Elsewhere and handspun

I've finished my Winter Solstice Elsewhere. I love the colours in this. I wanted something that reflected winter skies in all their glory. I think I've captured that:)

It still needs blocking but I made this slightly larger to allow me to layer something under it for winter.

I love knitting with bluefaced Leicester aran yarn. I purchased it from Bluefaced.com and recommend them for undyed yarn and fibre.
I've also been spinning, so has Mr Mog but that is another story altogether.
This is some Falkland tops from FeltstudioUK, that I purchased in a ravelry destash. My first spinning of Falklands fibre and it was so easy. It practically spun itself:) I'm still spinning thick and thin in parts but it is getting better I think. I love Daniella's colours. They are very muted for me but a delight none the less.
This was before I set it, it is now on the line drying.
I got 334 yards from 200g which I'm inordinately pleased with:)
Currently on the wheel is some glittery fibre from Laal Bear, my first glitter yarn. Laal Bear's batts are so soft and she dyes such luscious colours. Today the sun is shining and it makes such a difference to my spirits. I'm awaiting a parcel of fibre then I hope to go and take the air on the promenade.
My next blog post has a giveaway for Samhain so stay tuned:)

Sunny socks and winter skies.

A weird tree we saw at Chester Zoo last time we visited. At first I thought it was elderberry until we got nearer. Chester Zoo have electric wheelchairs you can borrow which are a boon. Saves taking the push me one:)

I've started the Winter Skies elsewhere jacket. What do you think of the colours?
The above is probably the nearer to the true colour.
I finished my sunny skies socks for me. Yarn is hand dyed alpaca merino double knit.
These will keep me warm of an evening which is when I feel the cold most.
Spinning is going slowly, I can't feel the fibre at the moment so I'm not able to spin smoothly as it either gets away from me or doesn't move at all. Very frustrating when you have a body that doesn't want to co-operate.

Must just add that I've been browsing the internet and my friend Laal Bear has just updated her shop. some fabulous yarns and fibre there for autumn knitting. I'm especially keen on the Autumn Equinox and bluebell fibre (naturally), Beltaine luxury batt and the Winter Solstice yarns.
Well a girl can dream can't she:)

Berries indeed:) and Tilly joins the family.

I started with this, dyed to reflect the colours of the fruits that are in abundance at this time.


I finished with this which I am so thrilled with. I love the way the colours blended as I knit it and I love the richness of the finished jacket.



It blends perfectly with the fruits, don't you agree? A memory of Nature's abundance whilst wearing it throughout the winter.

I do love this pattern as you can probably tell:)
Back view, just as full of berry stains as the front is.

So what will be next on the needles?

I'm imagining the colours of the trees as they fade slowly in preparation for their Autumn splendour. The bright greens and acid limes fading to a more muted palette. This will be my next project.
In an Elsewhere jacket of course:)

Currently on the needles is a silky shawl in purples and jewel shades, named by a dear friend as Checkers as it reminded her of her Chinese checkers set as a child. I always find it strange what things and smells can evoke memories for us all.
A lovely day with good friends yesterday. We were going to go to our local knit group but became waylaid and didn't actually get there. It may have had something to do with Mr Mog and Megs Man putting a new wheel together for me. It may also have had something to do with Laal Bear having to help them make the finishing touches. You would be proud of me I am sure that I selflessly allowed her to have first turn on the wheel.
She is an Ashford traveller and her name is Tilly. I'll post pictures once I take some.
She has a double treadle and a double drive band , she will be a little easier for me to treadle as well which will help with this rotten health stuff I am having at the moment. Plus side also is that she will travel:)
We had our first day of sunshine yesterday in many days. Laal Bear and I took the opportunity to sit outside for a while and enjoy the warmth of the sun. You can smell and feel Autumn's touch now though. Not just in the morning and at dusk but throughout the day. She moves ever nearer as each day passes.I see where she has travelled when I look at hedgerows and trees. Lots are showing their colours now. I feel a trip to woods will soon be in order to take part in the colourfest.
There is nothing quite like sitting among mature trees and looking up into their canopy. To see the colour progression. You can tell which way the wind blows by how coloured each tree is. The more sheltered areas still have rich verdant leaves. The more windy spots are turning fast.
What will you do to celebrate Autumn?

A Mohair jacket give away and Status Quo

I've decided to give away the mohair Elsewhere jacket I made. I love it but I decided it was time to send something out into the world and to give something back. The jacket is that something. It is large and will easily fit someone size 20 and above.
It is large on me as you can see. I haven't worn it, I just tried it on for the photos.
It is definitely a unique piece and no one else will have anything quite like it I am sure.
If you would like to be considered for it please add a comment here. I'll choose a winner on Lammas, which is this Saturday.
I'm still experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort so my reading and commenting on blogs has been limited. I'm too sore to do much of it so I'm hibernating somewhat.
I've been trying to get tickets for Status Quo at Glastonbury for Mr Mog's birthday. He loves the Quo and I wanted to try and surprise him with tickets. Sadly they were all sold out very quickly and I haven't managed to find any anywhere. Ebay has had them at horrendous prices, too rich for me.
So its back to the drawing board for ideas for this momentous birthday he is having. Then next oncology appointment is next week and it is always a worrying time until we have seen the consultant. Mr Mog does seem to be doing well though for which I am grateful.
I've not been very creative lately, the pain seems to stop the muse visiting much, I don't think she likes to see me in this way.
It is part of the balance that we have within our lives, can't all be a high there has to be a low to balance things out. The trick is to remember that and treat the low points as positive things to work through. Not to let it beat you. Or in this case, me:)

The moon she be waxing.

The moon is nicely rising day by day and can be seen all day at the moment as well as at night. I've been sitting in the garden watching Mr Mog planting new things and overhead is the faint outline of the moon.
This was taken last night as the light was fading. Not a cloud in the sky, indeed there isn't today either. It has been rather gorgeous. We had to go visiting friends for an hour or two this morning but the rest of the day was spent around the garden.
I've just seen some geese going over, calling to us to see if we wanted to go with them.
Perhaps not.
These barns are for you Diana, taken on our recent visit to see Mr Mog's aged parent.
Also on the same journey going over Sebergham,the river surrounded by new growth.
The bridge is double arched and so pretty at the minute with all the flowers.
Lots of poppies everywhere
As I mentioned yesterday, I have started Elsewhere and this was yesterday's picture. I am a little further on now.
I am loving the yarn and especially the fabulous colours Laal Bear dyed it for me.

The moon this month is bringing me lots of vivid dreams, I seem to be busy all night in them and they vary from odd to strange. Some of this is Beltaine energy and some I think because I've started doing morning pages again. Each morning 3 pages before I get up. I fill them with everything that comes out of my head and I am sure that is why the dreams. After all you have to have something to write down:)

A jacket, for me?How kind . What next?

There is finished knitting chez Moggie.
What is more it is for me this time.
I haven't knit jackets or sweaters for many a year. I became obsessed with shawls and then latterly socks and there just wasn't time for anything else.
That has now officially changed thanks to the efforts of an ursine friend of mine.
This friend of mine was wearing a jacket when she came visiting and I liked it. You would think that was the end of it? Not so. Said ursine friend showed me the pattern, told me it was easy. Whispered blandishments in my ear, "it won't take long, there isn't much pattern, , it is knit sideways so 1 main piece then just 2 little sleeves, it will soon be finished"
Oh what a tangled web she wove. Made worse when we found out that the self same yarn was on sale at Kemps for just 79p per ball instead of £2.95. Meant to be I think.
I tentatively cast on and started to knit. This wasn't half bad and grew speedily as the yarn is aran weight.
There were one or two minor drawbacks when I went wrong with the double moss stitch and had to frog a few rows but I soldiered on.
Very soon it was ready for pinning together

Then stitching the sleeves in.

After blocking it went over the line to finish off the drying.

Tried on, mumm ok, will grow as it is worn.
Over all verdict? Not too bad.
However said friend had something else up her sleeve, if you will excuse the pun.
Now you have finished that how about trying Elsewhere?by Amy Swenson. The link is a ravelry one so not sure if it can be seen. It can be seen made up by that self same ursine person on her blog though:) Scroll down and you will see the finished jacket and also what finally tempted me down the jacket path once more.
Yes said Bear dyed some yarn for hers and kindly offered to dye some yarn for me to match my new boots. We are bartering skills for this.


Here you see my downfall and I've now cast on for the jacket.