Lochs, Blether & Lace

Lochs, Blether & Lace

Hi everyone. Thanks for joining me once again in the beautiful 

Glenkens of SW Scotland.

Early autumn fruitfulness

Apologies for the long delay in posting my blog. My laptop died suddenly but I had to stay positive that at least it happened before I started my next Open University module. I am about to start the second half of year two of my design degree and I am looking forward to a practical design module with lots of hands on creative drawing and modelling.

The summer holiday weeks always seem to stretch out and then suddenly disappear. Now that the wee ones are back at school I have had time to gather my thoughts into some sort of coherent form after the long lazy days of summer. As my youngest has just started primary school I have been left feeling a little sad for the loss of not having a little one at home with me during the day for the first time for 13 years! I found my first day alone involved feeling almost redundant. I ended up gathering up each of my children's favourite toys to sit and keep me company until they came home from school. It got me through a hard day.

As I now have a little longer in the day for venturing for extended dog walks I have started looking at new routes for myself and Alfie (the pedestrian Collie dog) to walk/ hike. One of my regular drives takes me through the Galloway Forest Park and past Murray's Monument and Buck Loup/ Foot Loup waterfalls. 



It was a bit of a grey 'dreich' day but still warm when I pulled on my battered walking boots and ventured out on this 3.5km circular walk. 

Starting with a walk to see the waterfall in full flow given the amount of rainfall we've had, Alfie and I climbed up the steep track up to Murray's Monument. Due to recent tree felling there are really excellent hill views. 

Dropping behind the monument and following the circular route leads to the Old Edinburgh Road (an old medieval pilgrim route leading from St. Ninian's cave near Whithorn). Black Loch comes into view and we passed through old stone sheep pens where you need to look carefully for the sculpted faces artwork (called Quorum by Matt Baker). 

The path runs alongside a burn and then steeply uphill to overlook the Wild Goat Park and across to Murray's Monument before dropping back towards the car park and waterfall. A really lovely and varied walk.

Loch Stroan from the old railway viaduct

We really are spoilt for choice of wonderful lochs and hills around here in the beautiful Glenkens. I have recently also visited Loch Stroan by walking along the old disused railway trackbed from Mossdale. Such a shame that this was one of the routes lost in the Dr. Beeching cuts in the 1960s. It would be a vital link for local communities and wonderful tourist route if open today. In fact there is some talk about trying to reopen some stretches between Dumfries and Stranraer. If you continue the walk over Stroan Viaduct you go past an old abandoned water pumping station for the old 'Paddy' line - Loch Skerrow Halt. I have yet to get that far along. This is a wonderful walk to forage for apples, sloe and rowan berries and also rosehips.

Soggy doggie!

A couple of weeks ago I nearly got stuck in a bog at Polmaddy - the site of a deserted village settlement dating from the early 16th century. Only some of the stone outlines of houses, kilns, byres and barns remain. Alfie was bouncing through the boggy fields without a care in the world while his owner hauled herself out! Sadly it was simply too wet to get a decent picture (apart from the dog).

I took a beautiful and very peaceful walk in Corriedoo Forest last week, giving me the chance to finally visit Loch Howie and Loch Brack. I had never ventured that far along the track before and until recently access was difficult due to construction of a large wind farm up on Black Craig above. The day I walked there was not a soul to be seen. Taking a magical and overgrown side track I suddenly was rewarded with the calm and peaceful sight of Loch Howie. Spider webs were laced across the tall grass and bejewelled in dew that looked like diamonds. The turbines above turned almost silently and looked like sentinels guarding the countryside. 

Loch Howie

Taking a different path led me along to Loch Brack. This loch is smaller and Alfie took great delight in jumping in and trying to catch the splashes of water. He is obsessed with water!

Loch Brack with the wind turbines above

Spot the dog!

Walking back along the forestry track my eyes were drawn to a glowing red mushroom in the woods. A single shaft of bright sunlight had penetrated the dark canopy of the trees and landed right upon it. The more I looked the more mushrooms I saw. It was like a scene from Alice In Wonderland where I half expected the Cheshire cat to appear! This really felt like a magical walk.

My walk yesterday is a local favourite that takes me up the hill that overlooks St. John's Town of Dalry. I never tire of this view across the fields to Mulloch Hill and the hills beyond of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. Usually there are a few local 'faces' to greet me in the fields.

Descending back down the hill there are usually wonderful views of Corserine and the Rhinns of Kells. They were a bit hazy today and my camera does not do this view any sort of justice.

Before this turns into a tourist brochure for Dumfries & Galloway (though you really should visit if you can)... lets visit the crafty section of my blog!

My crafting world:

Given the amount of time since my last blog there has been quite a bit of crafting going on. I have been reviving some of the crafts that have been languishing for too long in forgotten cupboards and bags. I have reminded myself how to do bobbin lacemaking and tatting. Some of my previous WIPs are 'on hold' awaiting new yarn supplies. Not many FI's to show for my hard work sadly. Too many projects, too little time...


WIPs:-


(i) I have been greatly inspired by Amy of the Noble Character Crafts podcast with her Vintage MAL. She threw down the gauntlet by suggesting that crafters have a go at making items from 'vintage' patterns. Namely anything before 1999. If that is vintage I most definitely feel old! Anyway, as the bobbin lacemaking book I have was published in 1992 and demonstrates patterns that are not only decades but centuries old I felt that they certainly qualified. The book by Doris Southard is called 'Lessons in Bobbin Lacemaking'. It introduces you stage-by-stage to different stitches and techniques.

My lace pillow with wooden bobbins, complete with spangles.

Examples of my lace. 'Crown and Triangle' and 'Brussels I'

(ii) I have also been revisiting tatting (as mentioned in my June 2019 blog 'A Breath of Fresh Air...'). This is like a cross between crochet, lacemaking and macrame on a very small scale. You use a small shuttle wound with fine thread to make tiny knotted stitches and loops. These can then be used as lace type embellishments on cuffs, collars, handkerchiefs, etc. As you can see the scale is very small and my eyes were protesting so much I had to give up for a while. 

(iii) I decided to join in with the 'Esha' KAL using the beautiful Shetland Lace pattern by A Passion for Lace. This is my first piece of Shetland lace and I have to say that the going is very slow as I am having to be so careful with counting and working with such a delicate halo style yarn. I am using Rowan's Kidsilk Haze - a  gorgeous 70% Mohair/ 30% Silk yarn, knitted on KnitPro Nova 2.25mm circular needles. Given the amount of work that will go into this project I wanted it to be made with a special yarn worthy of a keepsake heirloom piece. I chose a lovely natural green shade as it has become my favourite colour recently. Maybe it is being surrounded by so much nature?!

Three pattern panels in and I'm getting the hang of it (I hope!)

(iv) I have just started the Stylecraft Yarns 'Sunstar' blanket CAL. After completing Attic 24's 'Dune' blanket earlier this year I decided that I would like to make a blanket for each of my children's beds. The blanket uses Stylecraft's Special DK 100% Acrylic yarns. Torn between wanting to make an affordable blanket (that would withstand the rigours of a childhood bedroom) and trying to avoid to use plastic based yarns, I decided to compromise for making a blanket to be loved and cherished for many years to come, rather than being a single use plastic item destined for landfill. This shows progress after the first two parts of the CAL have been published.

(v) Last year I could not knit socks. I longed to join in on the 'StrictlySockAlong2018' (hosted by Ali of the Little Drops of Wonderful podcast). This year I am now in a position to make the 'Cha Cha Chevron' socks (pattern by Sandra of Cherry Heart) and join in this year's fun. The idea is to cast on the socks and knit them whilst watching BBC1's 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Major cheating and rule bending is encouraged though if you read Ali's Ravelry thread! I started mine on the launch night and knitted some while my daughter was watching it on catch-up TV. Progress so far is good. I am thrilled to be able to make them using one of Winwick Mum's colourways produced by West Yorkshire Spinners in their Signature 4ply range. This is the 'Seascape' shade. I am using KnitPro Zing 2.5mm dpn needles. I am keen to try the double circular needle method soon to compare techniques.

(vi) When is a WIP not a WIP? When it has been 'frogged' back. I wanted to show you anyway as I am about to restart the project using finer threads and needles. This is an example of Sanquhar knitting and originated very close by in Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway. This is the 'Duke' version of the type of patterns motifs traditionally used. This pattern is published by the Scottish Women's Institute (and can be found on their website). The knitting is very dense but in my case my yarn was too thick and I obviously knit a bit looser than required. Traditionally a 2 ply wool yarn is used (mine previously was 3 ply). I will be going down to KnitPro Karbonz 1.75mm needles (eek!) from 2.0mm ones. I am going to try using Jamieson & Smith's 100% Shetland wool 2 ply Lace weight yarn, paired with Rowan Fine Lace 80% baby Suri Alpaca/ 20% fine Merino wool (probably held double). The glove was simply too large and I wanted to make a pair of warm and hardwearing gloves ready for dog walking in the biting winter winds we sometimes get up here (who am I kidding... we get them regularly!).

FIs:-


(i) I completed a Virus shawl in Schoppel Zauberball Crazy [75% superwash wool (Patagonia virgin wool)/ 25% nylon]. I think it is called Gartenparty, Shade: 1228369 and is sock weight yarn if I have read it correctly (420m/ 100g, needle size 2-3mm). My lovely daughter modelled it for me. I loved every minute of working with this lovely yarn. The constant changes in colour kept me feeling excited as to what might be coming next and the pattern repeat is easy to remember.

(ii) Another first for me was to make a pair of mittens in fine colourwork. In this case I had admired greatly the 'Skandinavia' mitts with the traditional nordic Selbu rose design. The pattern is by the talented Lill-Iren of Nordic Stitches. It was a pleasure to make them. I used Adriafil Azzurra (70% wool/ 30% acrylic) yarn and 2.25mm KnitPro Zing dpns. I struggled a little to get the thumb inserts neat and keep the pattern correct but all of these projects are learning curves and I am sure my next ones will be much better.

(iii) I completed another pair of socks, 'Lilli's Vanilla Socks' pattern, by Lill-Iren of Nordic Stitches. I used (for cuff, heel and toe) John Arbon's Exmoor sock (85% Exmoor Blueface wool/ 15% Nylon) superwash light 4ply yarn and also Regia 4-fadig Tweed sock yarn (70% superwash wool/ 25% polyamide/ 5% viscose). I really felt like I had got the hang of sock making basics on this project and was ready to move onto textured socks.

For my birthday this year I was kindly given a book that was recommended by Kathryn of 'Crafternoon Treats' in her recent podcast about natural dyeing. It is called 'Wild Colour' by Jenny Dean. I am so excited to think that soon I can hopefully start experimenting using the nature surrounding me as a source of colour palette for my crafting.

I did complete a baby item (top secret, hush, hush) and have just got some yarn to get on with knitting a new Fair Isle Fisherman's Kep (knitted colourwork). Work on the Gansey will have to wait for man sized yarn funding and a gap in my WIP pile!! I am also really excited to have been offered a table at one of my local Christmas Craft fairs. This will be first time I attempt to sell some of my homemade items. I am working on some sewing projects for that at present and coming up with some nice Christmas gifts ideas.

'Sharing The Love'

I call this section 'Sharing The Love'. I want to grow my blog within the wonderful crafting community I have found online on Ravelry, YouTube and Instagram. I thought that each week I would share one of my favourite sites so that you can also go and visit them. To help me grow my site (and help me in my future plans to set up an online textile design business) could I ask that when you visit them you mention that I sent you their way? Thank you so much xx

The Last Homely House East of the Sea: I have recently been introduced to Kate's lovely YouTube channel. Her vlogs are really lovely, creative and chatty (plus I love her Tolkien reference to her home). Quilting, cooking, bees, cats... who could ask for more? I am catching up with her previous videos at present and love them so far. You find her also on IG, she has a Patreon site and an online shop.

'Another Love'

(aka The music, book, podcast section where I share my other passions in life)

Go Gently with Michael Nobbs: Podcaster/ YouTube channel

To combat a couple of bad episodes of anxiety I have been purposefully trying to engage in positive and gentle activities (alongside crafting). I've taken up yoga and music again. I have also been listening to a couple of new podcasts. One in particular is great to listen to whilst walking the dog. Michael Nobbs has a gentle and calming voice and I love his observations of the natural world, weather and activities that seem insignificant and get lost in the mad rush of life. Michael takes pleasure in such things and you feel yourself slowing down and feeling calmer for listening.  

Foot of the Mountain by A-ha 

Released: June 2009 Produced by: A-ha, Steve Osborne, Mark Saunders, Roland Spremberg, Erik Ljunggren

Album: Foot of the Mountain Label: We Love Music, Polydor, Universal

I find it hard to choose music as it is so personal and there is so much choice. I could not imagine life without music in it - whether it is listening or playing it. Music triggers memories of people, places and times. To celebrate Morten Harket's 60th birthday recently (he can never be 60?) I have chosen this one. A song about hoping to live a dream away from it all. "Build a home by the foot of the mountain. We could stay there and never go back". I loved A-ha from the early days of cable TV (remember that?). Morten has the most amazing vocal range and the band's music has a far wider range than the pop songs most people know.

I have been lacking a good book to read recently. Looking for recommendations for a good page turner and I am not fussy about genre really although I love historical and creative writing. 

Thank you for joining me once again. Enjoy being creative until we meet again.

Midge x

Please feel free to visit me on my links to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. I can also be found at Ravelry as MidgePorterDesign

Travels near and far

Hi everyone. Thanks for joining me once again in the beautiful 

Glenkens of SW Scotland.

Aberystwyth War Memorial from Aberystwyth Castle

Happy Moon landing day

On the 20th July 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon and humankind's view of our place within the universe changed forever as the astronauts looked down upon our fragile and beautiful world. It is amazing what the human race can achieve if we put our minds to it. All of the programmes about this historic occasion has made me feel reflective about how far we have come since that time in terms of science and engineering accomplishments. Just look at the International Space Station. Could NASA have imagined that 50 years ago? Sadly we are still lacking in bringing the human race to a peaceful existence with each other at a time when we face many global crises. I look to my children and hope that we can make the world a better place for them.




I look at the beauty of nature that surrounds me as I sit typing this and ask myself 'but what can I do?'. Small steps such as cutting down on plastic waste is one way I am trying to help. Trying to not replace plastic bottles once a product is finished but instead looking for alternatives (home made cleaning products, shampoo bars, etc...). As part of that I am considering the yarn types I am selecting for projects. Are there yarns out there that could cope without the nylon content in heavy use, for instance alternative sock yarns? I am also trying to recycle my existing wardrobe, altering where I can and I am thinking about starting dress making again. We have a great local community shop where I can donate items, look for new ones and have a good old rummage for crafty items. I struck gold recently whist on holiday. I found 8 unused balls of copper toned cotton yarn for a bargain price. I am going to add to that stash so that I can make a lovely summer throw at some point. I am inspired by Katie of 'The Green Bean' podcast as she has been looking to have a home-made wardrobe and not replace worn out items with new. As I've never been a fashion label addict and most of my clothes are either ancient,  or ebay/ charity shop 'finds' I feel quite confident about this challenge I have set myself. As I used to work in the international clothing market I am also very well aware of the pitiful amounts of money that gets paid to manufacturers overseas compared to the vastly overpriced clothing items we see on our highstreets. I think the concept of monitoring the carbon footprint and supply chain of goods could also include their moral footprint.

Well I think it is time for me to step down from my soapbox and bring news of my travels nearer (ish) to home.

Cardigan Bay

The beginning of July saw the start of the Scottish school holidays. I have been loving having my girls at home and not having to tackle the pre-school morning rush. We spent the first week away with family in Aberystwyth in Wales. Just like last year the weather was really hot and sunny. Whilst on our 6 hour journey we devised a 'bucket list' plan for ice-cream, chips, train ride, paddle in the sea and to visit a castle. 



We ticked them all off with a dip in the slightly chilly sea (with fabulous views of Cardigan bay on each side), ice-cream/ iced coffee on the promenade and a fabulous (if a little scarily high) ride on the Vale of Rheidol Railway up to Devil's Bridge.

Devil's Bridge: The view from the bottom of the gorge was even more impressive!

The castle overlooking Aberystwyth is only partially intact but it was lovely place to sit and look across the bay plus take in the immense War Memorial with it's spectacular sculptured figures.

Alfie enjoyed splashing in the sea with the kids and he was quite partial to the BBQ sausages afterwards too!

Alfie posing on the beach

Well worth a visit was the Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum in Aberysywyth. It is situated in an old Edwardian theatre and houses fascinating items reflecting the art, heritage and culture of the area. I saw this lovely embroidered and adorned pillow. There was knitting, weaving, double tapestry fabrics as well as a wonderful Welsh costume collection.

(Sorry about photo quality)

My crafting world:

Aberystwyth is a University town and has a great selection of independent shops. I had great fun exploring them and of course I had to find a yarn shop. I met the lovely Cynthia of 'Clare Wools' and we had a nice crafty natter while she tried to match some quite old yarn I was playing yarn 'chicken' with on a garment. The range was really good. Just as my kids had looked with wide eyes at the ice-cream selections on offer on the sea front, I was totally spoilt for choice and only just managed to rein myself in to buying just two samples.


WIPs:-


(i) I had wanted a graduated yarn for a particular project called the 'Ten Stitch Zigzag' blanket by Frankie Brown. I ended up buying some of Sirdar's Sublime range - Eden DK (55% wool/ 45% cotton - shade 0634). I really liked the colour changes and felt that the graduation would be long enough to be shown off well by this project. 

My progress so far...

(ii) My other purchase does not really count as a WIP yet but the plan is to make it either into a crocheted Virus shawl or into some special socks. Just admire it's beauty for now... :) The yarn is very soft, squishy and feels like it will make a warm item for the autumn. It is Schoppel Zauberball Crazy [75% superwash wool (Patagonia virgin wool)/ 25% nylon]. I think it is called Gartenparty, Shade: 1228369 and is sock weight yarn if I have read it correctly (420m/ 100g, needle size 2-3mm). I bought this prior to my increased consideration of choosing non-nylon content yarns.

(iii) I have also started some Blackwork embroidery design work again. It has been a while since I created my own design work as I have been spoilt for choice with other designer's wonderful projects that I want to make. I was inspired however by a fellow Fair Isle Kep knitter who had posted their design for a colourwork thistle. I had intended choosing colours for the design but after a few trials I decided that the colour took away from the actual design filling patterns. I have long admired black and white photography and also pen and ink designs for the clever use of light and shade to create contrast and add texture by layering lines. I enjoy emulating this with embroidery thread and different filler patterns within a design outline. Here is an example of how the mini stag heads give a paler overall shade to one part of the design. In contrast a closely repeated thistle design makes that section look much darker. 

Design detail

I am still working on the design as I need to decide how to depict the thistle leaves. Once completed I will let you all see the final outcome. I hope to develop my designs into kit and pdf. download form later in the year via my own online shop.


FIs:-


(i) I was so excited to finish my Attic 24 'Dune' crochet blanket. Although I chose to make the single bed blanket size due to budget issues it does cover most of a double bed. It is lovely and warm, snuggly soft and beautifully textured by the shell stitch design. It was an easy make and so was perfect for making whilst watching TV or podcasts. I am planning my next Attic 24 blanket already as Lucy writes her patterns so well. I just need to drop birthday hints!

I was feeling camera shy!

(ii) As mentioned earlier I had a game of yarn 'chicken' with some old Sirdar range yarn. It was during making 'The Bobble Crop Top' by Rachel Misner (free to download via Ravelry). In the end I re-made the ribbed section with acrylic yarn, kept the original Sirdar DK cotton/ acrylic blend yarn for the body and then added a textured soft yarn from my stash for the neckline/ arms. As it was gifted scrap yarn I have no idea what it is but it looks great and all came out well in the wash (as things generally do!). It has made a great little top for the summer (because it does not usually get above 20oC here in SW Scotland - we have just been very lucky so far apart from the odd 'dreich' day). I also think it will be great as a winter top over a long-sleeved top. Who does not like a bit of versatility?

I have other plans at the moment. I have been sent some John Arbon sock yarn via a very kind soul who has taken part in Ravelry's 'Craft Bank' group. This group is 'a place for people who want to pay it forward and donate the cost of crochet patterns, knit patterns, destash yarn or provide yarn support' (Ravelry). I really do encourage people to join this group and help out crafters by offering up unwanted stash that others may not have access to for a variety of reasons (you do not have to give any reason for offering or receiving items). I am hoping I can do this lovely yarn justice in my ongoing mission to be a decent sock knitter.


I have also really enjoyed Kathryn of 'Crafternoon Treats' latest podcast which included great information and videos about natural dyeing. I really want to try out some home dyeing but whilst I wait for enough of a budget to build up to buy undyed yarn and pots, etc... I am watching other podcasters, such a Maria of 'Ninja Chickens', queueing up a few recommended dyeing books on Amazon and looking for a local group/ dyer I could maybe join for a dyeing course. Surrounded by nature I am sure I would have a supply of natural dye sources. It certainly looks like great fun. I tried some dyeing during my Textile degree but that was many years ago now!!

I am hoping to start knitting a couple of baby items, a new Fair Isle Fisherman's Kep (knitted colourwork) and a men's Gansey jumper (sweater). Where I will find the time is another matter!!

'Sharing The Love'

I call this section 'Sharing The Love'. I want to grow my blog within the wonderful crafting community I have found online on Ravelry, YouTube and Instagram. I thought that each week I would share one of my favourite sites so that you can also go and visit them. To help me grow my site (and help me in my future plans to set up an online textile design business) could I ask that when you visit them you mention that I sent you their way? Thank you so much xx

Craft House Magic: I have been attracted to Ellie's wonderful podcast due to the fact that she is a multi-crafter like myself. Ellie sews, knits, makes bobbin lace, etc... She records some great tutorials and I am watching her sock-making ones just now. I have been fascinated with how she makes two pairs of socks from one long sock 'tube'. I might be brave and try that soon! Ellie can be found on YouTube, IG and Ravelry. She also has her own website at www.crafthousemagic.co.uk

'Another Love'

(aka The music, book, podcast section where I share my other passions in life)

Well given that this is 'Moon Landing 50' day I just had to share Public Service Broadcasting's 'Go!'. They have written some great tracks and use audio clips to vocalise the song content. In this case they use contemporary voice loops from the NASA control room and the Eagle landing module to convey the excitement and tension of the lead up to the moon landing. As I've just been listening to the BBC World Service podcast series '13 minutes to the moon' it all means a great deal more to me now.

Go! by Public Service Broadcasting

Released: Feb 2015 Written by J. Willgoose, Esq. and Wrigglesworth 

Album: The Race for Space Label: Test Card Recordings

So who doesn't like a gritty crime thriller? The book I want to recommend is 'Rubicon' - the first of a series by a relatively new but very talented writer called Ian Patrick. I hope the publisher does not mind me posting here direct from the Fahrenheit Press website (www.fahrenheit-press.com):

'Two cops, both on different sides of the law – both with the same gangland boss in their sights.

Sam Batford is an undercover officer with the Metropolitan Police who will stop at nothing to get his hands on fearsome crime-lord Vincenzo Guardino’s drug supply.

DCI Klara Winter runs a team on the National Crime Agency, she’s also chasing down Guardino, but unlike Sam Batford she’s determined to bring the gangster to justice and get his drugs off the streets.

Set in a time of austerity and police cuts where opportunities for corruption are rife, Rubicon is a tense, dark thriller that is definitely not for the faint hearted.'

There is already a second book in the Sam Batford series available called 'Stoned Love'. Potentially the first book may be coming to your TV screens so get ahead of the game by reading it. Ian's background is that he worked for the Metropolitan Police for 27 years. He really knows his stuff and it shows in his writing. You can find him on Twitter (@IPatrick_Author) as well as via Fahrenheit Press. It is a real page turner - you have been warned!

Rubicon (Book 1: Sam Batford) by Ian Patrick

Fahrenheit Press (2017)

• ISBN-10: 1975736966
• ISBN-13: 978-1975736965

Thank you for joining me once again. Enjoy being creative until we meet again.

Midge x

Please feel free to comment below and also visit me on my links to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. I can also be found at Ravelry as MidgePorterDesign