frayed at the edge

It's good to walk

This morning I had a potter along Hawick High Street.  First stop was the bank to pay a bill, but after that things improved!  A quick trip into WH Smith to buy the papers and this month's Sew Hip magazine, then on to the Shelter charity shop, where something was calling to me as I went in the door - buy me, buy me

 

nineteen balls at 50p each - how could I resist!

 

lovely colours and textures, with a little glint of silver - I think this could be a throw.

After a quick stop for a cuppa (I resisted the scones - with difficulty!) the last stop was at Morrisons for a bit of shopping.  Hooray, the first British strawberries have arrived

 

They look, smell and, most importantly, taste absolutely fabulous, with a lovely texture.  Compare them with these ones at the Sunday market in Pollensa

 

these ones might win a prize for the biggest strawberries ever, but they don't have a lot of flavour and even when they appear very ripe, they are still quite hard.  Home grown is definitely best!

After an enjoyable lunch of homemade leek and potato soup and toast, we headed off to Harestanes for a walk.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as our last walk there on Easter Sunday, but it was nice to get out in the fresh air (instead of doing the ironing!).  Last time, the bluebells were just starting to flower, but now they are starting to go over.  However, the carpet of blue under the trees is lovely

  

The smell from the wild garlic was quite strong in the rain, and the flower shone white against the wet leaves

 

Malcolm had to keep stopping for me to catch up, as I was sidetracked by another photo opportunity - like this tiny purple flower (it's about the size of a shirt button!)

 

suddenly, we came to the end of the woods and came out on to the road, to see this wonderful view

 

as we turned round to retrace our steps, I had to take this photo - there is just something appealing about old fence posts and walls (or am I just weird?)

 

on the way back, we had a slight detour to the Woodside garden centre for a cuppa

 

it was raining when we came out, so Malcolm kindly held the umbrella over me as I took photos of the wisteria

and the tree peonie

 

 

If you are thinking about coming to the glorious Scottish Borders for a holiday, then I can recommend this cottage owned by local artists Hugh and Lindsay (you've met Lindsay already - the organiser of the Woolgatherings).  Do have a look - the cottage is well-situated not only for exploring the Borders, but also for crossing the border into Northumberland, which has numerous wonderful castles to visit, including Alnwick Castle, with its wonderful gardens.

 

This has turned out to be a marathon post - especially as I keep pausing to watch a fascinating programme about the 'six degrees of separation'!

Consequences!

If you go on holiday and eat this

 

and this

 

when you come home, you might find yourself eating a lot of this!

 

Of course you can eat lovely healthy food like sushi

but perhaps you shouldn't eat these as well!

 

So - did I do any knitting ....... yes I did!!

 

One sock finished and I'm ready to start the heel on the second one

 

I like how the pattern has formed.  It's the first time I've used this sock wool (Superba Print) and I am pleased with how it has knitted up.

Progress has been slower on the shawl, as it requires a lot of concentration, but I have started the next section of the pattern

 

You can see it taking shape (with the help of a few pins!)

 

The white thread is my Lifeline - a wonderfully simple idea that could save a lot of tears!!

Isn't technology wonderful (sometimes)!

We're starting to get organised for our holiday, so this afternoon I decided to put new music on my Ipod shuffle - Malcolm usually does such things for me, but he was busy in the garden, so I had to tackle it myself!  I really don't understand all things technological and it just amazes me that I could transfer all these cds to my tiny little shuffle ....

 

I did a lot of stitching on 'Sunset' over the weekend.  I have now quilted all the sand and have made a start on the sea.  I posted off the entry form this morning, so I have to finish it now!

 

I have done some more of the shawl - this stage is straightforward, as it is a six row repeat.  Hopefully the next stage will go as well.

 

I think perhaps one or two of the holes aren't quite in the right place, but as long as there isn't a glaring error, I'm not going to worry about it!

Night and day

Last night, it was off down that road to Chesters again - this time for this month's Rural meeting.  We were going to learn about painting on glass.  I really wasn't to sure about this - I just can't draw or paint - no matter how many times I am told everyone can draw if they just try!!  However, I paid close attention as Sheila explained how to do it ....

 

Now please don't laugh too much when I show you my painted glass!

 

Oh go on then, it deserves to be laughed at.  This is actually one of the things I doodle - a little pansy.  Sometimes when people see my sewing, they say ' oh, I haven't the patience to do that' ..... well, I discovered I don't have the patience for painting on glass - tracing the design, sticking it inside the glass, then painting it - my doodle was enough for me!

 

Today, Malcolm and I headed up to Edinburgh, to visit the newly opened Hobbycraft store.  There is an amazing amount of stuff - but I have to agree with my friend Tricia, who thought that although there are supplies for lots of crafts, it tends to be the basics, rather than specialist supplies - which I guess we will still have to get online.  Malcolm got some art supplies, but this is all I bought ...

 

However, I made up for it when we went to Borders!

 

Did you notice that both these books were written by a Debbie - do you think if I change my name to Debbie I will miraculously become a fabulous knitter?!

Sunny Sunday

Yesterday, it was off down the road to Chesters for another Woolgathering, organised as always by Lindsay .  I spent the day stitching away on 'Sunset' - but it doesn't look much different, so instead I'll show you Lorraine stitching away on her entry.

As always, there was lots of knitting and sewing, but also we had Anke first carding fleece from one of her own sheep ....

 

.... and then spinning it .....

When I got back home, Maolcolm's sisters Jennifer and Judith had arrived for a visit.  After a lovely dinner (cooked by Malcolm) we went out for a walk.  These primroses were glowing in the early evening sun

 

I think this is a little wild violet - but to the right of it is a nasty stinging nettle!

Of course, we had to stop and admire the lambs - it's amazing how much noise these tiny creatures make!

 

Later on in the evening, when perhaps wine had been quaffed, I managed (after numerous attempts!) to take this photo of Malcolm and his sisters

It turned into a very late night, as they looked at old family photos and reminisced about their childhoods.

This morning we went into Hawick for a wander round the shops - I bought this sock wool to knit a pair for Malcolm (I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't knitted any socks for him, they have all been for me!!)

 

I haven't used this brand of sock wool before - as you can see from the label it's German.  I will be knitting the socks when we are on holiday, so I'll report back when we return.

Last week I forgot to show you this delicious lace yarn, which I received from Helen

If you haven't already done so, please do check out her website to see her wonderful wool (you can see the website address on the ballband).

Having finished three things last week, I decided I was allowed to start something else.  Next on the to-do list was a shawl, so I made a start on Saturday evening - I didn't get much done, as it took me so long to wind the skein in to a ball!

 

Eventually, it should turn into a swallowtail lace shawl - I downloaded the pattern from here.  I have problems reading charts, so I think there may be naughty words said and even tears shed, but I am determined to do it!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished!

At last, something crossed off the to-do list!  So here it is, the Wendy Fusion cushion......

 

The I-cord goes all the way round, then comes along the edge of the flap, to form the button loops (I got the buttons free with a magazine!

 

And if I get fed up with that side, I can always turn it over!

 

Cows, lambs and knitty things!

It was such a lovely spring morning, we decided to head over to Jammy Coo  for lunch.  I had to get the camera out as soon as this was put in front of me ....

.... gorgeous spotty teapot, cute Jammy Coo mug - and of course that wonderful food!  It's a bacon, brie and cranberry panini, with a salad with a tangy dressing - and hidden at the back, some delicious homemade chutney.

After lunch as we drove down the hill to the house ...... hooray ...... some of "our" lambs have finally arrived!

 

This afternoon it was knit'n'natter, but despite my best efforts, I didn't quite finish sewing the I-cord on .....

 

However, last night I did do a bit more on my fingerless mitts ...

 

I did several rounds of stocking stitch so that the edge will roll over, then a textured stitch for the cuff.  I am now continuing in stocking stitch, still making it up as I go!  I'm starting to think 'beads'.......

 

 

     

There will be knitting .....

  ..... but first, some super photos from this afternoon, when we took Malcolm's Dad for an outing to Newbiggin-by-the-sea.  As soon as you walk on to the sea front, you are greeted with this wonderful sight ....

 

..... I'll let the next photo tell you about the making of it .....

 

...... and hopefully you will be able to read the story ....

 

Then, a little bit further along the seafront, we came upon a life-sized version.  The detail is amazing and you wouldn't be surprised if they jumped down and walked off!

 

This is the view they look out on ... miles and miles of the North Sea

 

It was such a lovely warm afternoon, we sat outside for a cuppa.  Here are the two Malcolms enjoying the sunshine

 

On the way back to the car, I remembered where I had parked my boat!

 

 

AND NOW THE KNITTING!!!

Remember the Fusion cushion cover?  I have sewn it together and now have to decide what to do with all the miles of I-cord .....

 

The blue stripe towards the left is where the front is overlapped.  I started sewing the I-cord on there, and when I came to the first corner I coiled it round.

 

I continued stitching it on along the side, and got as far as coiling the second corner before bedtime!

 

You'll see that I am using sewing thread to sew the I-cord on - not only is the Fusion too thick, but it is also very soft and starts to stretch out and break when you use it for sewing.  It's knit'n'natter tomorrrow afternoon, so I hope to get it finished - including my cunning plan for the buttons!!  I've also been working on my fingerless mits, but haven't yet done enough to take a photo - unfortunately I can't knit in the car, as it makes me feel sick, or I could get a lot done when we are going back and forward to Northumberland to visit Malcolm's Dad - ah well, such is life!!

Miles and miles

It was knit'n'natter this afternoon, so as usual I met up with Lorraine in Jedburgh, from where we take it in turns to drive to Kelso.  Unusually, Malcolm and I weren't out for lunch today (we're going tomorrow instead), but I can still show you a photo of lovely food, as Lorraine had a (very) light lunch when we arrived at Under the Sun (extreme measures to fit into the swimsuit when she goes on holiday next month.  I should be doing the same, as we too are going away next month!!)

 

I spent the afternoon knitting I-cord for my cushion cover - miles and miles of it!

 

Of course, I am making this up as I go along, but I thought I might have corners like this....

 

and some sort of button fastening like this ....

 

What do you think - perhaps you can suggest something different!

Baa'd sheep!

More early morning excitement - yesterday it was a crane - today it was runaway sheep!  We saw them heading up the road - but there was no evidence of anyone with them.  Malcolm went out to investigate, while I did something much more sensible - I fetched the camera.  He discovered that one of the neighbours had already phoned the farmer and was in the process of turning the sheep round.  Being sensible, I stayed in the garden, which is several feet higher than the road, giving me a good view of the sheep as they trotted back down the road and into the field ....

 

What a spoilsport making us go back - it's a lovely morning for a stroll!

 

Smile girls, there's someone taking photos up there - do you think this is my best side!

 

Who dropped all those raisins on the road?  What do you mean, they're not raisins?

 

After all that excitement, we set off for Northumberland, to visit Malcolm's Dad.  As it was such a lovely morning we stopped at the Border view point to take photos, however, as you can see, it was still a little bit hazy ...

 

But the hills still looked lovely ...

 

 

On the knitting front, the main part of the cushion cover is finished - now I just need to knit several miles of I-cord.  I frogged the fingerless mitts, as they just weren't right - I have started them again, but haven't done enough for a photo.  Of course the reason for not getting on with my knitting is that I am working flat out on my swap piece.  I can't show you yet what it is, so instead I thought I would finish tonight with this pair of cuties ...