‘Hey, the fruit looks ready for picking…’

‘Hey, the fruit looks ready for picking…’

Ah, September. The start of the academic year. The chance of some good weather, or at least better than August. The meteorological start of autumn, my favourite season, which signifies the bringing in of the harvest; for me that’s apples, pears and late-developing peaches. However, the days of hovering under a tree in flip flops, wearing shorts, tee-shirt and sun glasses, with outstretched cupped hands and an over-enthusiastic penchant for apple crumble have long gone. Too many pairs of glasses…

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Screen Saver

Screen Saver

New phone, new worry – how to avoid scratching the screen.  Solution?  A knitted phone cozy, of course!  Thanks to Charlotte Nash  this simple but effective pattern is great in itself but can be adapted, as you can see…                

Bunting, Bunting Everywhere

Bunting, Bunting Everywhere

Bunting is IN.  Everywhere I look there’s red, white and blue bunting; floral print fabric bunting; multi-coloured PVC bunting; paper bunting; Liberty print bunting; Vintage doily, print, postcard, sheet music and map bunting; spotty bunting, striped bunting; wooden, ceramic and hessian bunting; themed bunting, even Star Wars and Pride and Prejudice bunting – but no knitted bunting.  Well, not any more… There are a number of patterns and styles available and I chose this one for its simplicity and the…

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Dawn Raid Foiled by Great British Slipper

Dawn Raid Foiled by Great British Slipper

The night had been humid. Storms were expected. The windows were wide, devouring what cool air there was like a frog catching flies. Awoken by the rhythmic notes of bird song, I began to tune in to the regular tap-tapping I’d heard in the dawn hours over the past weeks. In that early morning dozing state, I dreamed that my neighbour was knocking at my door while his wife operated a pneumatic drill in the street. I turned my back…

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All the World’s a Stage

All the World’s a Stage

We join the road from a small river-side track and are hit with the most unexpected view.  A former chateau in 16th century France, this fairytale castle, Chateau de Chailly, is now an exclusive hotel for golf enthusiasts, among manicured greens, freshly-swept bunkers and immaculately-groomed hedges. We sit on a bench of the side of rue Caillot Charrière, savouring our baguette and cheese, drinking in the Disney scene. While our knees slowly stiffen after cycling close on 10 miles, we…

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It’s a Waiting Game

It’s a Waiting Game

Yes, I know, 1.30 pm on a Sunday is not the best time to go to the supermarket. It’s the window for the weekly shop or for legging-clad girls on a flying visit straight from aerobics. It’s for middle-aged husbands looking for alfresco lunch ingredients, and for young dads, sometimes alone and sometimes accompanied by the children.  I smile at the hen-pecked husbands, ringing home to check if Greek Kalkidis olives will be OK as ‘they’re out of Spanish Couchillo’….

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Eggs à la Mode

Eggs à la Mode

Boiled egg gone cold? Then you need one of these. Fashionable and functional, easy to customize, they’re a very satisfying make.  This design, Pearly Girly, by Gina Alton, had an Audrey Hepburn air about it and inspired me to make three beaded cozies for three girlies using DK yarn and 4mm needles. Following the original pattern, I amended the embellishment to suit the materials to hand and they were ‘egg-cellent’ Easter gifts. I found the pattern in a brilliant little…

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Coasters on Demand

Coasters on Demand

With another pair of tea cup coasters and more compliments under my belt, I was flattered to get requests for another couple of sets from my French friend – for her mother-in-law and her neighbour. At the risk of being boring, here they are…