Friday roundup
What with bank holidays and school strike days I’m afraid I don’t know whether I’m coming or going this week. The reason this newsletter isn’t hitting your inbox as early as I normally aim for is because, until about an hour ago I was under the firm, nay unshakeable impression that today was Thursday.
But apparently it isn’t. I fully expect the confusion to continue into next week as we have another bank holiday on Monday for the Coronation (even though that takes place on Saturday 6th May - no - I can’t explain that either).
And then our house launches into full on exam season as my eldest son embarks on the marathon that is A levels. So by June I fully anticipate that I might not even know my own name.
About the knitting
Not surprisingly, I’m all about the plain vanilla sock knitting at the minute. In times of stress or when I have a lot on my plate I always turn to self stripe, plain knitted socks. It speaks volumes then that in the past 10 days I’ve turned out 2 pairs of West Yorkshire Spinners stripy socks - his and hers socks for a lovely couple I know going through tough times.
The Owl colourway is on the left (his) and the fabulously cheerful Robin colourway (hers) is on the right. No matter how many times I knit with this yarn I never get bored of it.
I then found myself bereft as I realised that I had no plain knitting and everything else I was working on required a decision or some ripping (neckline of my Love Note sweater - I’m looking at you). Then, during a random rummage through some project bags I was thrilled to find a half finished sock snake in some beautiful self stripe yarn, although embarrassingly I have no idea who the dyer was. I seem to remember it was a Christmas colourway with the word ‘bauble’ in the title but that’s as much as I can dredge up from my memory banks. Note to self - start taking photos of the ballbands before you invariably lose them.
If you haven’t come across my Sock Snake before, there is a link to the pattern and the free tutorial here. Essentially I knit a long sock tube with a toe at each end, and then snip it in half to add cuffs and afterthought heels. Although, you can always knit until you’ve used up the full 100g and turn it into a narrow, wrappable scarf if the thought of cutting your knitting makes you feel faint.
Making me smile this week
Getting back into reading with the Into The Wilderness series by Sara Donati. It has Outlander-style vibes and indeed builds on it a little with references to Claire and Jamie Fraser.
Never mess with the otters - this video is hilarious and proves why.
I found the perfect brownie recipe. In fact I loved it so much I bought her book as well - What’s For Dinner.