Tag: knitting

Accidental return….

As I seem to have managed just one post in 2025 (!) I thought I had given up this potentially time-consuming (and now unfashionable) blog lark – but WordPress had other ideas. Since they have just managed to swipe £66.12 from my account (must investigate that for next year – does not appear to be a standing order or direct debit…cunning stuff!) I may as well see if I can remember how it goes.

Why not start like the last time – who knows, if 2026 works out like last year these could be my two most expensive Christmas tree photos ever ….

Back to January – a quiet retreat into Etsy land. Mostly ‘Sophie’ style little scarves, definitely on-trend right now. But also (more fun) some ‘Ascot’ keyhole scarves researched from vintage patterns of the late 1940s, but knitted up in very different modern yarns:

February – so far, just one quick London raid. Così at the Coliseum and National Gallery for Joseph Wright of Derby, plus this:

Cranach the Elder – part of an altar piece.

Just one seasonal item (never good enough at that!)

Verdict on blogging? Can’t even work out how to make all these images smaller…though there is a mile long list of other really clever things you could do with them…Maybe I’ll get better? We’ll see.

In praise of cowls

I have been making lots this winter – great fun! I have even produced kits. And on Etsy they sell – to the USA and to Europe. But not so much here, in the UK. This I really don’t understand. Cowls (neck warmers, snoods in the States) are warm, super practical (stuff one in your pocket, plus no tails to get in the way, especially good for outdoor sports). They are also obviously less expensive than the time consuming hand made traditional long scarf. So why are they not catching on? Are we just being a bit slow?

Grateful for any suggestions!

One of those runaway days

A day that started early, ended late (only a few minutes left till midnight, once again) but didn’t seem to go anywhere much in between. Some useful Etsy listing though – hand warmers this time. I am definitely making a dent in the pile, which is satisfying (and also means I can think about making more stuff…)

I really should be using all my very best, beautiful stashed yarns now. I probably already don’t have enough life left to get through them all – though there is definitely pleasure in spreading them out to admire. I think I am waiting for them to shout out to me exactly what they want to become – it does sometimes happen! Until I am absolutely sure, I will probably just keep on stroking and purring….

Day 13: Unfinished business

Listing on Etsy, that is. And today other work (which I love doing) got in the way as well. But I’m on it now – much of the yarn from yesterday’s pictures has already made it up there and I am beginning on the hot water bottles. I am under some pressure to clear space in the house (photo on Blogvember day 5 gives just a partial view….) People helpfully point out that until I do list the stuff, no-one can actually buy it. Well, of course I do know that, but describing finished items is so boring, compared to making them…. Very important to do it carefully though, so I’m now back at it.

Cup of tea in 20 minutes? Chocolate in an hour? Sneaky bit of spinning at midnight? That’s the kind of desperate bribery I seem to be into.