1. The firmness of the still frozen earth. The horses’ field has been boggy of late but today, the cold holds the hoof prints in the mud until mid-afternoon.
2. A sudden burst of productivity.
3. The sky is clear except for the wispy clouds, like floating wool roving, pulled across the moon.
4. Seeing familiar streets in a different context.
Depending on how you look at it, this is either one of the quickest or one of the slowest makes I’ve ever done.
My ears were FREEZING I got back from my walk with her majesty Lily of Stink this afternoon. No surprise really — the hill and the horses’ field were both still covered in the morning’s frost — but unpleasant all the same. I decided to look for some ideas for crocheted (or stitched) ear muffs but after looking at various options on Ravelry & Pinterest, I decided I’d prefer a band-like ear warmer instead of muffs. “Hmmm,” I thought, “I could knit a pretty swirly one easily enough.” Then I remembered the swirly beany I started making last year? the year before? I ran upstairs and grabbed the half finished hat from where it was gathering dust on top of the chest of drawers in the bedroom – and lo, it was just about the right size for ear warmer.
I had left my hat mid-row so it took me a whole 12 minutes to finish off that row, cast off and put a couple of stitches in the back to double over the back bit (which ever so conveniently gives it a bit of an ear shape at the front). So it either took me 12 minutes to make this or 2 years. Ahem.
Even if I had started it from scratch this afternoon, it still would have been a quick make – that’s why I started making it as a hat. I probably will make a full hat version later this winter – probably in a less sludgy colour – but this will keep my ears warm in the meantime and tuck neatly away in my pocket when I don’t need it. Double yay.
1. The chickens peck a face into the side of the apple. It’s a rather gruesome grimace but it makes me smile all the same.
2. From flat navy to warm butter, a full spectrum of blues in between.
3. Carla snuggles next to me while I eat my soup. She is wonderfully fluffy and the picture of health, all bright eyes and happy chirps: such a lovely change from her flu days earlier in the month.
After trying my hand at wet felting over the last few months, I was intrigued by the idea of needlefelting – less guesswork and easier to make 3D items so got myself a starter kit a few weeks ago.
So far I’ve made a few basic (flattish) shapes using paper templates and a few 3D things, but this was my first picture – misc flowers on a mixed blue backdrop:
I liked the extra control I had over positioning of, for example, the stems, and shaping in general — and I especially liked being able to work on the sofa rather than stood up, getting soggy in the kitchen. But aside from that, I think I’ll stick to wet-felting for this sort of thing.
1. The bright yellow, the warm orange and the muted mustard in between.
2. Hypnotised by the treat, she runs around the mud.
3. Chickpeas in the curry, yes.
A conversation with my mum about her researching our family history.
(16:08:48) mum: i’ve got that far back on the barrett side
(16:09:24) mum: cannot do any further…ireland
(16:11:28) louisa: do you know which bit of ireland at least?
(16:11:48) mum: limerick
(16:14:57) louisa: ok, there was an old woman from southport
whose own family history she sought,
she knew they’re from limerick,
at least all the old micks,
so she could go there as last resort
(16:15:07) louisa: it doesn’t quite scan but you have to give me props for trying ;)
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