Feather boa scarf

The nearest thing to a feather boa I'll get without the feathers!

Knitted this for myself, as a treat. It's very soft and slinky, very warm, and feels very luxurious.

Knitted in Patons Coast and Patons Lulu, a strand of each knitted together, 15 stitches on 10 mm needles.

Quality time

Daughter being at a friend's house after school today, Son and I went up to the local Rec to kick a ball about and generally hang out together. Such a lovely hour - boys talk so much more when they're doing something, and Son has some really interesting thoughts in his head.

One of those evenings when I felt as though I might be getting at least some of this parenting thing right.

Eclipse Trip preparations

Except for actually packing, we seem to be there with our preparations for the Eclipse Trip. The air tickets for Kos are bought, the airport parking is booked, and the yacht charter is all sorted out. Yesterday I went into town and bought seasickness tablets (just in case!), film (because we won't be able to charge the digital camera every day on the boat, so we have to go back to using the old camera) and entertainment for the kids - reading books, a puzzle pad, and a pattern colouring book and pens. Plus the maths book my son asked for (strange child...). For my part, I've got Hornblower to read, and socks to knit, so that should keep me occupied when we're not actually underway. It all still seems unreal, for some reason, but I'm very much looking forward to it - sailing, and a total eclipse of the sun, what more could I ask for? (Clear skies, maybe?)

The first day of Spring

Today is officially the first day of Spring - I just wish that someone would inform the weather. Gray and cold, and no change expected in the foreseeable future.

There was a man from Kew Gardens on the radio this morning. He pointed out that these weather conditions in March are actually quite normal, it's just that mild winters in the past few years have changed our expectations. He also pointed out that this cold weather will help reduce pest numbers.

Apparently when they finally come out, the bulbs will be spectacular, because they will all blossom at once. I for one can't wait!

What the well-dressed bear-about-town is wearing today...

I finished my daughter's 'bear' hat yesterday - after rushing on to make sure I got it done before our weather finally improves. It's knitted on 4 mm needles in Patons Whisper yarn, shade 'Damson'. My daughter chose the yarn herself, and the colours are just gorgeous: dark red, hot pink, and moss green. Jewel-like and lustrous.

I'm pleased with the way the hat turned out - although my stitch numbers didn't match start to finish, nothing ran, and the yarn is so furry that you can't see the mistakes.