It’s going to be a typically British version of the Friday round-up, starting as it does with both apologies and the weather - but oh my goodness, it’s hot - and I’m getting really rather fed up with it now.
As an aside I’m also getting a bit fed up with the language we use around weather in this country. Just check out the next TV weather report or two if you aren’t sure what I’m saying. There are so many references to ‘lovely sunny weather’ and ‘enjoying the sunshine’. The automatic assumption that hot weather is automatically lovely and enjoyable for all is a tad annoying - on a personal level if nothing else. But it completely ignores the dramatically changing weather conditions that we are experiencing in this country (and around the world).
Changing weather patterns are undeniable and yet our strange dogged persistence in carrying on regardless, is utterly baffling to me. Natalie of @SmallKindUK on Instagram has a brilliant post about how to try and broach these kinds of conversations with friends and family.
Yes, climate change is scary but burying our heads in the sand isn’t a solution. There are lots of small changes that all of us can do every day which can collectively add up to a lot. That’s not to say that pressure shouldn’t be brought to bear on large corporations and jet-setting millionaires - of course it should - but that shouldn’t stop us from all trying to do a little bit more to try and help the planet.
Goodness, that turned into a bit of a longer spiel than I anticipated - apologies again.
What I really wanted to ask was about the pressing issue of summer socks - specifically shortie summer socks.
I was always somewhat ambivalent about them, until I actually made some and I discovered that they make hot summer days a lot more bearable for me.
I’ve always intensely disliked the feeling of slippy, sweaty feet in sandals - and my feet always burn anyway no matter how much sunscreen I apply. Discovering that shortie socks and my beloved Sketchers were a good combination has really helped me try and overcome the sensory discomfort of hot summer days. My feet might still get a bit hot but at least I’m more comfortable and I can walk around all day without trying to stop my feet from burning.
I designed these Toe Beans socks a year or two ago and I was really surprised at how much I have worn them. They are called toe beans incidentally because the lace pattern looks a little like cat paw tracks - and of course Ebby obligingly planted his toes in shot when I was trying to take a photo.
I haven’t knit any socks for a while - the family are replete for now with socks (which makes a change) so I think I’ll cast on for a new pair, or two, of shortie socks over the weekend. The good news is that they only take around 50g yarn so they are ideal for stash busting.
If you’d like to whip up a pair - the other advantage is that they are super quick to make - I have the Toe Beans pattern on sale this weekend, with £1 off the purchase price.
Making me smile this week:
I already loved New Lanark wool for it’s affordability and low carbon footprint but I was thrilled to find this little snippet this week. Their mill is powered entirely by hydro-electricity - just another good reason to support them.
Nope shampoo bars. I’ve always had a bit of a hit and miss relationship with shampoo bars. I love the idea of zero waste but I’ve found some brands leave my hair sticky - and I wasn’t sure if it might be partly due to our super hard water. The fabulous Bricks and Makers shop recently started stocking these bars though so I thought I’d give them a go and I’ve been really impressed. It probably did help that they have great online help tutorial on how to actually use the bars - and I read it as well (always a bonus)
Continuing the eco-theme I’ve also been making use of our local minimal-waste shop. The Refill Barn in Radwinter is really lovely (they also do great coffee) and the owners are super helpful in giving newbies a tour on how it all works. It seems like a bit of a faff the first time you go, weighing your containers but once you get the hang of it, it’s a really fun way to shop and contrary to my first impressions it doesn’t work out any more expensive than using the supermarket. Do you have a zero waste shop near you? I know they can be a bit thin on the ground in some areas but it would be really positive to see more of them.
And in other smile-inducing news we are forecast rain this weekend. Good news for my garden and my over-heated self.
Hope you have a lovely weekend too - whatever the weather.
I know exactly what you mean about summer feet. I knitted two pairs of 'foot socks' last year and have been so much more comfy in them. I wear them with open sandals all the time - it's trendy now apparently. I've also discovered something called Toe Toppers which are a sock that just covers your toes and half the foot - great in mules and clogs, but boring in fabric and colour. I might try and knit some....
And bravo for talking about the relentless up-beatness about the hot weather. Yes, It's pleasant most of the time, but when you've had a hose pipe ban for over a year and the water butts are dry (all six of them) and the garden is baked to dust, it's not so clever. And globally, it really isn't clever. I'm working hard to try to do better with waste and recycling and would love more reviews of shampoo bars etc. Thank you. Also if you're one of the many people who take medication that is potentiated (increases it's effect) by the heat, you have to be so careful, and loads of people don't even realise. My meds mean I burn very easily especially around my face, chest and neck, so have to be super-careful.
Anyway - a great post today. Thank you!
If it makes you feel any better, the attitude of certain parts of the media towards climate change is not representative of the rest of us. About 75% of the UK is "(very or somewhat) worried about climate change" (data from the ONS). The tabloids, though, don't care about anything but themselves.