Alice Jean

I started the hat, top-down, this Sunday. On Monday I took my knitting to my friend Ailsa . It is wonderful to have a knitting friend living so near. Dory and I did have a lovely time, she enjoyed playing with the cat and was allowed to use a punch. Ailsa makes gorgeous cards and some of you are going to receive one of them in December :). Monday evening I cast he mittens on. Tip down. Tuesday we had to go to the infirmary for Dory's eye test, which she failed. Nothing to worry about yet, we have to come back in 3 months. Since we were in Northwich anyway, we went to the town to do some shopping. D. choose to have coffee at Bratts, because of the Fairy Lunchboxes. While she was eating her egg-mayo sandwiches in order to have the crisps, I did have time enough for some knitting (and a second cuppa coffee). When we got home I found a RM card, saying they could not deliver a package. That could be my magic ball! And now I have to wait for the re-delivery at Saturday to know for sure. ...

I did some shopping online last week and want to share some photos of the purchases. At Stash is a half price sale currently, so I bought some Noro's there. Noro Silk Garden , lovely colors, soft touch, 250 grams. I was thinking to knit a jumper for Dory out of it, but since she has chosen her 'own style', I am not sure if I will do that. The Silver Thaw I picked because of the blend (apart from the beautiful colours), 50% Wool, 25% Super angora, 25% Nylon. I think this will be perfect for a pair of warm slippers. Anyone who knows of a good pattern? From Violet Green three skeins of Stroud Wool sock yarn. Two of them are pictured here. I don't know yet what socks to knit with the Rust and Pink yarn. The other yarn, the semi-solid Lichen will be perfect for a pair of socks for Reese. Just have to browse for a nice pattern. Any ideas?

For some weeks now Dory has blisters on both big toes. On the outer side, a very unusual spot for blisters. I checked and rechecked her shoes, they could not be the problem, she should have enough room for her toes. Nevertheless, we went to the children's shoe shop today. One of those recommended by podiatrists. The shop assistant took a close look at Dory's toes and feet and agreed the shoes still fit. But some people can't endure the seams on the toes of socks and it is very likely this is causing the problem. And then she came up with the solution: "Some children have to wear their socks inside out or hand knit socks." Yay! We did buy a pair of boots anyway :)

With all those sheep we met during our walks, I made the mistake to think there should be knitting wool in one of the many 'woollen mills'. Stupid thought, I have been in Edinburgh Mills more than once and they sell no yarn at all. But I didn't think of that, all I remembered was a Woollen Mills near Blarney Castle , where was a whole department of knitting wool. I have to say that was four years ago. Nevertheless, when I found out there were 2 so called 'woollen mills' near us, I constrained the whole family to go with me :). But it was disappointing, no yarn. The lady I asked about it had to laugh when she heard my assumption. Another lady pointed me to a third woollen mill, they had sheep there, and as far she knew, there should be some wool as they also had spinning classes. She was correct about that. That mill had sheep, had spinning classes only at Saturdays (I was there on Friday) and they had a little knitting wool. And I have had a good conversation wit...

We live in a rural village. There is not much to do, sometimes the local news bulletin mentions a crime committed, things as set fire to a 'for sale' sign, troublesome people removed from the cricket field etc. The bus is running only once in an hour, no service after 6 pm and on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Of course there is no superstore, but we do have a nice few local shops. One of them is the charity shop. Doortje loves it for the toys, I like it to browse for books. Today was our lucky day. Maybe you remember how she took the ladybug-beads from a earlier post . Now she has found herself a bag full of those insects. This does not mean I got back the beads. She is very happy with her new treasure and told everyone she has 'some more ladybugs'. They live happily together in her dolls house. And I found another knitted toys book! These pictures will give a good impression: Now I need to find some time to knit some of those cute toys. Maybe instead of blogging about kni...

This is a Gotland sheep. Doortjes absolute favourite at Woolfest . Oh yes, there were many sheep more, but the Gotland sheep were the most attractive to her. I was allowed to see one stand at the time and then we had to head back to those sheep immediately. For me as wool lover Woolfest was worthwhile. It is a great pleasure to feel and see all kinds of wool and the sheep who produce that particular wool. And to see all the magnificent colours of hand dyed yarn. And to see a lot of people spinning and weaving. She gave me this drop spindle and some Merino roving. Unfortunately I was not able (in time) to attend the 'Spinning with Hand Spindle' workshop, so I have to learn it myself from the Internet. Or maybe I find myself a spinners group in the area, we do have a lot of sheep here :). I did not only watch, but also bought some stuff. One kilo of undyed organic wool, a bar of Olive soap (one of the things I want to do in the near future is felting wool), two bars of Woolfat ...

Chester is a very nice county town to visit. For us it is the nearest 'big' town to do our shopping. Today D. and me went to Chester by bus. There was a bit of arguing about that before... she likes to go by train. Going by bus has some advantages however, the bus stop is at ten minutes walk from our home and the bus stops in the town centre of Chester. For the rail stop we have to walk at least 20 minutes presuming Doortje would go on. And the bus is half the price of the train. So, this time, the bus prevailed. We had a nice day, bit clouded, but dry. Of course we walked part of the Castle Walls , as she loves to climb up and down the stairs. And we did some shopping. She kind of talked me into making your own stitch markers. And as it happens there is a small Bead Shop in Frodsham Street. What I did not know until today: D. loves beads! She insisted on filling her own bowl with all kind of beads. It took me ten minutes or so to put the beads (and buttons and flowers) back...