Hello, dear knitters and crocheters, and runners, and my mum, and people who inexplicably landed here whilst searching for a blog about oxyacetylene welding. Come and sit with me beside the fire, because it’s way too cold out there.

I hope you’ve brought your yarn. (No, please don’t start oxyacetylene welding in my sitting room. The blog you’re looking for is that way. –> )

I’ve been reading about all sorts of bonkers meteorological shenanigans lately, from brain-melting heat in Australia to crazy-deep snow in continental Europe. And us, here in the UK? We’ll we’ve had a hint-and-a-quarter of snow:-

Yup, that’s the extent of our winter so far. But at least those emerging bulbs promise some colour in the imminent-to-near future. Having planted well over a thousand spring bulbs in the autumn, it’s fun to watch them emerge at last and wave their fronds in the air like they just don’t care:-

At least, I hope they don’t care, because things are AT LAST feeling quite wintery around here. Everything in the wildlife pond is hunkering down.

And whilst some of you will have a different opinion, the twinnage and I JUST WANT SOME PROPER SNOW! (The runner in me isn’t so keen on snow, but the child in me is louder.) I can’t help wishing ‘the winter of 2018-19’ will be the one that people talk about for the next five years or so. But I’m not unreasonable. I wouldn’t want it to be the one that you’re not allowed to mention for decades to come for fear of folk going quiet and shaking their heads at the terrible, frostbite-ridden, memories.
The online forecasts keep dangling snowflakes so tantalizingly close, only to cruelly snatch them away again at a few hours’ notice. In my less reasonable moments, I can’t help but view this as some kind of breach of contract. You PROMISED me a blizzard!
Anyway.

Shall we get back to the yarn?
I’m working hard on my knitted underwater/underground picture, and I long for the day when I can finally cut the steek and reveal the whole thing.

It’s fun, knitting this thing. Every item in the picture has a story behind it, but I’ll save those stories for the final ta-da.

Except for the pike. There is no story behind the pike. I just wanted to include it:-

And – I shouldn’t tell you this yet – there are some crazy-exciting things rumbling away in the background that, all being well, I’ll be able to tell you about soon. Please forgive my silence on the subject for now.

Meanwhile, I’ve been back in the studio, advising on a knit-related photoshoot for KnitIQ. How on earth was a lass to pass the time between shots?! Oh wait…

So that’s been my week. What about yours? Is your yarnery progressing beautifully? Please do feel free to show it off here.
There’s me thinking last winter was the one they will talk about. That is a piece of art. Can’t wait to see it all finished.
You are making something wonderful here. I will keep following to see what comes next!
Your underwater scene looks marvellous – I’m excited to see the finished product and hear the stories behind everything except the Compulsory Pike. As I exist on the other side of the world, I’m currently in the middle of the aforementioned Summer (although it’s not too hot – just 40C expected today), so of course I’m knitting all of the things. I’m finishing off the button band for one cardigan and I’ve simultaneously started two others (although one is short-sleeved, so it’s almost appropriate for the season). It’s always a good time for knitting and a cuppa, no matter what the temperature might be!
As a beginner at crochet, I made 4 granny squares this week, I also started a new project got 8 rows in (160 stitched per row)… only to discovered I’d twisted it into a mobius strip… so I jerked it off the needles and spent the next 2.5 hours, untangling the huge knot of yarn I created… I saved the yarn and started again, correctly this time and I’m almost back to where I was 2 days ago… I think I’ll go paint something now. It’s 65 F or 18 C at 8:30 at night here, so no snow in South Carolina yet, lots up North of us, but none here. My roses are still blooming too.
Harry will be wondering why his oxyacetylene welding blog is receiving so many hits (yes, I just had to click the link!).
As usual wonderful, shame there was no welding.
Once upon a time a King lost his ring and he was heart broken. It was a beautiful ring given to him by his wife on their wedding day. Sometime later he held a banquet for visiting nobles. The first course was a magnificent PIKE. The King took the honour of serving it to his guests. As he cut through the PIKE imagine his surprise for there was his Ring. Then he recalled he had gone for a ride by the river and it was shortly after that he had missed his ring. Hence forth he declared the place where I lost the Ring shall be called. Pike A Ring, and as we know it today Pickering, of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Just saying…..
Love it !
Such a good story!
That’s no story, that’s what really really happened.
Maybe..!
My younger son is with you on the deplorable lack of snow! (I must say I am too, but not too loudly cos everyone who drives will hate me!) I just love your underground/underwater knit and can’t wait to see what happens next 🙂
Your underwater scene is coming along beautifully. Will love to see it once it’s done. You are such an excellent designer of your own projects! Love your work!
What an amazing knitting project! Have you drafted all the designs yourself? They are wonderful.
Your underwater knitting is turning out beautifully! Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Looking forward to the unveiling! It’s so amazing now! Looking forward to the stories behind the items in the water. Your blog is very entertaining and fun!
Love the Hellebore in your garden photo, beautiful colour. I have a white one, with aphids because no snow and very little frost where we live. Also one the label says is red. I’m waiting. Maybe it’s waiting for the frost to finally finish off the aphids on the white one!
Right, off to learn the theory of oxyacetylene welding.
I have reached the bottom of one sleeve on a sweater (jumper to you) which I’ve had on needles for about three years! That’s my exciting week’s work here in Oregon where we’re still waiting for winter.
I love your work, I am not were near brave or confident enough to try anything like what you have on your needles right now
So good!
We must, MUST, meet for the long talked about lunch soon. After we’ve dug ourselves igloos and fashioned ice bars….
YES PLEASE!!!
My yarnery is nothing next to yours, but I’m enjoying it and that’s what counts, right?
I’m trying desperately to catch up with all the posts I’ve missed and hopefully I’ll get there in time to read all the stories behind your picture. I love a good backstory!