Hit For Six

I had a couple of squares 'in hand', then knitted two more, so decided to send one of each to Kirsten. She sent me two [by mistake!] 

Top row block #73 – Two Edges
What a boring name! Basically, the finished square has two adjoining edges which include two contrasting stripes , and two edges which don’t.  The square is knitting in a ‘L’ shape – starting with 61 sts all in knit stitch, On every other row, 2 stitches are decreased [one each side of centre , using sl1, k2tog, psso] This creates a diagonal line. The centre stitch on row 1 is the corner between the stripe edges. The final single stitch when all is decreased is the opposite corner. It is the same as K’s “Allsorts” 6 weeks ago. I had a random heathery yarn for the main part, and picked a lilac grey shade and pastel pink for my contrast stripes. On reflection, I think I should have used a much stronger contrast colour for the single row stripe!

Middle Row block #78 – Lattice
Grey/blue yarn left over from a jumper knitting for grandson George when he was much younger! The pattern was easy, simple knit and purl, stocking stitch and garter stitch. Both squares are the same. I like the way that the finished piece looks like a woven lattice. And no slipping, no cables, and no random dye yarns!!   Proving you can create texture with the easiest of patterns.

Bottom Row  Block #54 – Pink Flash
This was a nice, straightforward 4 row repeat, which K knitted originally in purple with turquoise flashes, and then in turquoise with green flashes. She says "The colours remind me of the 1960s, when all kinds of clashing colours suddenly looked fabulous together. Those of us lucky enough to have the new, brightly coloured felt tip pens would infuriate our teachers by underlining dates and titles in our school books three times, in pink and purple, orange and green, etc. I’ve still got my old log tables book from maths lessons, covered in psychedelic paper and stickers. They are no use to me now; it’s just a piece of pure nostalgia." It soon became very clear to her which square she would send me; she was close to binding off when she spotted a mistake about 16 rows back. There were three options; rip out the rows and re-knit? Drop the stitch down to the error and then hook it back up – but – colour work? Or decide it would pass the galloping horse test* and send the other one? It’s hot. Kirsten says she chose option 3! [In fact it was SO hot, she sent both in error]

It has proved too hot for serious knitting this month – but these squares are good for a little bit of relaxing knitting in the evenings. I am surprised how quickly we are both managing to produce our squares, I need to go through my pattern book and note which squares we did when, or we may get repeats. There are dozens more left in the book. I'm avoiding ones with buttons and beads – and still undecided about the lace patterns, and those requiring four 3” square to be stitched together!

*Galloping horse test: would you spot the mistake from a galloping horse? If yes, then Something Has To Be Done About It. If not, then carry on and forget it.
There was a wonderful 'flat gift' in her parcel, which I will reveal tomorrow...thanks K [and I'm  keeping the purple square]

CBBBQ

Not a new kid's TV channel, this means Cornerstones Before BBQ! Bob thought it was about time we did another BBQ for all the neighbours, as so many have moved into the Close in the last couple of years. He produced an invite and I went round delivering them. 

We got the garden ready. The 'grass' is brown and crispy, like everyone else's. We borrowed the Shed Gazebo which will give plenty of shelter from bright sunshine or rain, whichever we have to deal with, and there's the summerhouse too...

Neighbours offered to bring food and drink - and Brian sent some of his humungous tomatoes - some were 7cm across! These have been sliced to go on top of burgers, along with slices of cheese. I made a salad, and some rainbow veg kebabs.

We seem to have plenty of garden chairs these days*. Some years back, we went to a Band Concert at Blickling and beforehand purchased some fancy blue folding chairs. They were not cheap, but Bob wanted ones which were comfortable for 3 hours of sitting, and would take his weight. We have been very pleased with them, and used them a lot [especially at the beach with the family as well as in the garden] On Monday we were at the 'recycle shop' at our local tip, and found this similar tan pair, for £5 only each

Like the blue ones, they have carrybags with useful shoulder straps, and can holders on the right hand side. One is slightly faded, but the do not look like they have been used very much. They have strong well designed frames. And their recommended max weight is 200kg! We are not expecting any 30stone visitors!

* 14 plus lounger, plus 3-seater bench, and if we get more than that, Gloria will pass some of her chairs over the fence. 

And then it was time for the event...

The 4 nearest neighbours arrived on the dot of 6:30, then the heavens opened and for 10 minutes we had rain and thunder. We sheltered in the summerhouse. Then it all stopped, I dried off all the chairs.  10 more people arrived and we had a lovely evening together... Guests brought some great salads and a selection of drinks. Hard work, but worth doing.

So different from last Wednesday's Eclipse Party

Sew Spectacular

A huge thank you to my dear friend Jan in Washington State for sending me a link to this beautiful video. It is 16 minutes long, but you can watch it happily on double speed [and then go back and pick up on the finer details] Marion is a stitcher, up in the north East of England, and does all sorts of crafts, you can follow her on Instagram at Marion's World

Jan sent me the link to M's 'reveal' of a coat she has been working on for three years. She made the coat, dyed the fabric for lining it, then stitched it with the most incredible embroidery of the plants and creatures she loves. I have so enjoyed looking at this video, and continue to be inspired by all the stitchers I have encountered recently, online and in person. Marion's YouTube channel is here with lots more beautiful clips, and she is on Instagram here
We cannot all be Mia Hannson or Marion  but we can do small things, and appreciate the skills of others. Make a cuppa, and settle down to enjoy this one...

Thank you again to Jan - and to Marion too...

Are there any stitches who inspire you?

Drawing Conclusions

Some bloggers are really good at art - Fat Dormouse  often adds a sketch to her posts, as does Kirsten. Sometimes it is a carefully constructed piece, other times a quick 5 minute sketch. But I am just no good at this. I have tried, believe me. In my personal sewing journal, I log all the projects I get involved in [in August I have altered 4 garments for friends and neighbours] but my sketches of these trousers and tops and dresses look nothing like the clothing I have been working on. And as for the garden logbook where I list my produce... Well I only managed six tomatoes this year, and I didn't think the 6 red scribbled circles are that spectacular.
I suspect FD & K would both encourage me by saying it is a practice thing, develop the habit of a 5 minute sketch every day and one will soon be creating great artwork [in my case, probably less Poulencs, more Pollocks!] 
I decided not to give up too soon. So over the weekend,  I marked the "eggs-to-be-used-up-first" with a red sharpie. It's a start...

Any suggestions for improving my drawing will be welcome!

Green Pizza, Red Alert

On Friday evening, we went over to Heydon near Reepham, for "Friday Night Pizza On The Green". Fortunately Jon ordered beforehand, as when we arrived, a sign said "Pizzas sold out" . Clearly it is a popular event. We sat facing the church - below is an older photo - when we were there, there were literally dozens of people sitting around enjoying their food. Family groups, cyclists...Liz took me over to "Folks"at the corner of the green to collect our order. They are open 8-2 Saturday and Sunday for coffee and cakes.

The pizzas were really tasty. Bob and I were grateful we had taken our folding chairs, though! The girls enjoyed ice cream, for dessert.
Then suddenly, there was an alarming noise, as everyone's phones went off with the national wildfire alert. It was quite a surreal moment. We all looked around and smiled nervously at one another.
Complete strangers bound together by one message
Rosie was concerned it meant we were at imminent risk of a nearby fire. We assured her that was not the case. I suppose her only experience of fire alarms would be practices at school, where they have to get up and evacuate the classroom immediately. 
Personally I feel it was a good idea, it certainly alerted us to the importance of keeping safe. But I do appreciate that for others it was upsetting. I note that in Wales there was a bilingual alert [in Welsh first, then English]
My neighbour he was quite frightened by it. I can imagine those living alone might have been alarmed more than alerted. 
Should I pack a Go-Bag? I asked Bob. He didn't think we needed that - but I notice he is starting to updating the household inventory in case of any insurance claims! [yes, I know one should do that every year, but we haven't!

Thinking of all those people who have really suffered with the damage caused by wildfires. Keep safe everybody!

Thank You For Bold , Brilliant Women

 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Mothers' Union, by Mary Sumner, a rector's wife in Hampshire. She had a passsion for supporting mothers and families, and for tackling both local and global issues, to make the world a better place. This was one of the first women-led movements. Mary believed that faith and compassion could transform lives. I found a plate in a CS in Dorset, with her personal daily prayer on it.  

All this day, O Lord
let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;
and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken
whether through the word I speak,
the prayer I breathe, or the life I live.
Amen

Last week, BBC Sunday Worship celebrated this anniversary. I was very taken with the words of the prayers…

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the bold, brilliant women you’ve created – full of sparkle, spirit and strength!
Thank you for the quiet warriors and the loud laughers, the organisers, the dreamers, the givers of grace.
We praise you for the creativity that bursts out of women all over the world through art, leadership, love and laughter
Bless every woman leading change today, - in boardrooms, kitchens, parliaments and playgrounds.
Let joy rise in their hearts and strength in their souls.
Loving God, Creator, Sustainer and Source of all grace,
We thank you for the gift of Mothers’ Union
A fellowship of faith, rooted in love, reaching across the world.
 
Thank you for every hand that serves, for hearts that give
For lives poured out in quiet faithfulness.
Thank you for families given rest, for prisoners supported,
For the lonely offered friendship and for the weary shown kindness.
Thank you for the prayers said, the stories shared, the things knitted, the bread broken-  for lives touched and communities renewed.
And we ask your continued blessing on this holy and healing work –  AMEN

We have a MU Group locally, involved in all sorts of projects. They are bright, friendly women, doing Good Stuff! Long may the MU continue its good work. Grateful for Mary's vision all those years ago.

Heavens Above!

Earlier in the week, a friend posted on WhatsApp that he had just been to the optician, who had advised watching the eclipse 'safely' using a mobile phone. Bob said he'd got a piece of appropriate glass to look through. Steph said Jacob had made a pinhole viewer. Then the BBC, NASA  and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists said it was not a good idea to use phones [could damage both your gadgets and your eyes!] Liz, Jon and girls came over at 6.15. Wednesday

Bob showed Jess all the equipment we had ready
1 piece of welder's glass

3 colanders and pieces of dark card

4 cardboard pinhole viewers

and a camera on a tripod don't touch it!

Bob was hoping to use his kit to take a photograph of the eclipse safely.

I had arranged the chairs facing the workshop. Ro and Jess took to walking backwards in case they inadvertently looked up at the sun! The progress of the eclipse seemed very slow to all the grandchildren in Norfolk and Manchester. 

The pinhole viewers took a bit of maneouvering [but they did work well if you could manage them]

Rosie described 'waxing crescents' and Jess picked up a phrase from her Dad about 'a fingernail of sunlight' 

We did our best to make the experience both educational and fun for the children.

Jacob and George held their colander in front of the garden seating, and got hundreds of mini eclipses. 

Bob managed to get a photograph using his glass and his camera. Then he went off to check on the firepit. 

This week, we have introduced the girls to s'mores. Toasting marshmallows on skewers seemed more interesting than squinting at the skies...

But after they'd all gone, Bob and I went back out into the garden at midnight and watched the Perseids Meteor Shower. It was fabulous...

Rosie actually put down her s'mores for another look at the eclipse "Look, there's the sun!" she shouted

How blessed we are, to be able to watch these wonders of nature together. Psalm 8 [from The Message] says

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewellery,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?