Meet Flora

Flora is a Highland Coo made by Kath at Moka Pottery. I have wanted one of these for ages, as not only do I think they are clever (Flora's head comes of and she is a container) but they make me smile.

M and Kath did a pottery swap for one of orbs of desire and this was what M asked for in return. I am very happy to give Flora a home. She is sitting on my work table and is there to inspire me.

Gallimaufry

A Gallimaufry is a hodge podge or a medley of things and this beautiful free pattern from designer Jan Eaton is a wonderful flowing medley of lace. The pattern can be downloaded from Ravelry and is an interesting knit. Not too difficult but not dull either, plus the charts are clear and the instructions are well written.

I used a yarn from The Uncommon Thread who specialise in luxury yarns which they hand dye to a wonderful spectrum of deep and luscious colours. This one is their BFL Sock which is soft but with a wonderful lustre and the colour is one of my favourites called Bassenthwaite. I used about 128g in total so needed two 100g skeins but the leftovers will not be wasted.


I did knit mine on a smaller needle because I wanted more of a long wide scarf effect than a wrap. I am so happy with the result.

 

 

 

Less reading than usual

My reading pace has slowed down as I am finding it hard, at the moment, to find stuff I can get in to. Every book I pick up, I start, get a little way into and then think 'Nah' and move onto another book,

Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Format - Kindle

As with 'Wolf Hall' this took me a while to get into. I don't know why I find her writing style needs me to adjust my reading style but it does. Allowing for that, this follow up didn't disappoint on any level. It deals with a period of history and the characters therein that endlessly fascinate me. I love the levels of the story telling and the insight to Cromwell away from court life. I enjoy that a lot of the characters are more minor ones and that Henry and Anne are not holding centre stage throughout the book. I particularly liked the interview with Mark Smeaton and his 'torture'. Clever and compelling.
Await her next with interest and anticipation.

Curricle and Chase by Lizzie Church
Format - Kindle

This was recommended to me by a friend and I have to say it is not my kind of book at all, it is a very romantic book in every sense. A bit of Heyer meets Austen with a smattering of Cartland, but I did enjoy it. It had a nice pace, good characters and was a quick, kind of fun read. It entertained and amused me in a gentle way that didn't tax my brain. I would read this author again to see if it was a fluke or the result of brain fatigue.

The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer
Format - Audio book (Librivox)

After reading the above, I realised I had never read any Heyer - the only one in the public domain is the above so I decided to listen to it. It was all that I expected and yes I did smirk a few times but that isn't to say I wasn't entertained by it. It had a ridiculous but also endearing quality and although I had worked out the plot by the second chapter, I still wanted to listen to it to the end. I did enjoy it. Not sure I would revisit it though.

Dr Thorne by Anthony Trollope
Format - Audiobook (Librivox)

I am slowly revisiting all the Barchester books this year. Dr Thorne is one of my favourites I love the meeting in a small town world of Scratcherd and the Gresham/DeCourcy factions. It is clever and for me compelling. The narrator is really good and as he sounds like an older gentleman I imagine it is Trollope himself reading his tale to me. I know a lot of people find Trollope dull and long winded but he is an author you need to give a little time to. He starts most tales with a few (duller) chapters of scene/character setting but once you get past them the rewards are worth it. With his sharp eye for details and mild derision his stories are a delight.


That's it for now. Not that many. I hope to rediscover my reading mojo soon.

Miss Florence Bunnington-Smythe

I don't know why, but I knit a bunny. Am pleased with her, she is rather cute.

Pattern is Bunty Bunny by Debi Birkin Designs - available via Ravelry.

Complete with tail.