‘Cos it sounds so much more exotic that hoodie. It’s Finnish.

Luxury & simplicity all rolled into one. A bit of knittery, a bit of machinery.

I combined the amazing angora gifted by Auntie Pat & the Doctor’s flannel purchased from the Camberwell Market (for next to nix).

I had so much fun with this & already have another on the sticks because (of course) there are a couple of things I’d do differently.

Totally inspired by assemblage & aunty cookie. I’m confident that they will both be thrilled with the greyness of it.

Yes … it’s true! I’m knitting a cloud.

The anny blatt angora lambswool blend is quite incredible. I’m not a knitter at all but when I do pick up the sticks by knitting is ridiculously tight. Not with though, she won’t tolerate it. Stubborn as I am the yarn refuses to be forced which is quite relaxing actually. It’s marshmallow soft & just as light.

Hoping that I don’t botch the lot with phase 2.

Look who got up to a bit of boy meets girl craft last week.

Don’t forget to pop in & add your link if you’re playing along this week.

There were lots of questions about the knitting calendar when I posted an image recently.

I purchased mine from Sunspun in Canterbury but I’ve found them online:

at amazon
at book depository

I’m going to purchase the crochet one as well because the knitting one has been such an excellent resource.

at amazon
at book depository

Happy shopping.

PS: Thanks for appreciating flock clock. You’ll be pleased to know that the little guy has had no trouble getting to sleep.

The door at Auntie Pat’s is big & heavy.

I knock – a little melodious knock. “Come in”, I hear. I think how cool it is that my eighty something Great Aunt is happy to have her door unlocked.

I let myself in.

Auntie Pat is all organised and ready for our knitting date. The radio is tuned to Magic 1278 and her current knitting project is laid out on the dining table.

I’m offered a cuppa and say yes to a cup of tea. Once the tea is made we settle ourselves at the table. Auntie Pat examines my homework. She’s very happy with the way I’m knitting. She runs her fingers over my work and says softly “Mmm, yes, you’re going to be a beautiful knitter Koo”. I feel well pleased with this. I like to be good at stuff.

I’ve brought along the pattern as well as my 365 knitting stitches desk calendar. I hand the pattern over to Auntie Pat & ask ernestly if I should begin at January 1st or maybe today’s date? “No”, Auntie Pat says firmly. “Close that book.” I do. “Right, now just open it up and work on whatever pattern it throws up.” I do exactly that and open the book at the diagonal rib. Auntie Pat is pleased and tells me to get started.

I cast on using my thumb and Auntie Pat begins reading. We sit together in an easy silence, knitting and reading. “Islands in the stream” comes on the radio and I smile to myself. I don’t think I’ve heard that song since 1987. I hum along happily.

Every now and then Auntie Pat offers a “interesting” or “hmmm, clever”.

Very quickly the two hours is up. I pack my things and say my thank yous and goodbyes at the door. Once I start the car I’m tempted to tune the radio to 1278 but decide to save the Magic for Tuesdays with Auntie Pat.

was with the sticks. I learnt from my dear grandmother. The quick movement of her hands was inspiring & something I could never master. The painfully slow & awkward way I manipulated the needles & the yarn was too much for me & I concentrated my creative activities elsewhere.

I’m going to rectify that this year. I shall be spending a couple of hours each week with my Great Aunt learning how to do it “right”.

Casting on with my thumb beautifully now & I’ve got the pointer finger flicking like a pro. No more of this hand off the needle & swing around with the yarn for me.

Once I’ve practiced my technique a bit more (& solved the problems of the world over cups of tea with Auntie Pat), I’m going to make this. Oh yes I am…just you watch me.