Please excuse the unmade bed but I suddenly thought I should lay out all the strips that Martli and her pals have knitted so far to see how much progress has been made. I had actually been on my way to brush my teeth but then tripped over my market basket which had my knitting in it so obviously and completely understandably got side-tracked. You know how it is.
I think we can safely say – almost big enough! And now, I’m off to brush my teeth…
Not much to show for the last few days. There’s been so much shit happening on so many political levels here, the sense of impending major chaos is draining. And it never rains but it pours – other emotional taxes have been weighing heavily, too. The upside (if it can be called that) to all this is that one tends to find greater pleasure in the smaller things…a sweet goodnight whatsapp from Alex, new buds on the new hydrangeas and gazanias, Col’cacchio’s divine pizza on the couch with Rob to accompany the final episode of One Of Us, lots of lovely birthday wishes from friends…nothing to be taken for granted.
But I did manage to [almost] finish two things: (a) an order from a friend in Somerset West for a patchwork throw for his bed;
212 by 255 cms of browns and creams and greys and honeys, with a bit of mustard and blue for contrast. I’ve used fairly heavyweight upholstery fabrics and I can barely lift the damn thing. I’ve started on the second one for him, a larger but lighter-weight one in yellows and creams and mustards.
and (b) a blanket for my own bed, started 5 years ago and forgotten about until I had to pack up house. A row here and a row there and before I knew it, the thing was huge!
Not sure whether to work a row or two of dc down the sides or not, just can’t decide. It doesn’t look right, but it also doesn’t look right without anything. Also really really heavy. And also all the ends to sew in.
It had to happen – this happy hooker has finally made her way down to the docks.
The Hout Bay harbour, with its amazing view of Chapman’s Peak and splashing seals and stinky fish (real ones!) and fresh fried snoek… okay, it’s a very small harbour, but still… it’s quite a tourist attraction (when it’s not winter here of course). I took these pics this morning around 10h15, and as you can see the sun was shining, but we KNOW IT’S WINTER NOW because there’s actually officially SNOW on Table Mountain. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
There’s also this cute little shop called This Shop Rox, and this morning I delivered my first batch of hats. Mainly penguins, but also 6 newsboys (pic was like blurry vomit so I can’t show them to you).
So many other reasons why I’ve been so scarce lately, but I should be able to share some evidence of the next one tomorrow. It’s the approval day for the Cape Gift Market in November/December, and Rob has helped me with a great display. I’ve still got hats to finish, so I’m off now….
Back soon x
I spent most of last Friday at my mom’s holiday house down the coast, supervising some repair work.
I went snooping around, as one does, and uncovered this blanket, lurking in a cupboard.
I’d made it for my mother a few years ago and had clean forgotten about it. I’d used up lots of browns and beiges and a bit of rust, and it was like seeing an old friend.
Then I wondered if she’d miss it if it wasn’t there the next time she comes for a holiday….. I have my first market of the season just one week from today (the Heritage Day market in Oranjezicht), and I’ve been too busy with my kits and freelance editing work to build up much stock. I think I have two items so far. Holy crap.
To be continued…
Yesterday Doreen gave me a pair of leg warmers that she’d made ages ago. I have no need for them, having the kind of legs that are so naturally well-covered they keep themselves warm. But I liked them, and like things to be useful, and I remembered Alex’s friend Dani who came round the other day and was wearing these:
They look like caterpillars. Dani’s mom had bought them for her and she didn’t know where, but I knew something would come of this idea. So, I unpicked a small section of the leg warmer seam, blanket-stitched around it and VOILA – wrist warmers!
And yes, I am still in my cruddy old dressing gown and yes, I am deliberately covering my left eye (it was red and puffy when I woke up today, it’s such a glamorous look, you can imagine).
I might still work a row of dc (UK dc, that is) around the top and bottom edges, but I might not. I think I like them just like this.
Doreen gave me something else, too. I don’t know why, I haven’t done anything particularly special to deserve it, but she’s very generous. She actually said, “Listen, if you don’t take this stuff, when I’m dead my daughter won’t know what to do with it and she’ll chuck it all out, so just take it now.”
Her daughter, who I’m sure is a very nice person and wouldn’t just throw anything away thoughtlessly, has, however, lost out on this INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL granny square blanket. Sorry for you, Linda. It’s now on the back of my couch and it has transformed the whole room. And, of course, it makes me think of Doreen who, at 82, is one of the most inspiring and kindest and funniest and sharpest people I have ever been lucky enough to have in my life.
Back soon x
Nice piece of work 