STEPPING UP

Hi everyone. 

Thanks for joining me once again in the beautiful Glenkens region of rural southwest Scotland, UK.

I am writing this blog in the midst of the terrible Covid-19 worldwide pandemic - two weeks into the UK lockdown. How things have changed since my last blog in January 2020. None of us could have foreseen where we would be right now as we were making plans in January for the new year and wondering what life would bring. I hope that you are all coping OK and staying safe and healthy. It is a frightening time for everyone, not least for those people suffering from the virus or the many people who have lost someone they love to it. It is also a time when the country has seen amazing acts of generosity, ingenuity and courage.

As I have been an NHS nurse within the last three years I signed up on the emergency register to rejoin the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) so that I could legally practice as a nurse again. I have attended my NHS Trust induction and now I am awaiting the call to be posted where I am needed. It is with pride that I rejoin the NHS family. It is also with trepidation as to what I might face and the risk this may pose to my immediate family. I know that I am not alone in my concerns - every single front line worker, be it in the NHS, emergency services, food distribution, voluntary sector, etc... must feel the same. My heart goes out to them, and especially to those front line workers who have lost their lives trying to help others. It is very sobering and makes me think greatly of those I love and miss seeing. Take time to get in touch with folks. Let them know you care. It would mean the world to them at this scary time.

I have been lucky enough to get out daily for my government prescribed exercise (sounds a bit George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four') in the stunning countryside on my doorstep. I value my dog walks with Alfie 'the pedestrian collie' in the fresh air so much. It helps me destress and to have a bit

of 'me' time. We are surrounded by newborn lambs in the fields just now - my farming neighbours have been working like Trojans day and night in amongst the added stress we are all facing.

We passed the Vernal Equinox on the 21st March and in the UK we have moved the clocks forward an hour to British Summer Time (BST). I for one love the lighter evenings and the promise of warmer days. As I walk I note how surreal it is that as the seasons change nature carries on (and flourishes) regardless of the crisis facing the human population. That feels like a positive note amongst such negativity.

Talking of positives - my two youngest daughters have finally got the hang of cycling on two wheels. My youngest went from a scoot-a-long balance bike. Two days later and you wouldn't know she had only just moved to a normal bike. My middle daughter had really struggled with confidence to move on from stabilisers. Today she just went for it and it 'clicked'. Hopefully we can get on some of the numerous cycle tracks in the area once the virus crisis is over.

We have also been planting lots of seeds in the hope of getting a decent vegetable garden going this year. I planted some sweet peas, lavender and verbena too. I want to try and encourage the bees and butterflies to visit us.




My Crafting World:

In times of worry and stress I always fall back on my creative skills as a form of mindfulness. I concentrate on and become adsorbed in the creative process and this stops my mind from churning over and over. I hope that you are all finding that your crafting projects (or any other projects/ activities) are of comfort at this time. Due to home schooling my three daughters I have found that I have limited crafting time or that come the evening I am only able to concentrate on mindless tasks. I do have some crafting to share with you though.

Before the local school was closed due to the lockdown I had the great pleasure to be involved in a craft project with the P6/7 year class. The task was for each child to design a patchwork square which represented Scotland. They could choose the backing fabric and the motif design. I was there to help them choosing suitable fabrics, help them design a motif that was clear and easy to sew onto the fabric, and also to assist them with cutting and sewing. The children were all brilliant and so enthusiastic. Some of them had never sewn or even threaded a needle before. I was immensely proud of them all and this was the final quilt result. I look forward to our future crafty sessions together.

WIPs (Works in Progress):-

(i) I am running a bit behind with my year long project - the 'Temperature Blanket'. My crocheting was put on hold while I awaited delivery of more Stylecraft Special DK yarn. I am finding that the project uses quite a lot of yarn. Crochet projects are always 'yarn thirsty'. I am also finding that the temperature has been pretty steady over the past few months in my part of the world so the colour variations have not altered much. I find myself wishing for warmer days so that I can enjoy adding in some new colours!! I am catching up on the March stripes and by the time I get to April's stripes I will be rewarded with some new colours due to recent warmer days. This picture shows you my progress so far. As you can see it is already a monster project. I am going to split the blanket into two six-month lengths and then sew them together to make a really warm (and large) king-sized blanket. I am sure by Dec 31st 2020 I will be very glad of it.

(ii) I have nearly finished the blanket I am making for my middle daughter. It is the 'Nature's Walk' crochet blanket by Sandra Paul of Cherry Heart https://www.cherryheart.co.uk/2019/08/natures-walk-cal.html. I have a satisfying stash of crochet squares and I have just received the contrast yarn I have chosen to sew together and border the blanket. This again is knitted in Stylecraft Special DK yarn as I was using up my stash for the squares.

(iii) I was also awaiting embroidery threads to continue my other year long project - the 'A Year of Blackwork' SAL by Peppermint Purple designs https://peppermintpurple.com/pages/a-year-of-blackwork Each week a new section of the sampler is published. I am a couple of weeks behind but very happy with the progress so far.

(iv) I have started yet another blanket project (can you tell it gets cold in winter here?!). This is a knitted project being hosted as a KAL by Jana of the Purl Together podcast on YouTube. 'Norah's Vintage Afghan' consists of beautiful cable knitted squares and can be found as a free download at https://berroco.com/patterns/norahs-vintage-afghan . I am using Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK yarn in some lovely colours. I had some scrap balls and then have managed to get some contrast shades. Note: This yarn is becoming 'discontinued' so you might wish to choose a different yarn.

(v) My 'Mitred Ridges Top', pattern by Lion Brand is not going very well. The 100% cotton Rowan Handknit yarn is lovely. The drape looks good. All parts are knitted. The problem is that now I am about to set in the sleeves they just don't seem to match up well when sewing. The sleeve sections seem too small. I got fed-up and put the project in the 'naughty corner'. I don't need that sort of stress right now! TBC...

FIs (Finish Items):-

(i) I have finished Winwick Mum's 'Sanctuary Socks' https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/2020/01/sanctuary-socks-free-pattern-and.html This was part of Christine's 'Winter Haven KAL' at the start of the year.  I used some lovely yarn from Wee Sheep Yarns in 75% Merino/ 25% Nylon superwash. The pattern was so easy to follow and, due to the cable pattern, felt like a really quick knit. I used two KnitPro Symfonie 2.25mm circular needles, then added in 2 KnitPro Zing 2.25mm dpns when making the heel. I found this to be a great way to speed up my sock knitting. I love the socks and feel like I am perfecting the right sizing for my feet.

(ii) I had previously reported my aptly named 'Virus shawl' pattern by Made by Helen http://giftsbyhelen.co.uk/2016/06/virus-shawl-a-written-pattern/ as a FI - then it became a WIP as after a couple of wears I decided that it was not quite big enough. I bought another ball of Schoppel Zauberball Crazy to add some more rows and it is now definitely a FI. I am so pleased with the results. It is light to wear but really warm too. The colours are beautiful and really keep you interested as the shawl increases in size and the rows get longer.

Borrowing the pup from next door for a cuddle :)

(iii) A quick and fun make was a 'Fair Isle headband', pattern by Anne Sinclair (of the Fisherman's Kep pattern fame - see my previous blogs). I used Jamieson & Smith Shetland Heritage 100% Shetland wool yarns. This was a great little stash buster. A great item to keep my ears warm and my headphones in on windy dog walks.

(iv) I am very pleased to have finally knitted a garment I actually want to wear! I completed the 'Night Shades' jumper, pattern by DROPS of Norway (printed in 'Knit Now' magazine issue 111) https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=8768&cid=17. I knitted this in Artesano 'Inca Mist' 100% baby alpaca yarn. It is so soft and warm to wear. I added glass seed bead detailing plus a thumbhole in each cuff as I like that style. I learned a great deal making this garment. Next time I will increase needle size for the colourwork section as the tension difference from the main body to yoke was noticeable until a couple of washes of the garment. I will also add extra to the back yoke to avoid gaping at the neck next time.

'Sharing The Love'

I call this section 'Sharing The Love' because I want to grow my blog within the wonderful crafting community. Here are some of the wonderful creative people that I would love you to find out more about. Tell them I sent you!

Create With Fibre - Janet Renouf-Miller runs a website and business that offers online video courses, as well as real life courses here in SW Scotland. She is the author of 'Knit 1 Bike 1' and 'How to spin - just about anything', plus many other booklets. I have greatly enjoy several online craft 'n' natter sessions over the last few weeks with Janet and fellow crafters. I hope to take part in some real-life courses for dyeing and Fair Isle knitting in the future. You can find her at https://createwithfibre.co.uk/

'Another Love'
(aka the music, book, podcast section where I share my other passions in life)


The Bakery Bears Radio Show (podcast)

I am already a big fan of Dan and Kay's 'Bakery Bears' podcast on YouTube (knitting, crochet, baking, great adventures, etc...). This show takes you out for a walk with the hosts and you can listen in while they discuss any number of topics, from 'The Power of Music', 'What are the ingredients to a great TV show?', and 'What did the Romans ever do for us?' I love listening in during my dog walks.

'Follow Me' by Muse
Released: 2012 on the album 'The 2nd Law' Label: Warner Bros.

Just feels quite an apt track just now. One of the best concerts I went to was seeing Muse at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow a couple of years ago. I find it quite strange that the connected SEC centre will shortly become a field hospital where I might end up nursing.

'New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)' by Simple Minds
Released: 1982 on the album 'New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) Label: Virgin 

I have a huge love for 80's music (although you can leave most of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman stuff at the door please). I always seem to get into bands after they have had their major success. I came across this track a couple of years ago and simply love it for its ability to let me reminisce about growing up and learning to appreciate music in the 80's.

'War Doctor - Surgery on the Front Line' by David Nott
Published by Picador 2019 ISBN-10: 1509837027 ISBN-13: 978-1509837021

I read this prior to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I listened to David Nott read this on audio book. David worked as a general and vascular surgeon both for the NHS in the UK and in some of the world's most dangerous war zones/ humanitarian disaster areas. He is still working today and is instrumental in training other doctors around the would in how to treat people in appalling conditions with unimaginable injuries. This is not a book for the faint-hearted but I found it so interesting from a medical angle and so moving in terms of both David, and his fellow medics professionalism in the face of extreme danger and adversity. This book has certainly inspired me greatly, especially at the moment as I prepare to go back into nursing to help support the NHS.



Thank you once again for joining me. Enjoy being creative until we next meet and I pray that you all stay safe and well.
Midge x