A Return to Normality.

So, the pain that is the Tax Return is now done and life feels free and carefree once more. How sad it is that I put this task off every year and yet actually enjoy doing it when I finally have no choice. Actually, on reflection perhaps the enjoyment of it is the sad part in that sentence? Whatever, it is done and I can return - see what I did there? - to life as I know it: design commissions pending; orders continuing to roll in; Mothering Sunday round the corner and my journal in the Notonthehighstreet Spring Gift Guide due out soon. Busy, busy.

Oh, and then I found my knitting calling....

A skein of the most beautiful hand-dyed wool which I can't remember the name of now, but it came from here rather a long while ago. The colour is just amazing with a dense squashed blackberryness to it mixed with velvet and flecks of deepest purple. Does that help?

And so the paperwork was put to one side for a little longer in order that I might cast on for these pretty fingerless mittens. The pattern is called Veyla and is one of the wonderful designs by the equally prettily named Ysolde Teague, available here. I just love this picture.

Photographing oneself is always a challenge don't you find? I should have got the tripod out, etc but then, if I were capable of such effort I wouldn't be fooling around with knitting at all when I should be working would I? I found it quite funny trying to get a shot which didn't make my arm look too disembodied or impaled on spiked needles, but in the end this was the best I could do.

The mittens have a certain elegance with dainty picot edging to the buttoned cuffs and a delicately lacy leaf pattern. Too dark this morning to show the depth of this gorgeously rich yarn here or the beauty of the patterning. Maybe when they are finished I may just take the time to photograph them properly but in the meantime my hands are snuggled daily by my gift from Jane who has kindly popped the pattern for her mittens over here

So much knitting inspiration (thank you dear Kate for your wonderful Pinterest boards where I while away too many moments!) and so little time. Have I given you enough places to visit when you should be working yet?

Now, I really must do some work ... or perhaps I'l knit a round or two first. Well, it is cold after all! x

A Giveaway Gift.

Look what arrived in the post for me! I won a consolation prize in Jane's recent giveaway and it came in the form of this beautiful soft green knitted heart and Jane even popped in a packet of California poppies too.



Look at the even stitches (so unlike my own erratic knitting where stitch tension depends on mood - cross/watching tense film/annoyed/excited all equal fast knitting whereas calm/sleepy/thoughtful equal slow knitting, thus a changing tension throughout!). Jane's is even and lovely.



Who is the numpty in the back of this picture? I love the dainty button and am so thrilled with the whole package. Thank you, dear Jane.



Last night's torrential rain has given way to sunshine and the colours of the fallen leaves gleam as though polished, raindrops glistening on the edges of burnished jewels.



I am waiting for the maple to turn and have this picture from last autumn to remind me how beautiful it will be before shedding its leaves once more for the winter sleep.



Golds and soft browns are all around, catching the sun and echoing the colours in the various apple trees dotted around the garden.



Speaking of which, I really must get on and do something with these before they turn to mush. Chutney or wine? Apple pie or crumble? Hmm...



Perhaps I'll just have another slice of sticky gingerbread before deciding. Just one more and then I'll put the lid on the box so that the spicy smell of ginger, cinnamon, cloves and zingy lemon rind don't tempt me anymore. May have to make another batch I think!



What are you up to today? x