another one in a blue/coffee/aqua combination but this time I would make the stripes narrow and closer in colour.