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