Still knitting

It has been noticed recently (by my lovely niece) that I haven't blogged about knitting much lately. So I thought I'd give you an update.

I'm currently knitting a jumper using some beautiful yarn that I bought in Paris a couple of years ago from Lil Weasel - a gorgeous knitting boutique in a very French shopping arcade.

The yarn is incredibly soft and light so I'm attempting to make a slouchy top in one piece to avoid spoiling the drape with seams. I'm making the pattern up as I go along however, so success is far from assured!

On the Pleasure of Pym

While on holiday recently, I read these two Barbara Pym novels. I've always loved Pym's writing - even though her novels are very much mid-twentieth century, the silliness of academic egos and surburban etiquette that she writes about are still very relevant to my life today. These novels are from opposite ends of Pym's career - Crampton Hodnet was the first novel she wrote in the 1940s (although it wasn't published until the 1980s after her death) and An Academic Question was written in the 1970s. But both novels are warm and witty and explore human failings so affectionately. I love the way she gently pokes fun at the pomposity of the well-educated and on the tangles that even the most serious and sensible can get into about the appropriateness of a brightly-coloured dress.  

Highland Adventure

Just back from our Highland adventure where we walked up and down mountains, through gorges and waterfalls. The landscape is incredible.

We managed to do Ben Nevis early on in the trip. Here's the start of the path...

 

... half-way...

 

... nearly there...

 

... to find snow at the summit!

We also took the ferry to the Isle of Rum, pop. 42. Mark was briefly tempted to give it all up and make it pop. 44 but the midges and lack of shops (one shop that only opens for 2 hours a day - and that's during high season!) put me off.

But while walking through the Nevis gorge on our last day, I realised just how much I was falling for the Scottish Highlands - we'll certainly go back.

summertime

Just got back from a lovely week in Cornwall, where we swam in the exotically aqua ocean at Carbis Bay and went for long walks along the South West Coastal path. We patted dogs of all shapes and sizes, including the 'rock dog' (a very useful landmark on the walk from St Ives to Zennor) and this crazy woolly dog with a skinny tail, who lives in an idyllic fisherman's cottage in Penberth Cove. Wish I lived there too...

Put Some Effort In!

My job involves a lot of sitting at a computer, either at home or in the office, so as the academic year has come to an end it has been lovely to get outside and do something more active.

During May I joined three of my colleagues in training for the Bewdley 'Pub and Club' Regatta, which involved five one-hour rowing lessons on the River Severn before we rowed in the Regatta on June 1st. We were knocked out in the first heat but I think we rowed really well! 

Rowing is hard work and while some of our training sessions were on beautifully sunny afternoons, most of them were on wet, cold evenings when the last thing we wanted to do was mess about in boats. The day itself was warm but the river was fast-flowing after a lot of rain. The cox kept yelling 'put some effort in' and I can tell you that we all did!

As if my arms, legs, back and hands hadn't had enough by then, I spent the following week in the garden doing a job I've wanted to do for a year. Since we laid some turf over a large patch of ground that was left after Mark had dismantled an old out-building brick by brick (he literally has the scars to prove it), I've been wanting to shape the lawn. The fine weather and the quietness at the office has meant that I've finally had the time to do it. 

It was fiendishly difficult but at least the previous week's rain had softened the ground. After cutting the one half in a pleasingly organic curve, I kept having to run into the house to look out of an upstairs window to check that the other side matched! So, in the past few weeks I've learnt how to row, my garden is finally coming together and I've slept like a log!

On a Roll

Just finished these pj pants - it took me about a day from tracing the pattern pieces to finishing the hems. I'm getting much quicker!

I've not made trousers before so this is another first. I was surprised at how easy they were and I'll certainly be making more. These were from the cropped wide-leg pant pattern in Simple Modern Sewing and I'm inspired to try the long belted-pant pattern now - perhaps in linen?

But, for now, I've bought some denim to make a dress next...

Out of Office

I'm on leave this week so I've finally got some time to get on with my crafting projects. Spent yesterday afternoon and this morning sewing this smock top. I cut the pieces out weeks ago but just haven't had a decent run of time to make it until now.

It was a bit fiddly but I really took my time and made the effort to tack it all together before letting loose on the machine - and I'm really glad that I did. It probably saved me time because I didn't have to use the seam-ripper once! This is the first time I've set in sleeves and I'm very pleased with their neatness.

The neckline required some finessing though - the gathered bit was much longer than it should have been so I had to gently pleat it into place before inserting the elastic.

It's a lovely soft fabric and I think I'm going to enjoy wearing it.