Monday 9 February 2009

Turning a heel.



I am full of nervous energy today and know I won't be able to settle to anything. There are things going on around here, things which could mean change for us as a family, but I won't know if they will go ahead until this evening. This is hard for me as I am not a particularly patient person, but I shall just have to wait...and wait ... and wait.



What a long day this will be. My usual way of coping with that jumpy feeling is to clean, so no doubt the little house will be sparkling like a new pin by tonight, dinner gently cooking away and much knitting/sewing/game playing will have been undertaken to keep my naturally fidgety mind under control.



Knitting is such good therapy for a restless mind. I find there is soothing in the repetitive working of stitches and my mind can ramble on as for much of it as I don't need to concentrate that hard, not even look at the work for some of the time. At the moment I am making a pair of socks for Davey. "Why?" I hear you ask, when they can be bought for a mere pittance at the supermarket. And you would be right, but there is nothing like the feel of something you have worked yourself, the mix of colours and the fact that they will last for years with luck. This wool is a soft mix of greys, brown and charcoal redolent of the granite rocks so abundant throughout Cornwall, and I love it. I have never knitted socks before and am enjoying the challenge, though I think it may be something not everyone would understand judging by the reaction of the girl in the wool shop who informed me with with a bemused and jaded look that 'Sarah will be here on Wednesday and she gets extraodinarily excited by turning a heel!' Just wonderful.



Sarah sounds just my sort of person. I love that I have so many interests in the world of craft and am always ready to try something new. I 'get' why someone can lose whole hours in a fabric shop just gazing and touching, dreaming up new projects, assessing the quality of velvet over tweed and finding them both appealing. I understand how a wall of wool can excite beyond measure suggesting cosy mittens or luxurious scarves to warm on cold days, how the sight of a pattern book can conjure up images of country walks snuggled deep in the folds of the softest of sweaters. I can stare longingly at papers and inks and paints, the myriad colours of soft tissue paper calling to me and boxes of pencils whispering to me to take them, put them to paper, create an image.



I have always been the same and remember having a go at anything and everything as a little girl, the fascination of creating even then being strong in me. I am the same with many things. Gardening and growing is a passion, a necessity to me. All forms of cooking hold so much pleasure too, as does the making of wines, the mixing of cordials. I love them all. I am lucky in that I share my life with my lovely Dave who also gets it all, even recently asking me to teach him to knit. Of course, thanks to the internet I am lucky enough to be able to chat about the merits of cotton over linen, 4 ply against chunky or card over canvas with so many other people who also share these passions. That is why I so so love the world of blogging where like minded friends can be made and projects shared.



Still, I am meandering in my thoughts as I try to push the waiting away. Time to get on with the day and see what evolves; time to start the orders and post them off; time to make and bake and play.



Time to turn a heel.

Have a good day everyone x

23 comments:

  1. I have all the same feelings about wool, material etc. I have even been known to gaze longingly at our sheep imagining all kinds of fabulous projects for their wooly coats. Sadly I am but a hopeless (hamfisted) case and can only look on with admiration and envy at your fabulous knitting. Sigh. Beautiful socks. And good luck with the things which could mean change.

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  2. What beautiful wool that is. I just dont knit, dont know why. I used to when the children were tiny, but would rather spend time on cross stitch now. What do you think about cross stitch socks?

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  3. You are amazing, Pip. I 'get' your excitement about new possibilities when faced with fabrics etc, but socks are beyond me!
    I hope that whatever the news may be that it will be good for you and yours.

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  4. I doubt if I will ever turn a heel - but if it makes you happy, you go for it! Good luck with your plans.

    Tracey

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  5. I've been knitting like mad all new year,and yes I find it soothing. Not been brave enough to turn a heel yet though.
    I hope you get the outcome you want at day's end.
    Toady
    XX

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  6. They are going to be fantastic Pip - and absorbing enough to keep your mind off the mysterious news.

    Love the colours.

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  7. I haven't commented before, but I hope you are waiting for good news!
    As for the socks...can really understand where you are coming from. Last Christmas, at a loss what to give my hubby...he asked for handmade, handloved socks - I showed him a choice of yarns on the beloved internet and he chose a lovely jolly colour scheme and was thrilled to bits with the result. Future Christmases are now angst-free...it'll be a pair a year until forever, bliss for him and me. Go well, stay warm, Sue.x

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  8. Hi Pip, you have me on tenterhooks now wondering what your potential news might be....
    Love that sock wool, fabulous muted colours. I've cast on for socks but you're further along than I am. And I identify here with everything you've written here. Time for a chinwag over coffee, methinks! Will email you...
    Love Diana x
    Ps absolutely bucketing down here...

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  9. You've made me think of my mother. She often knitted woollen stockings for my dad, and when he wore out the heels, she would knit them right back in again.
    The socks are lovely.

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  10. Pipany, the yarn is beautiful, and those socks will be treasures! I began my first sock-knitting project late last fall, and admit that other projects have sort of pushed the initial sock to the side, just before the Turn of the Heel.

    All the various knit, crochet, needlepoint projects that I work on really do serve me much the same purpose that you have described. Stitch by stitch is a good way to slow one's over-heated mind.

    Please don't keep us waiting too long for the news, once you, yourself, know what it is!

    xo

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  11. Hope it's good news or at least news you will be pleased about.
    I agree with everything you said regarding the excitement of places full of yarns, fabric, paints etc. I get lost for hours, feel like I should have a'do not disturb' sign pinned to me!I'm always up for trying new crafts and knitting is a favourite, I'm starting a big crochet project assoon as I can find the yarn, thanks to Attic24

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  12. Ooohh I hope it's nice news - I can't bear to wait for anything either and get all nervy and fidget. Please can you teach me how to knit? Seriously ... I think I would love it and find it really relaxing, but I don't know how to start! I'd better get browsing. Lovely to catch up with you.

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  13. Fabulous sock yarn - I love those muted colours. Handknitted socks are so much nicer than shop bought in every way. Hope your news of change ahead is good!

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  14. Oh God, Pip, now I'm the one who can't settle to anything wondering what your news is that is so unsettling you! I am a strange mix of person who needs change from time to time in my life, but is terrified of it too - and I get very bothered by change in other people's lives because it makes me reassess mine and that's all rather energy sapping and scary!

    Meanwhile...LOVELY socks. Beautiful colours and pattern. I'd buy them like a shot! Lucky Dave. And lucky you for having such a gentle, creative man in your life who UNDERSTANDS!

    Have just flicked through some of your previous blogs and want to thank you for those beautiful beach and sea pictures. It makes me realise, again, how much I love the sea (and Cornwall) and would love to live, permanently, along side it.

    xx

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  15. Hi Pip, What beautiful knitting. I last knitted a sock for a Guide badge when about 12, tons of years ago. I think knitting is wonderful and my fingers are itching to pick up the bag I am making but must do chores first. Pouring with rain here in Sussex. I hope everything is ok and has turned out how you would wish. I am all on tenterhooks for you now. Karenx

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  16. What a beautiful yarn of wool that is Pipany. I am not too good on the knitting, can just about do knit one pearl one though.

    Best of luck with all your future plans, intriqued to know what it may be.

    xx

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  17. What a sweet blog--I just read all the posts that I could and I really enjoy your prose style. I can't even recall how I found you . . . but it was a happy happening! I have bookmarked you so that I can check in from time to time. Best wishes with whatever the possible change to your family may be!

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  18. Oooh, keeping us guessing with the family news? Hope everything works out the way you want it to. Is it very exciting? Gosh, dying to know now.
    Lovely socks, I do so wish I could knit. I'm battling with curtains at the moment, sewing not knitting! And after the next four pairs of curtains I'm trying pyjama bottoms, and then a dress for my niece's wedding. Gulp. Worth a try though!

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  19. Ooh Pip, you are being a Woman of Mystery... hope they are good changes. Is there no end to your creativity? I love the idea of what you are doing so I will admire it from here and not spoil it by trying it myself.. the knitting needles are safe!

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  20. Goodness, how very exciting and intriguing - I hope for you that it brings either a change or sameness that you hope for.

    That's exactly what I do when nervous - clean. It is such a perfect displacement activity.

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  21. Hope it has all worked out fine and love the socks! x

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  22. I would really love some of those knee length, slouchy, thick, hand knitted socks to wear around the house, but with these chubby legs they would look awful on me! I hope your socks turn out looking good, i think they will be ever so comfortable, Dave will have to let us know!

    Aqeela xx

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  23. I love the wool. Gorgeous colours.

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