Gotland

We have a new range of Gotland DK wool out at Blacker Yarns, and the subtle colours of this range just led me immediately to think rural woodland, which lucky there is plenty of this around near me. Gotland sheep originated from the Swedish island of Gotland over a thousand years ago and were imported into the UK in the 1970s.

My secret for the robin photos was that behind the wool is a small pile of bird seed. A few blue tits rushed in and out, and below the table at one stage there was a grey squirrel, who I was hoping would jump up. But the robin was the animal who seemed to want to pose, and perhaps knew I had picked the colours with him in mind.

The primroses are in full flower on the bank at the front of my house. I love this time of year, when everything is starting up again in nature.

This slate wall seemed the ideal place to photograph the full range of the wools, but I had to use another trick. Although there were a few catkins behind, they were not really in the right place or very bright, so my husband is holding this branch of more lush catkins for me.

Blacker Yarns have a number of project kits just out using the Gotland DK yarn. You can click on the names to go to each kit: Simple Sweater, Guernsey-style Tunic, and Long Cardy.

I will be doing another post on these wools, with some little samples I have knitted to show how the colours look together, also themed around English woodland.

Spring Flowers - Apple Blossom Baby Shoes

So many Spring flowers seem to be appearing. I love this season, but you have to make the most of it, as with some of the flowers they are here for a week or two and then they are gone. So I have been out with my camera, and then using the ideas for some inspiration for embroidery on some new baby shoes for my shop.

These shoes were inspired by Apple Blossom, but also by this lovely blue wool that I found in my stash. I love it when wool changes shade, and for these I was careful to get the colour change to match in both shoes. The pattern is my Baby Bee Shoe pattern. It is a fairly easy knit, but I love to make them individual with a bit of embroidery. These shoes are heading for my Etsy Shop, although first I will make a little drawstring bag for them. I have some more flower-inspired shoes and photographs on the way.

Just a reminder that my Ginx Woolly Linx party for May is now running. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

"If in April"

If in April

If in April snow still lies upon the ground

With icy patches on the path,

You slip and bruise your knee

But still can struggle up and say

"I know that Spring is on the way".

Then you've got guts, my dear.

And if a gale has roared for days

And all your shrubs have been uprooted

And half the fence has blown away,

So last year's gardening was all in vain,

Yet you can say "I'll start again".

Then you have pluck, my dear.

And if the rain is pouring down

And your garden's one gigantic puddle

With all your seedlings washed away,

But you can calmly say

"I'll have to sow again".

Then you are brave, my dear.

But if in April, inbetween the showers

You see a patch of bright blue sky

And smell the scent of newly opened flowers

And see the shoots are breaking on the bough

It's then I know that you will say

"Spring at last is here to stay".

Peggy Watkins (1920-2017)

Daffodils

Snowdrops

Busy making some baby shoes and mittens. These were ordered to match a specific baby suit. I love green - my favourite colour. And so I have been waiting for the chance to go out and photograph some real snowdrops. One of my favourite flowers, and a sign that Spring is on its way.

Stop posting nature photos. This is meant to be a craft blog!

I'm not quite sure what's got into me. I went to the park today, and the approaching thunderstorm looked great, as well as this huge tree. Then after a shower of rain I started taking photos of the plants in my back garden. Since they announced we're in a drought it doesn't seem to have stopped raining. But I am definitely going to stop posting photos, and put on something crafty next. 

Week In Devon

We have been away for the week in Devon. We had a lovely week, with mainly great spring weather. Although we were in the south of Devon, we kept gravitating towards Dartmoor. I'm just going to put on a few of my favourite photos.  I failed to take one that would do justice to the many banks of primroses we saw.

 

This photo was taken near Buckland Abbey, where big one found the sheep skull in a field, which he has added to his collection.

I have not done much crafting this week.  Helped little one make an outfit for Bongo the Monkey.