YORKSHIRE HERE WE COME......

 Helllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

Well, what do you think has been going on in our allotment this week? Perhaps some pesky little veggie goblin has cast a spell, or whoever paints the veggies just got the colours wrong. No, no, no! Of course not! These delicious, organically grown, allotment veggies are exactly as they are supposed to be; white carrots (so sweet), black French beans (absolutely delicious) and golden chard (one of my favourites). There is nothing so delicious as freshly picked veggies that you have grown yourselves! The tomatoes in the garden greenhouse are coming along nicely too. They seem to be slower ripening than last year though. As always, they will all decide to ripen whilst we are away.

We've grown rather a lot of chilli plants as well this year and have been really pleased to harvest some red ones. We must have had rather a lot more hot sunshine than I realised, not since school broke up though!!!!

Anyway, onto more knitterly things. I had a lovely surprise earlier in the week, when I was lucky enough to win second prize in a giveaway to celebtare the fifth anniversary of Kate Blackburn's blog 'Confessions of a Graveyard Gypsy'. I chose two delicious skeins of Artesano Alpaca Inca Cloud yarn. It's gorgeous!

 This is now project one of my 'up to the cottage' knitting. Obviously, this sweet little project won't occupy for the full twelve days of our stay, so....... what else am I taking? The little project bags are all lined up.

These balls of Regia have been in my stash for a long time now. It's about time they showed themselves. They are to become socks for the sister of my eldest daughter's boyfriend. Her feet are a size 10! I'm sure it's all down to the fact that she runs marathons. All that pounding the streets must flatten your feet somewhat, don't you think? Anyway, she asked for grey and yellow (drew a blank there) or blue... stash-busting here we come! It seemed fitting to choose 'Jules' by Kate Blackburn. Thanks again Kate!

Also on the pile are a pair of Cookie A's 'Pomatamus' socks. I have had this pattern at the top of my 'must knit' list for ages, but due to my insatiable appetite for buying multi-coloured yarn, I have never had anything suitable 'in stock' to knit the pattern with and you you really do need a solid or semi-solid colour for this one.   Not that that normally stops me from just going right on out there and buying some that does suit! It doesn't, but in my knitting journey thus far, I had yet to fully appreciate the beauty of single colour yarns. That's all changed now! 'Knit Nation' has happened and I have now been suitably 'blinded' by the beauty of solid and semi-solid colours. Bring on  WOLLMEISE!!!!! HOORAY! I hear you all cheer. Yes, I bought the 'Pomatamus' yarn at Knit Nation', where we also met Cookie. So, it seemed a fitting reminder of a fabulous weekend. Also, I've been using pretty straightforward patterns for my socks, of late. Probably because I can't mentally manage much more during term time. This pattern will call for my full attention!!!!!

This photo shows the true colour a little better. It's so gorgeous!

My first endeavour this week though, is to finish the 'Artist' sweater that I began months ago. Mr Snoopydog gifted me the yarn last Christmas and unless I have a finished project to show very soon, my chances of receiving more supplies this coming Christmas are pretty minimal!

I think that little lot will keep me pretty busy, inbetween Sophie cuddling, Scott and Oscar stroking and general family 'togethering', don't you? I'm taking my laptop with me, so I'll be able to post a progress report next week.

Oh, nearly forgot! Here are my finished 'Knit Nation Socks'...... Oscar thinks they're coooooool!

Well, at least he did just before I clicked! He's just feigning complete disinterest now.That's dogs for you! One sock does look a little bigger than the other on this pic. That's just down to my bad photography, I can assure you :) They fit really well. There's something very pleasurable and reassuring in these Trekking XXL stripey yarns. However, they just don't match up to the gorgeous hand-dyed skeins that I prefer to knit with. The yarn is nowhere near as soft and the resulting fabric is not as springy, even and satisfying. I'm just always 'taken in' by the colourful effects.

Just before I hurry off to my bed, in excited anticipation of our journey up to the cottage in Pickering, North Yorkshire, tomorrow, let me show you this beautiful little teaset that I spent a rainy afternoon washing this week. It belonged to my mother and was one of the most important things belonging to her, that I kept to treasure after her death. It's Minton 'Haddon Hall' and she adored it. I think it's so, so pretty. I don't use it, although maybe I should. I am rather afraid of breaking a piece and then the 'magic' would be broken. Isn't it lovely!

On that note, I'll say 'goodnight'. Have a crafty week everyone.