Yesterday we explored the coast between Bamburgh and Berwick
Via the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
We'd got across the causeway to the Island so early that the Castle wasn't open to the public, so we played along the shore where the sea reminded me that I must knit something in Old Shale again!
The island was so peaceful and so cold! The natives were prepared for this
but Matt was only wearing 5 layers and turning blue so we carried on up the coast to Berwick and then inland for a long drive around the Borders crossing backwards and forwards between Scotland and England.
You'd have thought I had plenty of time to knit - I managed 17 rows of 3 sts - I was far too busy playing spot the lambs!
Holiday time - offered to take Matt anywhere he wanted for his birthday - so we're in Northumbria exploring the coast. I haven't really explored up here for at least 34 years so it was wonderful to find some of my favourite places seemingly unchanged.
Love the beaches and castles! This is the view from the harbour at Seahouses
Here's the photos as promised
First the February Lady Sweater knitted in New Lanark wool bought this time last year on my annual visit to Glasgow. I had a limited amount of yarn so knitted the sleeves first and then the body until I ran out of yarn. I added more buttons than suggested as they were so special!
I loved the idea of the Damson shawl but in it's original size it only makes a small neck scarf for me - so out came the 5mm needles and the aran yarn and this is the end product - it still needs blocking but is a much more useful size for me - it took 7 balls of Debbie Bliss Stella yarn
Wonder what will be next off of the needles, I have a couple of wips that need knocking into shape but fancy starting a new project
Yesterday saw me complete the February Lady Sweater for my Olympic challenge - I knew I wanted something that would come to top hip length - the challenges were to see if I had enough yarn and how much the pattern would grow when I washed it.
I enjoy knitting lace but Gull Lace makes my wrists hurt and after a arthritis flare in the middle of the games I knew it would be touch and go to see if I could make it.
The yarn I was using was from a cone and still had a lot of grease in it, the smell was very strong and I found I could only knit it in short bursts or sitting outdoors (you get some funny looks knitting outside in February in the UK!)
Its been washed and rinsed at least 5 times and the yarn now feels much softer. As soon as it's dry I'll take photos. I'm happy with the hand made buttons that I bought at Brighton and the fact that I've added more button holes. I think I may even have achieved the desired length - can't wait to try it on.
I'd rashly promised I would also enter the Ravelympics WIP Wrestling and stated I would complete Damson - not the original version but one enlarged by using Aran weight yarn. It seemed like a good idea when I started it in August but I couldn't face working on it after Kate died and it's been languishing in the pile ever since.
As this was my project for Team I Knit I worked on it on Thursdays (knit night) and wouldn't allow myself to do any more until I finished the FLS. In all of my calculations the thing I had forgotten was how much larger it would be and how never-ending those last rows would feel. I scraped in under the finish line just before midnight on Sunday.
This one still needs washing and blocking but will have to wait until the sweater is dry.
What's next on the needles? Some plain and simple, mindless garter stitch to sooth my frazzled nerves - I do not like knitting to deadlines!!!