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

A breath of fresh air...

Views across to St. John's Town of Dalry

Hi everyone. Thanks for joining me once again in the beautiful Glenkens of SW Scotland.

Who jinxed summer?

Being British I have to talk about the weather. Its in the genes! Well, previously lovely warm and sunny days gave way to wet, windy, dull ones for the last couple of weeks. There have been odd nice spells but reaching back into the cupboard for woolly jumpers was not in the plan! Also, the dampness heralded the emergence of the dreaded and fearsome midge (the insect, not me!!). I have been tending the Guinea Pigs and pegging the washing out at record speed whilst being nibbled relentlessly. Still, at least in the Glenkens we have not had the level of rainfall experienced by other parts of the UK where sadly there has been flooding. My heart goes out to the farmers who have been busily trying to get the grass cut for winter feed in between heavy rainfall. Luckily the weather has started to improve and today I had a lovely walk out with Alfie the wonder Collie. I felt I needed a longer walk today to get past the bittersweet emotion of waving my youngest off to her first transition day from nursery to primary school - complete in uniform. Where has the time gone? I think I am feeling it more this time as I know in a couple of weeks nursery time will be over forever. A chapter in both my children's and my own life closed. Goodness knows how I'll feel once all three of my girls are grown up!

I have taken a few pictures of the local faces that greet me on my walks. I think the sheep are also enjoying the warmth and sun. The lambs are all so big now. I tried to take some pictures of the beautiful cows on our neighbour's farm but they ran away as soon as they saw the dog! 

The colours in the hedgerows are stunning due to all of the wildflowers and different types of grasses. I noticed wild peas in abundance and the huge variance in the ranges of green based tones in the leaves everywhere. So pretty and the local bees and butterflies all love it. So good to see when we hear about the loss of important bee populations. Encourage them by leaving some of your garden to grown wildflowers (if you can) xx

One of my favourite walks takes me up towards Kells Church, just outside New Galloway. It is a very pretty Church of Scotland building. Alfie and I like to take a break on the bench outside and watch the world go by. I always like to smile and wave at the locals and visitors as they drive by, passing on a bit of happiness. If that is the sum total of my influence on the world I am happy with that. I find walking and breathing in the beautiful clean and fresh air such an important part of beating off anxiety. I recommend it to anyone. The views of the Galloway hill ranges - such as the Rhinns of Kells - on the way back are always wonderful.

Kells Church

My crafting world:

Since my last blog I was filled for a while with a sense of panic. What shall I do if I have nothing new to show my readers? Can I get anything finished in time? I felt a bit creatively stifled with no real sense of purpose. I kept looking at my crafting corner (oh how I'd love a proper dedicated craft room) and thinking it needed re-organising. As it turns out it was a great plan as it fired up new ideas as I came across projects, sketches, yarns and fabrics that had been put to one side for 'another day'. I also bought myself a new planner book so that I could consolidate new ideas, ongoing projects, crafty contacts and business planning into one place. It has really helped. 

I have also started to join a few more groups on Ravelry to see what the wider crafting community is up to. I decided to join a few Kals/ Cals/ Mals (Knit/ Crochet/ Make Alongs) and this has spurred me on to complete some of my WIPs. I have also been enjoying the Ravelry chatter groups when I get a chance to sit and read through them (not easy with a busy family). There is such a lovely community out there in the world who are so supportive of fellow crafters. I am finding this with my growing Instagram following also. I never thought that over 270 people would be remotely interested in my crafting, but they are and I am making new contacts and being inspired so much by others.

WIPs:-

(i) Work on the Attic 24 'Dune' crochet blanket continues and I am only about 4 colour rows away from starting the border. It is getting quite reassuringly heavy now but that has been quite nice in the damp, cool evenings as it has kept my legs warm. I am looking forward to my 'ta-dah' moment to show you on the next blog. I am planning my next blanket already!

(ii) I have started watching the Crochet Luna podcast by Claudia on YT. Like me, she has struggled in the past to make garments that come out looking good. I decided to work alongside her podcast suggestion to make 'The Bobble Crop Top' by Rachel Misner (free to download via Ravelry). I discovered in my yarn stash some lovely Sirdar DK cotton/ acrylic blend yarn in enough quantity to complete this nice summer top. Wish me luck and I look forward to seeing how Claudia's turns out.

(iii) A while back I was very kindly gifted a large box of cross-stitch odds and ends. It was a wonderful surprise and I loved delving in to discover little kits, threads, fabric, patterns, etc. Amongst the items was a part made kit called 'The Angel of Cross Stitch' by Joan Elliot. It is worked on 14 hpi Aida fabric with cotton floss. I enjoyed sorting through the jumbled threads and have re-started it. A few sections needed a re-stitch but nothing major. It will be a long-term project but feels so nice to re-love an item and hopefully bring it to completion.

(iv) I am about to embark on re-learning tatting. This lesser known craft falls into its own category but has similarities to crochet, lace-making or even macrame (on a much smaller scale). By making use of fine cotton thread and a small hand-held shuttle it is possible to create miniature knotted stitch embellishments. They were traditionally used on collars, cuffs, or handkerchief edgings. I will share much more about this in my next blog once I have a few examples to show you. I last tried it as a child but I have a feeling it will come back to me. I have a great idea to use the tatted embellishments to re-love a patchwork quilt that was also gifted to me. This picture shows examples of tatting shuttles and the level of intricate work that can be achieved with them (not my work I hasten to add!). I have a very old book to follow to learn the basics. 

FIs:-

(i) I was thrilled to complete my 'Basic Socks' (pattern by Winwick Mum). Once I jumped off 'one-sock island' I actually completed the second sock in about 3 days. To boost my confidence and to give me an incentive to finish I had decided to enter my socks into a couple of Kals on Ravelry. The closing date for the #socklandkal by Caz of the Wee Sew N Sew podcast is on 30th June. I also discovered the Summer of Socks Kal 2019 #SOSKAL2019 being run by Nikki of the Tea & Possibilities podcast. Because socks are so popular there are plenty of Kals being run so I suggest heading over to Ravelry if you fancy joining in on one.

I learnt a great deal by working through my first set of socks knitted on dpns with proper sock weight yarn. I had used Drops Fabel, with KnitPro Zing dpns. The final socks were a little loose but will be perfect as winter cosy wear. I went back to Christine's site (aka. Winwick Mum) to read more of her notes about sock measurements and tension. A really great resource to use. I decided that I could knit using fewer stitches and try a decent swatch test next time (I know, we are always too impatient to swatch). A very good suggestion by one of my IG followers was to try another yarn type - for example maybe sock yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners, as she felt Drops Fabel could be a bit plumper than other types. You see, this is where reaching out to the wider crafting community helps. I have been very happy with all of the kind comments made about my socks on IG and I am looking forward to trying another pair with lace or cable texture next time (and hopefully they won't take me so long to make!).

(ii) My second FI is my 'Easy Goes It' shawl by Finicky Creations (designed by Michelle Higgins). It was completed in hand-dyed yarn by Jane at Wee Sheep Yarns and I made it to take part in her Summer Shawl Kal (which runs until 31st Juy 2019). I simply love the bright colours and the gentle drape of it. I carried on a bit further with the rows to use up my yarn. It is quite long but that makes it great to wrap around a few times so you can enjoy the different stitches and textures from all angles.

Ta-dah!

'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

Fruity Knitting Podcast: Andrew and Andrea run this well established podcast. It has a wonderful magazine style format where you hear about their personal knitting (and sometimes crochet) projects. You are also introduced to new and established designers, yarn and textile producers from the yarn world - from sheep to finished products, as well as being taken on adventures to yarn festivals such as Shetland Wool Week. It is such a varied and interesting podcast. They have their own website and you can also become a Patron to help support their very well made and content filled channel. Find them at Fruity Knitting on YT, IG, FB. They are running a Woolly Wormhead Hat Kal until 31st July and also a Fruity Crochet Along Cal until 1st Feb 2020. 

'Another Love'

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

Travis have written so many wonderful tracks but this is one of my favourites. It has a wonderful flow and atmosphere to it. The acoustic version is great too. All about unconditional and constant, unending love (I am a bit of a sentimental soul - can you tell??). The 'making of...' video on YT is quite funny. Poor Fran Healy!

Where You Stand by Travis

Released: 30th April 2013 Written by Dougie Payne, Holly Partridge and Fran Healy 

Album: Where You Stand Label: Red Telephone Box

The book I want to recommend is actually a children's book but one that resonated so much with me as I read it to my youngest daughter that I wanted to share it with you. It converts the world of worries into a world where dragons can come when you least expect them, cause you problems, seem impossible to get rid of and hard to articulate the presence of to other people. It makes the reader understand that everyone has dragons and that is OK. What a wonderful way to explain worries to a small child. The illustrations by Nick Maland are lovely.

You've Got Dragons by Kathryn Cave

Hodder Children's Books (2002)
ISBN: 0340851597 (PB)

I have recently been listening to quite a few podcasts as I craft. Much as I love music some days I just like to take in some new information instead. I came across this podcast by the BBC World Service. It is all about the lead up to the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, listening to testimony and interviews of astronauts, NASA staff, engineers, etc. Episodes take you from the initial pledge by President JFK to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade, through the many Gemini and Apollo missions, to the actual moon landing mission. The context of the era is set by contemporary audio news and music inserts and the podcast music composition by Hans Zimmer really makes it quite atmospheric. Part of Episode 6 covers the Apollo 8 astronaut's reactions to seeing the Earth rising over the Luna landscape and how, in light of the Vietnam war and the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King, the problems of the world appeared compared to the famous 'Earthrise' view of our fragile and beautiful world in the vastness of space.

13 Minutes to the Moon

BBC World Service: Kevin Fong

www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes

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

Hey Pesto!

All still on The Water of Ken

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog. Thanks for coming and joining me once again in the beautiful Glenkens.

Early summer beckons in the Glenkens:

Last week we were blessed with the most lovely warm and sunny days. Temperatures up and over 17oC made for the exciting prospect of the summer to come (hopefully). Enjoying walks with Alfie (the wonder dog) and not coming home dripping wet are always a bonus! It has been a real joy to sit outside in the garden to knit/ crochet/ read (and dare I say it, revise for my university exam). 

I had the unexpected and great pleasure of meeting Kathryn from Crafternoon Treats for coffee and a chat while she was holidaying in the area. She is just as welcoming and interesting to talk to as her YouTube podcast would suggest. Nothing nicer than sitting and chatting about all things crafty right next to the beautiful village burn (stream) in the warm sunshine. What a treat indeed!

I am sure we are encouraging the entire local bird population into our garden due to the regular bird feeder top-ups we keep needing to do. My youngest is making good use of the RSPB bird spotter book and binoculars. Alfie just can't contain himself from chasing their shadows as they fly across the garden. One way to wear out a Border Collie (if that is possible?).

The stunning Gorse is everywhere just now

Lovely purple shades

Gradients of pink

Honeysuckle scents in the evening = heaven

Hey Pesto!

Due to the abundance of wild garlic in the wooded copse next to our garden my youngest and I decided a foraging trip was in order. Many a time my other children announce their return from school with a garlic fume-filled kiss as they have grazed along the hedgerow on the way up the farm track! Anyway, I have been hankering to try out wild garlic pesto for some time and so we gathered a good couple of handfuls for soaking followed by blitzing it up into a culinary delight. Just add toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a non-dairy version), olive oil, lemon juice and salt & pepper. Given the empty plates at dinner time I think you can guess how popular it was mixed with pasta and sweetcorn. Yum!

Wild Garlic

Soaking the picked Wild Garlic

Hey Pesto!

Adventures in Crafting:

Any crafter will tell you that they solemnly swear to finish all of their Works-in-Progress (WIPs) before casting on/ commencing another project. I suspect (like me) that such best intentions last as long as it takes to have a quick scroll through Instagram, flick through Pinterest or visit to Ravelry!! Before you know it you are queueing up the next project or reaching for your yarn/ fabric stash and needles. I was very disciplined last year and decided to finally complete many a forgotten project and 're-love' ones that needed concentrated work (or a complete ripping out!). My yarn stash dwindled but my sense of pride grew as each project became a FI (Finished Item). I will share some of these over the next few blogs.

WIPs:-

(Referring back to my last blog 'May Meanderings') - I am still on 'one sock island' (making the 'Basic sock' pattern by Winwick Mum). I need a long journey to complete the other one I think so will take it on the family summer holiday trip. Work on the Attic 24 'Dune' crochet blanket continues in the evenings as a great way to unwind and work in a mindless relaxed manner. 

'Spring Fling' hand-dyed yarn by Wee Sheep Yarns

I love watching a good crafting vlog/ podcast on YouTube. There are several that I follow and Wee Sheep Yarns produce a great one. Jane and Lynda make me giggle every time I tune in. Jane hand-dyes her own yarns as well as running her own yarn shop called Craft Time in Darvel, Ayrshire (UK). To celebrate reaching 200 subscribers they are running a KAL (KnitALong) until 31st July 2019. The KAL is to make any shawl of your choice and if you use Wee Sheep Yarn's yarn you can get a 20% discount right now from the etsy shop weesheepyarns.etsy.com (Code SUB200). I am passionate about supporting local businesses and so it has been my pleasure to order enough of Jane's yarn to make the 'Easy Goes It' shawl by Finicky Creations (designed by Michelle Higgins). This can be found on Ravelry. My shawl is coming along quite quickly just now. The mix of superwash merino and nylon is making a light-weight and soft fabric and I am loving the bright colours that match the wonderful floral displays everywhere just now. A mix of garter, stocking and lacework stitches add texture and keep the interest going as the stitch count increases.

FIs:-

The pleasure of knowing that my 'Fisherman's Kep' Fair Isle colourwork hat has been well received by it's new owner gives me enormous pleasure (See my previous blog 'May Meanderings').

The FI I want to share is one that involved over 10 years of very intermittent stitching using a magnifier and a great deal of patience. I finally completed my Blackwork embroidery sampler. I am yet to have it framed for the big 'ta-dah' reveal but I wanted to share my love of this piece and the art of Blackwork with you. This design came from New Stitches magazine (Issue 138) but sadly I no longer have a copy to credit the designer. 

Blackwork Sampler

The sampler uses black and gold embroidery thread and I chose a 28 hpi (holes per inch) white evenweave linen fabric as I find it easier to work with than aida fabric and I prefer the finish. I decided to use two strands of Anchor shade 403 (black) for the outlines and one strand for the filler patterns. You could use Coton á Broder for the outlines instead. I never became bored as the changes in filling patterns keep you interested. The difficult part is making sure you count the squares correctly when completing the outer borders. One square out results in a great deal of heartache as you unpick many hours of work!

Detail of the centre of the sampler

A little history lesson: Blackwork is believed to be one of the earliest forms of contrast embroidery and it is possible that the artform was brought to Spain via Moorish influences from the Islamic art of North Africa. This influenced Spanish needlework and originally Blackwork was known as Spanish work. Catherine of Aragon is purported to have brought this type of embroidery to the Royal household of Henry VIII and examples are depicted on collars and cuffs in court portraits of the time (for example those by painter Hans Holbein). In fact the double running stitch used in Blackwork was named Holbein stitch in his honour. After King Henry VIII's split with the Catholic church (and Catherine) the work was renamed Blackwork. Traditional English design elements such as fruits, flowers, etc... were introduced later. Blackwork also does not actually need to be black on white. Any contrast is OK with examples seen in other tones. The filler pattern can be altered to create areas that look more heavily shaded than others. An example of Blackwork that I have stitched (below) was taken from a cuff design depicted in a 1537 Hans Holbein portrait of Jane Seymour. It was redacted by Lorraine Behrens from the portrait detailing and makes a simple and pretty repeat.

Redacted detail of Blackwork from Jane Seymour's cuff

Through completing the Blackwork sampler I have discovered a love of this type of embroidery and this has led me to create my own designs. I hope to publish these at a later date in kit form.

Heart design

Nordic Star design

Detail of my Nordic Star design (under magnification)

'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 Wee Sew n Sew Knitting Podcast: I highly suggest a visit to Caz's lovely YouTube podcast. I love hearing about her adventures in knitting and could listen to her beautiful Scottish accent all day. Caz introduced me to Wee Sheep Yarns via her podcast. Caz also takes you along on local visits so you get to enjoy some of the stunning views from the Highlands of Scotland. Caz can be found on Instagram at theweesewnsew and also on www.ravelry.com in the Wee Sew n Sew group where she is currently running the socklandkal and a Jumperjoykal until 30th June 2019. I am entering a sock for this and debating starting a Gansey jumper (sweater) if I have time.

'Another Love'

(aka The music and books section)

The track for this blog is one that I have loved since it was first released in 1985. Some songs just make the hairs stand up. I love the mix of story telling and atmosphere. I loved it even more when I did go to live in the great northern historical cotton producing town of Bolton in Lancashire (UK). The video was originally filmed in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire (UK).

Life in a Northern Town by The Dream Academy

Written by Gilbert Gabriel and Nick Laird-Clowes. Label: Warner Bros.

The book I want to recommend is one that would make anyone want to step outside and head off on an adventure. The book covers the vastness of the forests and mountains along the Appalachian Trail in the Eastern United States of America that covers a length of approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 Km). I adore the travel writer Bill Bryson's wit and observations. His endeavours to complete this trail with his friend Katz in tow is hilarious and humbling. It inspires me one day to complete the far more modest Southern Upland Way which runs 214 miles (344 km) from Portpatrick on the SW coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath on the East coast. Part of the path runs just a stone's throw from my door so it is very tempting.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Broadway Books (1998)
ISBN: 0-7679-0251-3

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

Midge x

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