February Favourites

Hello! I hope you are all well. It'a been a funny few weeks, what with storm after storm here in the UK and worrying developments abroad at the moment. The last few weeks before the half term break felt a bit like an endurance test, but I am feeling rested now.

I didn't think I'd done anything much in February except get up, go to work, come home and go to sleep, but as always looking back through my photos reminds me that there were lots of lovely moments to celebrate and cherish.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with my friend Abigail at Unravel, a festival of wool just up the road from me in Farnham. Farnham is a very pretty Georgian town and I didn't realise that it was only 40 minutes away, otherwise I would go more often as it's a lovely place for a coffee and mooch around the shops. It was my first visit to Unravel and I really enjoyed it - stall after stall of beautiful yarn, hand-dyed by independent makers from all over the UK. I bought a few skeins and am already making the two below into a large shawl. It has a "zip" of bright colour every now and then. The idea is that, every time you come to the colour in the yarn, you crochet a puff stitch, then go back to your normal pattern. It creates a random scattering of neons and pastels in amongst the petrol grey. 

The skein below is destined for socks. I used to steer clear of variegated yarn as you can't always tell how it's going to look when it's worked up but these ones appealed to me.

One thing about Unravel that didn't appeal was that the whole festival felt really geared up towards knitting rather than crochet. Most of the sample garments (to show off the wool) were knitted, the patterns were for knitters. It was a shame as I would have bought patterns had I seen any. But the sellers were all so knowledgeable and friendly and it was such a joy to be among so many people who love yarn and creating.

Talking of crochet, I have been busy making a crochet tank top (or sweater vest if you're American). No pattern, just 32 granny squares sewn together using about ten balls of Drops Karisma from my stash and a 4mm hook. 

I really was using up every scrap of yarn which is why I used dark grey for the ribbing around the waist, not black. But I don't mind, I still like it.

It looks great over a big white shirt but I haven't had a chance to take any proper photos of me wearing it, so this is the best I could do.

Other nice things that happened in February: a manicure, something which always makes me feel a bit less scruffy and a bit more put together; spring flowers everywhere and bulbs coming up in the garden; a bonus day off work last Friday due to the high winds. I still had to work, but working from home, with time for a coffee with friends too, was a lovely start to half term, although our fences have now seen better days sadly....

I turned another year older and was spoilt with presents and cake and flowers. Luckily my birthday almost always falls in February half term, and I do appreciate that. I have to tell you about the beautiful wrapping on the gift below, a round box of chocolates from John, so a nightmare to wrap. He was wrapping my presents at work but his colleagues were so appalled by the mangled pile of paper and selloptape that they intervened and took over. I think he's hoping this will happen more, I can see him taking all his gifts into work now.....

This was my present from Angus, and I think it might be the best one. Three coupons which say "I hereby declare Mum an "Infinite Insta-Chore" for the limit of one day. This mean I will instantly do any chore, no hassle. But I need to see this coupon for it to work" There's a date on the back and everything. I have established that this means unlimited chores in one day, so tomorrow he is helping me clean out the garage. I think he may regret these vouchers....

My lovely mum made me a delicious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting (my favourite). If John's around he usually bakes me a cake (he's good like that) but he was working so my mum came to the rescue.

Bouquets of birthday flowers now fill vases. Honestly, bunches of fresh flowers at this time of year, after months of nothing in autumn and winter, are such a treat.

This was my gift from John - we had my Stitch A Day embroidery framed.

I dithered over what to do with it - part of me was just going to try and frame it in the hoop - but I'm so glad we had it done properly.  I chose to have glass which I don't usually do with my embroideries, but this one is so special and the framers did a beautiful job. I just need to decide where to hang it now.

That's nearly all my news. We just got back today from a really restful break in North Yorkshire but I haven't had a chance to go through all my photos yet, so I will save those for another day.

Stay safe everyone.