New shawl design

Over the past couple of months I have been working on a new shawl design. 

The design features both simple Stocking and Garter Stitch sections along with some textured and lacey detail.  The shawl is finished with a lacey border which is knitted sideways and added to the shawl. 

The shawl is the perfect accessory to take the chill off or to wrap around and enjoy. 

This pattern will be realesed shortly in conjunction with Kate Selene as a kit. 

 

A day trip in the Cotswolds.

We had booked a week off with the intention of heading off to Devon in our compact VW Camper.  But having seen the forecast we opted to stay home and have a couple of day trips.

Na has not seen much of what the surrounding area has to offer so I thought we would pick a couple of places to just give her a taster. 

Firstly we stopped at Bibury. Mentioned in the Domesday book and called the nicest village in England by William Morris.

Arlington Row is owned by the National Trust and the row of houses is depected in every British Passport. 

One of the other main attractions to the village is a Trout farm where you can go and catch your own tea!

We then headed to the next stop which was Burford.  A small medieval town on the South side of Oxford. 

It has one main street that is very popular with an interesting collection of shops, pubs and cafés. 

We stopped off for refreshments at a lovely cafe and obviously did a little sock knitting!! 

 They had the most beautiful delicate Hydrangea in the garden I've not seen petals like it before. 

 

 We then went to a walk up one side and down the other side. 

We came across this brilliant door and cottage name! 

We sat by the river and had our picnic and did a little more sock knitting. 

On the way back to the car we spotted this amazing classic car! 

We did treat ourselves to something perfect for the kitchen which we both loved as soon as we saw it. 

It's just perfect to house my Coke bottles that I use for my cuttings. 

For those interested in my sock yarn it is by  Pixie Yarn the colourway is Grorange.

Many thanks for visiting, until next time. 

The joy of plants

Yesterday I took some time to read my favourite, most inspiring blog writets post Attic 24 

I have had the pleasure of meeting Lucy over the years several times when myself and a dear friend Rosy visited Skipton for the annual yarn festival in September.  

I love to read Lucy's blog not only for her incredible skill in design, but the ease with which she writes is inspiring. 

Within Lucy's current blog she talks about the need for "space" to help with her wellbeing.  I too need quiet and happily can spend hours in my garden, just enjoying what I have built over the last 18 years. 

Alongside my outdoor space I also have always loved indoor plants. This time last year my personal life was very different, I was in a very controlling relationship where I was restricted in what was allowed.  Now thankfully I am with an amazing person who although she says I have "an obsession" with house plants accommodates my love of them. 

For me gardening be it indoors or out is an extension of what makes me happy and helps my mental health.  Seeing plants thrive that I have grown from seed or cuttings, or bulbs springing to life that I forgot about is just magical.