If someone had told me that the most peaceful moment of the last month would be on the 17:30 train on Saturday from Birmingham to London I would have laughed!
I decided to upgrade my ticket and had an entire compartment to myself. I took my shoes off, put my feeet up on the seat opposite, plugged in the ipod, read a magazine and knitted - by the time I got to London I felt at peace with the world! The knitting was aimless garter stich using some Hummingbird Alpaca quite what it will end up as I don't know but the repetetive movements suited my mood.
Thursday was Mydi's funeral - she would have been pleased with the turn out and doubly pleased that one of her ex-bosses - The Colonel - attend and spoke to all the family about his high regard for her work but more particularly about her as a person. The day was hard for the family but it does feel that we are moving on albeit slowly.
The mohair may well end up as that wrap. I like the idea of something I can pick up and put down and still find my place in the pattern.
Emma commented that mitred squares will always make her think of Kay - for me they will always remind me of my good friend Norma Skarupa aka Norma the Notorious Nuisance - she was a Secret Pal to me in 2002 -2003 and her final gift was a Mags Kandis, Mission Falls kit to make the Kinki jacket which the wrap reminds me of! I may have to knit this as a tribute to her.
The Autumn show season has started and I will be found on some if not all days at the following shows:
Exeter
Alexandra Palace
Glasgow
Cardiff
November Harrogate
I'm also getting involved in this on 10th November which promises to be a great day out for London knitters!
here's the sum total of the spoils from the NEC
First up James Brett Ripple 55% wool and I liked the colours and texture - I'm thinking a simple shoulder shawl for the office
Oops - not quite the sum total - there's another book to come from MaggiKnits as I fell for an outrageous jacket! My original copy of Cheryl's book was damaged by water so it was good to find a replacement. I'm beginning to enjoy Top Down knitting again so had to buy this book for more inspiration
I don't normally buy green but loved the colour of this and am keen to try the Plassard yarn
Anyone guess what I have planned for this lot?
We caused uproar on the RKM stand trying to pick out colours of this Lang Mohair Luxe and ended up with 12 boxes of yarn open and 4 of us all trying to mix and match colours!
On Saturday I escaped and headed to the NEC - not the best of knitting shows but it worked wonderfully as therapy!
There was retail therapy, photos to follow later, more importantly there was knitters therapy - my thanks to the knitters Wye Sue, Jan, Mavis, Fred, Rachel, Dianne, Liz and members of the KCG for the inspiring conversations and sympathetic shoulders.
The best moment of the day - meeting Shaun! Jan has excelled herself with this and other contributions to the PicKnit - He put a smile on everyone's face who saw him!
Some were camera shy and hid round the corner
Jan was pleased that Neil of NKM came to visit - he had very generously donated the black yarn for Shaun.
Just to prove that knitting does happen here - the evidence of gifts finally on their way for the Rowan Exchange
I finally unearthed the camera so here are some photos to keep you amused.
First up is my present from my Ravelery Summer Camp bunkmate - there was a packet of tea but I've been busy drinking that.
My first gift from SP11 - wonderful timing - I've enjoyed reading these. I've also swatched for a couple of the shawls but am not happy with my yarn choices.
Sarah , my SP9 pal sent this book and there are definitely a couple of items on my "T0 Do" list. I think I may have found a use for some of my Colinette 4ply stash so must needs do some winding and swatching
Here's "Green Gable" finished - if I tell you that it has already become my favourite sweater would you be surprised? I enjoyed knitting it so much I bought a few more of their patterns and already have "Juliet" on the needles
Knitted in Jaeger EFM DK the colour is Cupid - pink / lilac depending on the light
And finally some of the damage I can do to my bank account when left alone in front of a computer when I'm feeling depressed!
The wish list is now even longer, the yarn list for the shows is expanding - anyone know where i can get another set of hands?
More purchases have been made and the postman is being kept busy! I'm just waiting for the arrival of some items and then I can send my next package to my SP11
Our thanks to you all for the support offered. We are being kept busy meeting all the legal requirements and hoops and dealing with all of the family dynamics that such occasions generate.
For those not in the know - our legal system now requires there to be a Coroners post mortem, a Coronors Inquest, a police investigation and potentially a criminal trial. By necessity certain things cannot happen until other matters are concluded so this will go on for months if not years (there goes my professional head speaking). It felt weird sitting on the other side of a Victim Liaison interview and I hope the experience will improve my professional practice!
On a more positive note, I'm able to knit small items in garter stitch and find it comforting - I've nearly exhausted my supply of dishcloth cotton - after that it's on to the Rowan! Mydi has always encouraged me with my knitting and we had some great chats about various designs, she enjoyed working on some of the more complex Jaeger designs and she could relate to my yarn stash, UFO's and wip's. I'm wondering how many I will find in her home..
Knitting life goes on and the Autumn shows are being planned - anyone in the UK who can offer assistance can register with www.ukhandknitting.com At present I'm planning to work Ally Pally and Harrogate as that time off was already booked. Flights and accommodation are also booked for Glasgow. Others may have to wait until I can see how much holiday allowance I have left after this.
The main project for the ICHF shows is the PicKnit and Janet has kept me entertained with photos of Shaun the Sheep on his travels - here he is in Blackpool
The aim of the project is to raise funds for the Wallace and Grommit foundation and Janet has already raised a few hundred pounds by people making a donation to have their photo taken with him. She's now embarked (no pun intended) on her next project which is a tree and is raising sponsorship for how many leaves she can knit.
Matt's mum died this afternoon.
I will think of more words to say - i'm not sure how many of them will be printable.
Thank you for the messages of support