Monthly catch up - October 2026

After my great trip to Yorkshire this September I decided to have a solo date to watch Sense and Sensibility at my local cinema.

It was fun when I walked in, having it all to myself! It did fill up before the film, but it was fun while it lasted.

I took (of course) my knitting with my, a nice simple tank top and I got so much done, just going round and round, whilst watching such a great film from beginning to end.
 

My little beloved fluff ball, had her own holiday as my Mum so kindly looked after her.  It was so so adorable when I got home, did my weekend tradition of sitting in the snug to read and she put her paw on my shoulder and went to sleep.

I had the Monday off to finish of my break perfectly, and of course went to that special place Slimbridge.

It brings me so much peace just walking around.  When I got there and for a few hours there must have been three primary school groups visiting, such a brilliant idea.  But by 3pm it was like you had the place to yourself it was so great and I am so blessed it is only thirty minutes drive from home.

For my course I need to produce two peg loom pieces.  Not something I have ever done before.

The mixed materials I used I had bought while at Yarndale.  I have to admit it was hard to get so many strands over the pegs at it just got tighter and tighter, but I love the finished piece which I have made into a brooch.

I took my DSLR camera as I do love to use that as well as my phone to take pictures as you really have to just concentrate on the subject as I have the camera on purely manual settings.

I love how the Mallard image turned out, seeing the colours so clearly. 

At 4pm I headed to where the Flamingo's are housed, aren't they just the most stunning creatures!

For the second weekend in October I had the great pleasure of attending as an exhibitor my first ever craft show with Tetbury Wool Fair thanks to my good friend Bonnie from A Happy Crow. 

I am so happy, in so many ways to have my van, not least from the fact that Bonnie had a lot of items to take, which thankfully fitted happily in the back as the bed was laid flat.  My three bags tucked in behind the seat.

I was such a lovely moment to be able to display not only my knitting designs as samples which was a great help for people to relate this to the patterns that I had for sale.  Along with the gift cards that I had produced.

Anne was my first ever physical customer and I was so happy she was.  I told her how nervous I was and I shall not forget her kind words she said as she left of "I am so glad you came", having purchased one of my shawl patterns to make.

Another really kind customer came back to show me the yarn they had purchased specifically to make the purple shawl in.  

Craft shows are such a brilliant way to meet new people and it is such a great feeling when someone loves your work. 

The third weekend of the month I really wanted to get out and get some fresh air, have a walk and enjoy a good view.

So I headed to Cleeve Hill which just a short drive from home.  Not unsurprisingly the car parking spots were busy, but I managed to find that one spot, and with knitting and walking boots ready I headed up the hill.

It was a very clear and windy day as you can see from the Steam train that runs from Cheltenham racecourse to Broadway.  I do so love hearing the sound of the train and when they blow the whistle even though it is a few miles away, you can hear it so clearly.

As someone who just loves colour, and is completely inspired by nature, autumn has to be one of the best times for inspiration, just so many colours just on this one tree!

I also took my first dip into dyeing my own yarn, and goodness it is such a thrill to see the finished product that I am so looking forward to do dyeing up so much more.

 

I finished three coasters with some of the yarn I dyed, doing each one differently, my favourite is the diamond shaped one.

These will be going for sale at a craft fair in December. 

Another thing I absolutely love is a clear night.  I woke at 4am and looked out, and wow the sky was so clear.  It blows my mind seeing the stars and just so brilliant they were so bright.

On Friday I had a shock looking out the window.  In the UK we have had storm Austen, with lots of rain and strong winds.

I did not however anticipate my Paracantha bush which had been growing for over 15 years covering the wall at the bottom of my garden would blow over!

But not to be defeated, albeit it will take me several weeks of cutting and sawing to dispose of the bush in the garden wheelie bin.  I shall plant up some pot plants and pop in some bulbs to fill the gap, and I can now hang up a hanging basket on the bracket my Dad put up nearly 20 years ago as it was behind the bush and I'd completely forgotten about it. 

My last weekend of this month involved a stunning walk in the Cotswolds.  All be it super windy, but now it is the beginning of knitwear weather, which is obviously something I absolutely love!