Mosaic Hot Water Bottle Cover and Cat Model

Another bit of getting my family to model. This time it was my elderly cat. As you can probably tell she was not delighted. That is definitely the look of a cat saying "why on earth have you put me here?". I forgive her though, as she is an old lady of 18. Eventually though with another strategically placed hot water bottle under her basket she settled down for a bit more of the photo I was aiming for.

Looking at other photos on Ravelry of hot water bottle covers, I decided my favourites were of people heading of to bed, so I also feature myself in the one below.

This crochet pattern was designed by Rebecca Anaspure, and is available as a project kit on Blacker Yarns website - Mosaic Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cover. It is a really clever design, with a handy split at the back to insert the hot water bottle through.  Made from Samite silk-blend in DK, it is not only really soft and snuggly, it will keep your bottle’s warmth until you are fast asleep.

Now can I work out a way to get my dog into a photograph for Blacker Yarns.

Shetland Coffee DK

 

Been busy taking some photographs for the new Blacker Shetland Coffee DK wool, which was out on Friday last week. Apart from the photographs, I had a little experiment with some video. I had a bit of help editing in from my daughter, but I picked the music and filmed the shots, and perhaps my husband might have a new career as a hand model. 

I had intended using Blur Coffee and TV, you can't use music without permission, until it is over 50 years old. So the Java Jive by The Ink Spots, released in 1940 seemed a good safe alternative. And we do love coffee ... as well as wool!

 

Modern Knitting Illustrated and A Little Trip to Brighton

Last weekend I went on a little trip to Brighton with my daughter. She is going to study fashion and business studies there next year. On the first day we mooched around the town, sat on the beach, went and looked at the halls of residence on her short list (imagining what it would be like to live in each one), went to see the graduates show from this year (very impressive), and tried to soak up the atmosphere. 

 

I think it was well worth doing, as she is even more excited than before about starting her course. She has now heard she has a place in the halls she was hoping for, and also I will be able to picture her there.

On the second day we decided to go to a boot fair near Brighton Marina. I was really pleased with my £1 purchase, of Modern Knitting Illustrated by Jane Koster and Margaret Murray.

 

 

Published in 1948 this little unassuming little book contains over 60 knitting and crochet patterns, and although I doubt I will make anything from it, as most are 3ply or even 2ply, I have got a lot of pleasure looking at the patterns.

Apart from the design I also find some of the captions amusing. The girls in the pictures above and below are described as "smart girls". I'm not sure if this means they look smart, or that they are smart for making their own clothes.

This opera top "looked pretty enough to add to a trousseau".

 

This scarf and glove set reminded me of my Dad, who always wore a trilby hat until he retired, when he moved on to a flat cap. The caption says "the gay colour scheme would please most men".

 

And this hat and glove set remined me of Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter.

 

Just a few pictures from the many in this book. 

 

I didn't take many photos (as I have been told that my constant photography can be a bit annoying!), but here is a friendly herring gull from the beach, and we did a little detour to see The Long Man of Wilmington. The two little figures in the foreground show the size of this figure carved in the chalk downs.

 

Sneak Peek Seahorse

Working on a new pattern, and having my same old problem of trying to get the photos right. The seahorse just looked a bit sad lying flat on the table, so here he is under the sea - much more suitable. Done by changing my screensaver, and a nearly invisible thread. Just got to make a lot more now before I am ready to publish.

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

The Deer in Richmond Park

 The Hunters Are Coming

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

As I look in the bushes, a gleaming blue eye.

The hunters are coming, as big and as bad,

They've seen me I know, and they're especially glad.

Up to my feet I get with a rush,

Quickly I charge to hide by a thrush.

"Deer! over there" the hunters they shout.

Will I survive? I'm, beginning to doubt!

I run for my life, over the hill.

Yes! I'll survive. I beating them till ...

I'm flung in the air to the highest tree tops,

I taste blood in my mouth as this little deer drops.

For a moment I lie there, I lie there quite still,

But the hunters are coming, ready to kill.

I try to run, as fast as I can,

But I turn around swiftly, and I'm facing a man!

I close my brown eyes and take a last breath, 

But I squiggle and squirm, not ready for death.

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

Why was it me who had to die?

As I walked in Richmond Park this week, there was a sign up saying the deer cull is on for the next six weeks. Not completely sure how I feel about this. I do know that the deer, which are in a confined space practically in London, have to have their numbers controlled, and that probably the cull is the least cruel way to do this. 

But then I got home, and saw the poem above, which has been posted on the side of my fridge for the last few years. It was written by my daughter when she was in primary school, and does tug at the heart strings.

Looking back through my photographs, I realize I do not take many of the deer. The one at the top was taken at this time of year, and I kept it mainly because I liked the framing by the trees. And the other one was in mid-summer, when I think I was trying to photograph rabbits, and came upon this deer a bit too close by surprise. I am not sure who was more shocked.

Not much to show on the knitting front. I am making socks, and they seem to taking a long time. On the second one though!

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for January. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Meet Rosie

Meet Rosie, our new puppy. She has not been with us a week yet, but we are all in love with her. I expect you will be seeing a lot more of her, and perhaps this will become a dog blog. I haven't done much crafting since she arrived, and am having to keep all my knitting on a high shelf.  I have been banned from making her a dog coat, but ha, we will see about that.

We have never had a dog before, so it is a bit of a learning experience. At the moment it is just like having a new baby. She sleeps a lot, and then has short bursts of extreme playfulness. She is very relaxed and nice natured, and good at night. I can't wait for when we can take her out for walks.

 

I have tried really hard to get a photo of her playing, but so far none of them have turned out. I realise she looks doleful in all these photos, which is not really her character, but just how she looks when I point my camera at her.

Daffodils

Snowdrops

Busy making some baby shoes and mittens. These were ordered to match a specific baby suit. I love green - my favourite colour. And so I have been waiting for the chance to go out and photograph some real snowdrops. One of my favourite flowers, and a sign that Spring is on its way.

"How About You ...."

The iguana was very simple to photograph. He was so still. I am sure he knew that he looked magnificent.

I might be looking for a bit of inspiration for possible future knits?  (Actually I am in the middle of designing a little animal pattern, but not any of the ones pictured here.) 

We went on a trip earlier this week to Longleat Safari Park, which I think I enjoyed more than the kids. 

Of my numerous photos these were just a few of my favourites. 

I couldn't forget the meerkats.

The elegant giraffesl ...

King of the jungle turned towards me at just the right moment ...

.... and the majestic lioness

... we also caught a glimpse of the tigers

I didn't quite capture how cute the baby ring-tailed lemur was. I know he looks a bit crazy. They were having so much fun.

The Humbolt Penguins stood so still. They looked like they were enjoying the sunshine

The anteaters were my surprise favourites.