August Monday
It’s the start of another week and now we’re into August. It’s caught me by surprise a little bit – I only just wrote my July Monthly Musing on time last week! I think it’s because we no longer have school age children at home so we’re not governed by end of term … it struck me when I was out in the fields with the dog the other evening, watching the swallows skimming over the ripening barley, that for the first in time in countless years, this summer has felt as wonderfully endless as it used to when I was a child.
Big daughter is still around, of course, and I’ve actually seen quite a lot of her recently, but not so small daughter has stayed in her university city as she has a job and is working over the summer so our conversations are mostly by text – and mostly just as I’m about to go to bed as that’s when she’s at her most sociable. My husband went over to see her at the weekend to help move some things around and bring back some stuff that won’t fit into her new place (we did keep tell her to stop buying things and we knew the words had fallen on deaf ears 🤣), laden down with a bag full of freshly baked bread, scones, flapjack and most excitingly (or maybe not), trial tablets of altitude sickness medication that she needs to take before she goes to climb Kilimanjaro in just a few short weeks.
They went out for breakfast together (breakfast out is always a treat in our house) and spent the afternoon at the gym (I think this was so that my husband can reassure himself that she has been doing sufficient training for her trek). Left at home, big daughter and I treated ourselves to an afternoon tea box from The Cornish Company so that we didn’t feel left out (ha!). I could have made more scones for us and whipped up some cream and got out the jam myself, but it’s very nice to have it all done for you with a can of Pimms and some extra treats in the box as well, and I had the pleasure of sharing it with my girl.
I’ve used The Cornish Company for years now to send gifts as they’re always delivered on time, always taste good, and they also offer gluten-free options which is wonderful for my GF friends, and we felt very spoilt with a box for ourselves!
Astrid has decided that she needs her own nest so I cut the lid off the box so that she could sit in the packaging and pretend she was some kind of furry bird. We have certainly got our money’s worth out of this delivery! 🙂
It’s a bit of a grumpy, blurred photo because she really wanted to sit in the box on the kitchen worktop and won’t have it that it’s not hygienic and cats should keep their paws off the worktops. I think she was also a bit concerned that the dog was heading in her direction thinking there might be something in the box for him, but I’ve moved it to somewhere a bit more appropriate and everyone is happy again.
I’ve spent quite a lot of time in the garden over last week and the weekend but there’s nothing to show you apart from a pile of weeds that I’ve pulled up. I’ve wrenched some ENORMOUS dock plants from the borders, battled with seriously vicious brambles and been nettled more times that I can count, but I think I am slowly starting to see some progress.
I’ve mentioned before that I came home from the Chelsea Flower Show with lots of ideas and I do still need to show you my photos from that day – I’m planning something of a redesign in the borders and I have to temper my excitement with how much I am able to do whilst still doing everything else I have to do in the week! I will keep you updated though, don’t worry – there will be no shortage of garden spam to come! 🙂
What I have done that I can show you is finished two trekking socks for not so small daughter.
Ordinarily, two socks would make a pair and for my girl who is not bothered about matching socks, she would be completely fine with two socks in different shades of green and even different yarns. However, her mother is bothered about matching socks and that’s why there’s another sock cuff on the needles.
I’m actually trying out two versions of the pattern – one with 4ply yarn held double, as you can see above, and the other in West Yorkshire Spinners Revival DK yarn which is a new WYS yarn that came out at the beginning of the year (you can find out more about it here, and you can see the socks I knitted in it at the time here). Wool Revival is a double knit yarn which is great for socks as it has nylon in it, but if you’re anything like me then you have a LOT of 4ply in your stash and I wanted to see how if the sizing would change if I used that as an alternative.
The good news is that it’s not made any difference. I’ve knitted on the same size needles and I’m getting the same tension (gauge) for both so this will mean that this pattern will be good for lots of pairs of socks without necessarily having to buy more yarn if you’ve got 4ply stash. Having said that, the Wool Revival yarn is lovely so I wouldn’t want to dissuade you from trying it out!
Hattie was keen to help me with the photography …
Seriously, this is what I’m up against as soon as I try to set up any photos at the moment …
There’s rolling about, cat fur everywhere, feet stuck in the yarn, a crafty chew on the needles when she thinks I’m not looking … she’s not exactly setting a high standard as a Sock Design Supervisor and we have Had Words about what is expected from this highly sought-after role (well, not that highly, Astrid would rather sit in her nest). Hattie has promised me that she’ll do better in future, but I don’t expect there to be much change!
The new pattern is coming along really nicely now so I’m going to carry on knitting and aim to have it ready to release in September, because that’s when not so small daughter will be in the middle of her trek and September is always a good time to have something new to get your teeth into.
Oh, which reminds me. I’ve got an idea brewing for Christmas and holiday sock knitting … I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments about whether you knit socks for gifts and when you make a start. It always seems a bit too soon when the sun is still high in the sky but the days rush along and before you know it … jingle bells, it’s sudden that time of year!
For this August Monday afternoon, though, working hard on a new pattern means I am officially allowed to spend the rest of the day knitting socks so that’s what I’m going to do!
Have a lovely week, I’ll catch up with you again soon! xx
Dear Christine,
Thank you for the wonderful pictures and the glimpse into your life.
There is no such thing as starting too early for Christmas. I knit socks all year round and certainly as gifts for Christmas. I love the WYS Christmas yarns as they are so festive. So I use those for special Christmas socks. I usually start in September with those. There is still time in the autumn, but in November and December I always find that there is so much else going on that it is better to have the sock knitting nearly done.
Have a wonderful sunny and summery week,
Julia
The WYS Christmas yarns have been coming out earlier for a few years partly to make sure that the yarn arrives with overseas stockists in time, but I think also to make sure that people have plenty of time to knit their socks (or whatever else – I must remember their yarn isn’t just for socks!). You’re another one who sounds very organised! 🙂 xx
Hi Christine
I’m writing from cold, wet and windy Canberra, Australia and I too think there is no such thing as starting too early for Christmas. Admittedly, in 30 degree heat air conditioning helps. Knitting socks in July for Christmas gifts (complete with your sock bands) is the ideal, but last minute finishing of gift socks often happens. It’s all about yarn options, timing, being in a different hemisphere, and seizing opportunities.
Yes – the seized opportunities are vital! 🙂 I hope you’ve been able to keep cool while you’ve been knitting your socks this year! xx
That cream tea looks delicious – what a great gift idea, thank you. As has already been said, it is never too early to start on Christmas socks! I only need two pairs, but along with all the other sewing etc I do I need to start early. One and a half pairs down now. xx
Ooh, you’re doing well – doesn’t it feel good to have them ticked off your list? 🙂 xx
Hi Christine
I’m knitting socks all the time and have a nice stock for birthday and Christmas gifts
for my 3 daughters, daughter-in-law and grandson who are great fans of my socks.
Means I can’t resist a wool shop anywhere I see one!
You sound super-organised – and it’s lovely that you’ve got fans who will be delighted with their woolly gifts! 🙂 xx
I’m so glad you told us about the cream tea, mum would love that.
I intend to knit some Christmas socks from mid-August onwards.
It’s worth getting on their mailing list as sometimes they have an offer on too! Thanks for letting me know about your Christmas socks! 🙂 xx
Hi
I have used two strands of 4 ply to knit your boot socks pattern. It has worked well and I have two beautifully random socks! And a much smaller stash.
That’s brilliant, I’m glad it worked out for you! Yes, it does use up the stash pretty quickly, doesn’t it – I’ve just realised that I’m not going to get the full pair out of one ball so if I was stash-busting, this would be great! 🙂 xx
I love your thoughts on the expansiveness of summer post-active childraising years. I am in my second summer of the empty nest and I am experiencing this also and it is so delicious! There is nothing “bearing down on me” come fall. Nothing that I have to prepare for & stock supplies for. I don’t have to prematurely leave a summer mindset to start thinking about back to school, in our case back to homeschool. anyway, loved the thoughts and can resonate with them.
I so enjoyed reading your blog posts about this, and I think it’s interesting that we’ve probably both experienced the empty nest in a similar way but with a different focus. After years of being someone’s “something”, it’s not that easy to be everything to yourself! We just need to keep practising 🙂 xx
As a Devonian the cream goes on first, there is quite a rivalry between Devon and Cornwall regarding this. It’s quite funny how heated the debate gets. My daughter lives on the Isle of Man and had a cream tea where they used squirty cream. A definite no-no.
Aaarrrrgggghhhh! Squirty cream on a scone! It’s just for topping hot chocolate, isn’t it?
Oh yes, I’ve seen lots about this debate and it makes me laugh that “jam first” is printed all over the box from the scone company. Still if it makes people happy to debate that … in the end, it’s all going to get mixed up together whichever way round it goes – and I’m with you with the squirty cream! 🙂 xx
I only make things for people who appreciate the time spent making them, so not many! However, I do start Christmas early in the year, buying gifts when I see them. so it’s not such a mad panic in December.
Choosing who you are going to knit for is such an important place to start, isn’t it? I think we can get carried away sometimes offering to knit socks for everybody (I’ve certainly fallen into that one in the past!) and then it ends up being a big stress right before Christmas. You sound very organised! 🙂 xx
Oh love the cream tea from Cornwall. My husband and I both broke our arms just a couple of months ago and my daughter sent us a box including Cornish pasties as a surprise. It was such a treat. I haven’t been able to knit for a while now but am just getting back into it. I knit on four needles and have managed to do a round before my wrist gets tired. Luckily i have a couple of pairs already done for Christmas gifts. Not being able to knit hasn’t stopped me buying yarn for when I can back to it!
Oh goodness, that’s bad luck for both of you at the same time! I do hope you are both on the mend now and your wrist is getting stronger so that you can knit. Your daughter obviously knows where all the best scones are ( 🙂 ), and I’ve seen the boxes with the pasties but haven’t tried those – I hope they were good! xx
I bet that a story of both a husband and wife breaking their arms together! Hope you heal quickly and get on to the knitting! Best wishes from Maryland US
Lovely to slow down and read your blog post in Cǒte where I have had lunch with a friend who had to dash off! I no longer promise Christmas socks as it makes autumn too streaky so I mostly do birthday socks for my sons and their partners (and there’s a birthday in November and one in Xmas eve so that’s plenty) 😊 Will definitely try a DK one though as that would grow quicker. Enjoy the remaining Summer, there’s still Perseids to come and the 2nd week of September is invariably lovely weather (down south here at least) plus the evenings are still light and glowing so I’m not done till that certain scent on a cool morning hits us, hopefully after the autumn equinox
I am glad I kept you company in Cote! Birthday socks are a good alternative as they’re (usually) more spread out so it doesn’t feel like too much of a commitment. Every year I think I need to watch out for Perseids and every year I forget so maybe this year will be the one – and I know exactly what you mean about that autumn smell! 🙂 xx
I live in a small village in the south of France (pop.600+) and a group of us meet in the local cafe on Fridays at 6pm in the “season”. When the cafe closes for winter we meet in eachother’s homes. At Christmas I circulate a basket of socks so each person can choose a pair of socks, since there are between 6 and 20 of us, depending upon the week, I knit socks for Christmas all year round!
This is so lovely – it sounds like you’ve got a very happy community there and I bet everyone loves choosing socks from your basket! 🙂 xx
I started knitting for Christmas some time ago – and actually gave away two pairs of socks ready for Christmas to my sister as she was complaining that she needed some new ones – so she will not get any socks for Christmas.
Some of my knitted presents have to be posted to America so I do start early.
I love the photos of the cats and the Cornish Tea – my mother lived in Cornwall for many years so we are definitely cream on top!
I have a cousin on the Isle of Man and must check out the revolting notion of squirty cream on scones as per your respondent above!
I am really looking forward to seeing your garden plans – as someone who has helped dig up and redesign over half of our back garden in the past 18 months I love seeing what other people are doing. We got rid of a giant Choisya – I had no idea what sort of a thug it was when we planted it and how far it can “walk” and some very old Holly trees and a giant Rhododendron – now the garden is much airier and we were able to replace the fences too as they had been covered up by huge shrubbery. Everything seems to be thriving so far!
August starts feeling autumnal at times and we are having cooler nights at the moment which is bliss.
I hope those affected by Storm Floris are now Ok and have not suffered too much damage.
I think I would have been more surprised if you hadn’t started yet – you always strike me as someone very organised in that department! 🙂 I’ve got a Choisya but it’s never grown that big; it could be the variety or just that you get warmer weather where you are. I’ll have to keep a close eye on it now just in case it puts on a growth spurt! 🙂 xx
I used to love reading blogs, back in the day, but got out of the practice of settling down for a read…so to come back again has been a delight! A lovely chatty post – you don’t get this on Instagram, so you! It sounds as though you all had a great weekend – given the choice, mind you, I would have skipped the gym, too, and stuck to that afternoon tea!
I don’t think there are as many of the “old” type of blogs around – a lot of the ones I used to read have finished now – although it’s more likely that I just haven’t found new ones yet. I’m glad you enjoyed reading mine! 🙂 xx
I like to start my Christmas knitting
now. I’m not that fast of a knitter.
I always start in July/August so I have no pressure i also do crochet so any Christmas present start now
That’s a really good idea if you know it’s going to take you more time. I hope you get everything finished early! 🙂 xx
I knit socks all year round and most end up being given as gifts. If o think the colour will suit someone I just make them longer to accommodate a longer foot than mine. I make fingerless mitts as well as they are popular and I have 5 or 6 patterns that keep them interesting for me.
You sound very organised! It’s good that you’ve got a system for the gifts you’re knitting! 🙂 xx
I’m currently knitting a hat with WYS previous Christmas yarn and have got other plans for Christmas gifts, so no, not too early!
You’re well into your gift-knitting plans! I’m impressed! 🙂 xx
I’m a relatively new knitter, and I’m not fast, but I think I’m good enough at socks now that I can give them as gifts. I just finished a pair for my daughter for Christmas that I started in May, so in my opinion, it’s never too early to start making holiday presents.
I do love your chatty posts. It’s like catching up with a good friend.
Ah, that’s very kind of you to say, thank you! You certainly got a head start on the Christmas knitting – and isn’t it a relief to have that one ticked off the list? 🙂 xx
Love your cream tea box! I found a British expat in Florida who has a similar business and plan on trying it out. I love tea and grew up drinking tea from childhood in my Irish heritage family. What is hard to get in the US is clotted cream. It is very occasionally available in a local grocery. Currently I have 2 10 week old kittens. I had forgotten the impact it would have on knitting. My current socks are slow going. I ordinarly always have socks on the go. My goal this year is to try different heels to see if there is a perfect one for me. My go to is heel flap and gusset. I look forward to the Trekking socks. They will make perfect boot socks for all the family. Will your pattern include children’s sizes also? Love your newsletter! It brings a little bit of British knitty goodness to me.