Saturday, December 28, 2013

New toy

Treated myself to a new DSLR camera. Been playing with it.

I think I like it.
Don't think Fergus is impressed much.

And Conkers doesn't give a hoot.



Monday, December 23, 2013

More!

The voices were whispering, quiet at first, then distinct and clear. "You need more!" They said, over and over again. More? More? How could she possibly need more? Sighing deeply, she visibly drooped. Her head hung forward closer to her chest, and she shut her eyes, if only she could shut her ears and her mind, she thought.

She tried to distract herself. She had a hundred and one things to do, being busy would quiet the voices. "More" they whispered, "Still more and more, you haven't enough," they persisted, "it will be a disaster unless you have more." And finally, "You WILL fail!" She couldn't stand it any longer, she put down her duster, turned off the radio and went to get her coat and bag.

The streets were teeming with humanity, with every kind of life. She was buffeted and jostled at every turn. It appeared that the whole world and his dog needed to be out of doors today. The winter sun did nothing to lift the temperature and the wind had a bite to it that made her wish she had remembered to grab a hat. Her ears stung with cold. She dodged another pensioner and her shopping trolley, put her head down and marched through the crowds, trying not to hear them, smell them, or make eye contact. She did not want to speak to anyone.

The voices were still there, muted by the sounds around her, traffic had its uses, but she was still aware of their mutterings. "More!"

She was hungry. She was tired and she was worn down by the persistent fear of tomorrow and of failing. Desmond would never forgive her if it went wrong in any way. He was such a perfectionist. She spent her days trying to reach and maintain his exacting standards, and she didn't often succeed. Tomorrow was different, she knew what she was capable of and she had no reason to believe that she would fail, well, until the voices started. "More and more and more!" They chanted on.

She pushed her way through the throng of people by the door of the shop, there were people milling about, people shaking charity buckets, people looking lost and others looking annoyed. The change in temperature made her blink and her nose began to run. She sniffed whilst forlornly looking for a tissue in her pocket, something else she had forgotten to pick up. She looked around, there were people everywhere, packed in like sardines and the aisles heaved with bodies. She started to turn toward the exit, "MORE!" Screamed the voices, "not enough," followed by a harsh roaring of the word "FAILURE!" She sighed again, squared her shoulders, picked up a basket and joined the throng of Christmas Eve shoppers.

Fish Fingers

Spillyjane Swedish Fish pattern - with some mods. Knit in The Uncommon Thread's merino fingering in Cobble and some hand spun singles from a batt I got a Woolfest a few years back - from The Felt Studio.

Last pair of Xmas sockies all finished - all ready to be wrapped and placed in a stocking. Oh the irony.

This might be the last knitting post of 2013, unless I finally finish my Conic over the holidays!

Thursday, December 05, 2013

There has been knitting.

A hat for me. Pattern is Ahull by Alicia Plummer knitted in The Uncommon Thread's Merino Fingering yarn in the colourway Cobble. This is the perfect hat for me - light but cosy, with a lovely slouch to it. I wear it most days (it is cold a work).

Socks for M - this is one pair of three - two pairs made, one pair still on the needles. He wears hand knit socks everyday and some are looking a little tired so perfect time of year to replenish his sock drawer and fill his Xmas stocking. (Pattern is my own plain vanilla sock over 64 sts with after thought heel.)

Steptoe Miser Mitts (own pattern) J had been asking for a pair of these for ages, as I hate knitting fingers, I put him off, but he then asked for a pair for his Xmas stocking....couldn't really say no. Knitted in Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift (which I bought whilst on Shetland in Lerwick years ago), he wanted a mismatched pair. I have a hat to make for him too in similar colours in Bessie May Nettle - see photo below for Mike's version.

Not the best picture - kind of a weird selfie. But you get the idea. Again another pattern that I just made up as I went along - pretty basic beanie over 90 sts.

I do a have a project on the needles for me - but it has been put aside for Xmas knitting and I have a crochet project too. I have been asked to make a small throw for a charity raffle next Spring to raise funds for Border Terrier Welfare...again couldn't say no.

All caught up with knitting projects. Phew!