This River Stole (done on smaller needles, like streetsandyos did here) has been a staple this winter, (along with the jade coloured Ballon Scarf from Scarf Style, which I knitted the winter before). It’s incredibly warm - that’ll be the mohair - and even though I don’t normally wear much yellow or gold, it works really well with the reds, damsons, and turquoises that make up most of my wardrobe.Another firm favourite is my pair of Fetchings that I knitted in November.

 These (along with another pair that Liz knit me for Christmas), have been worn pretty much every single day of winter - either while running erands or when we’re out for our early morning walk. I lengthened the finger part, which keeps more of my fingers warm when it gets really cold. They are knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran - which has held up suprisingly well (given that mixed fibres tend to pill pretty quickly.)I’ve also been wearing the hat my friend Abby* designed. But until she desides if she’s going to get it published or not I can’t photograph it. :(

(* - hey Abby - look I’m pimping your upholstery blog!)

Also finished - but not shown till now - are a pair of DK weight socks that used up the left over yarn from Theo’s Jumper.

 They are knit toe up, on 4mm (I think) - and have become my house socks of choice. :)(I have a real soft spot for DK weight socks. They are usually pretty strong, nice and thick, for padding about the house, and knit up in no time. Plus I always have half DK balls around the place just waiting to be made into stripes. I can see myself making more variations on this pair - in fact I’m suprised I haven’t done so already.)

 I also knit these, from an Angora/Merino mix by Touch Yarns which I picked up at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London. (I’m currently using up the rest of the skein to try and squeeze out another pair of trainer socks. *fingers crossed.)

 These were knit using the yarn that my mother-in-law brought back from the US for me. The pattern was something I just concocted with the help of a stitch dictionary. Another pair of thicker house socks - much needed given that only the bedroom and stairs of our house are carpeted.So there you go! I did keep myself busy while I was away. (In fact there are more FOs that just need photoing.)

In other news, my secret project took a leap forwards this week, which was very exciting. *beams*

Oh Sufjan Stevens…

Here are this year’s peas, growing nicely in front of our balcony window. (Actually this was taken on friday - they’re each a couple of inches high now, despite the grey weather outside.)

I can’t believe it’s March already. Luckily W has been on a complete planting drive, so most of the vegetable for this year are already in pots, just waiting to grow bit enough to be transplanted outside in the next month or so.

This year: more squashes (which I love, and we eat regularly), but no sweetcorn (since they all got eatten by the wildlife - we’re going to give it a break for a year or two and then try again).

Also the blueberry bush is starting to flower, and the raspberries still really me to finish giving them a serious trim, before they grow too much.

This is yarn destined* to be a Kiri shawl as a birthday present to my granny in May, from 21st Century Yarn, here in Oxfordshire. (Great company).

*(*cough* by destined I mean actually is. I’ll post photos of it next time. :)

The Bluestocking had a Kiri-along last month, and there were some great finished shawls. Liz made an incredible white angora version, while Abby knit her’s in chunky weight - which gave it a completely different feel, and looked equally fab.

(Aliki - are their photos of your shawl online too?)

Lastly - W has been using the workroom pretty much exclusively, which means it’s just become a dumping ground for me. However over the last couple of weeks I’ve been having a good tidy up, and this weekend I could actually get some sewing done. Which is great since I really wanted to make a new pencil case.

I only had a long zip, but I think - after some crafty on-the-fly changes, it’s made it even better that my original idea. On the inside there are now triangular sides, which hold the case open when it’s unzipped all the way, which means it’s impossible to lose something at the very bottom of the bag. And by using it, it mean EVERYTHING to do with the case came out of my stash! :)

And with that I think I’ll go reply to some emails. :)

Wow. I didn’t mean to be away for that long. Truely.

I spent about four months at Bluestockings saying ‘yes! No really! *This* week! I’ll post something tomorrow!’ and then didn’t.

And then Liz pointed out that when you come here, the first thing you see is ‘Poo!’ and really it was high time I either posted or gave up.

So why have I been away?

Well I’ve been working hard setting up two businesses. I’m very excited about them, and hopefully I can start talking about that here soon. But at the moment I have to keep shtum.

Also the writing side of my internet life took off again late last autumn and that’s been taking up a big chunk of my free time.

However, on the whole, nothing has really changed. I’m still knitting (a lot) and sewing (in fits), and have a load of finished objects in the wings.

I’ve been walking most mornings with W by the river near where we live, and it’s been really great to see leaves slowly appear, and follow the series of spring flowers as they each get their day in the sunshine.

And with spring in the air, on sunday I suddenly got the urge to make chocolate nests, using wheatabix and fair trade chocolate eggs I found in our local co-op. I’m planning to make more at the weekend (and stretch the mixture further next time).