Garden Update April

 

Decided to start my garden diary early this year. As you can see the vegetable garden is not looking too bad. Although you can't really tell from this photo we have planted two sorts of potatoes, and some onion sets, and carrot, parsnip and beetroot seeds. Our black plastic covers have worked a treat, and I think it may be worth getting a few more next winter. I have high hopes for this year, because of the extra fertilisation from the chicken poops. 

We lost one chicken over the winter, in a rather mysterious way. We heard a kerfuffle in the afternoon, and the chickens had jumped the garden fence, and although right very to the house Nugget was gone. Babs had jumped up on the fence and was making the noise. No sign of even a feather, but we suspect either a fox or maybe a stoat. So the chickens are leading a slightly more confined life in a bigger run, with only supervised outings in the garden.

The strawberry bed had almost disappeared in weeds, but a bit of work and they have reemerged. I was really pleased to have got a lot of new strawberry plants from runners, which are planted in a trough in the polytunnel. High hopes for these, but maybe won't get much fruit until next year.

We have quite a lot of seedlings on the way in the polytunnel. Peas, broad beans, and a lot of things like squash, courgettes etc. The village plant exchange has already begun, and I am excited to see what my round climbing courgette plant becomes.

We have planted out the runnerbeans a few days ago. I am a little worried out this, because of our experience a few years ago, when there was a late May frost and we lost all our beans. So checking the weather forecast and keeping everything crossed.

Tamara Way Stage 4 Part 1 - Gunnislake to Horsebridge

As we set off on the next stage of our walk, I was very much hoping for bluebells. I know they are around, but we didn't see many. Lots of lovely smelling wild garlic, as well as other wild flowers along the way.

Our route this time was quite often not alongside the river, but we caught glimpses. There was lots of lovely woodland, evidence of historic mining, as well as some interesting villages that we had not been to before.  

We enjoyed passing through Chilsworthy, Latchley and Luckett. Given my interest in knitting we were admiring this lovely decorated phonebox in Latchley, when a nice lady arrived to update the decorations, and told us they were having a party next week to officially open the defibrillator it now holds.

We enjoyed seeing lambs again, and rescued this black beetle from the road.

Luckett Village was also very pretty

We finally arrived at Horsebridge, and this was the view from the bridge, which we crossed back into Devon. We then had a bit of miscommunication with my husband, who we were hoping would be there to pick us up. Very hard to get phone coverage, but there was a handy phonebox (blast from the past) and lemonade from the Royal Inn, which got us through the long wait.

We didn't manage a whole stage again, but are planning to walk more frequently now the weather is improving.

Knit4Monarchs

I just thought because of the date I would reshare this video, which surprised me 9 years ago. I can't imagine that monarch butterflies are still not in need of some help. Please watch the video right to the end, as you will then find out that the best thing you can do if you live in areas of the world where the monarch is endangered is not to knit a home for a caterpillar but to plant milkweed. #gotmilkweed The next best thing would be to make a donation to the David Suzuki Foundation. 

So although knitting a chrysallis will not directly help monarchs, it is a very cute and fun thing to do. It was a very gentle April Fool joke, along the lines of a similar one to knit a coat for a penguin. It is quite funny to think I was a bit of a joke in Canada. 

I was really happy that my pattern was used in this campaign to raise awareness of a serious problem. 

 

Cottage Garden Hot Water Bottle Pattern (and Kit)

I have been busy designing a hot water bottle pattern, using the lovely soft Samite Silk Blend wool from Blacker Yarns, where I work. You can buy the pattern later today in my shops on Etsy, Ravelry and LoveKnitting when I have uploaded them. 

The pattern is designed for DK wool, and there are instructions for two sizes, and information on how to fairly easily adapt it for other sizes of hot water bottle. It also has charts for two flower designs - tulips or poppies.

If you want to buy the pattern and wool as a project kit this is available on the Blacker Yarns website. I think it would make a lovely gift for any knitter who wants to dip their toe into fair isle knitting. It is a fairly easy introduction, as you are only ever working with two yarns at once.

My husband has just told me it is not the time for hot water bottles, but I have pointed out to him that we are only one little bit of the world. I am sure there are places where it is cold. In an effort to save on the heating bill I have frequently sat hugging a hot water bottle this winter.

You can see in the background of the photos below The Lost Flock by Jane Cooper. This is a really interesting read about the history of Boreray sheep, as well as her own personal story of a move from the northeast of England to the Orkney Islands, where she became a sheep farmer with her own flock of this rare breed.

Tamara Way - Stage 3 Part 2 Calstock to Gunnislake New Bridge

The next part of my walk with my son on the Tamara Way started at Calstock. It was a lovely day, although in places a bit muddy underfoot, but at least it felt like spring has finally come. Lots of primroses, wood anenome, dafodils and wild garlic in places - none of which I photographed.

The first part of the walk out of Calstock next to the flood plain was also lovely, with lots of water birds, which I also didn't photograph, so you will just have to believe me. We stopped at these lime kilns, at Okel Tor Quay, and then climbed the hill past Okel Tor Mine.

As we headed up the hill we saw a train going up to Gunnislake, and then a bit later, after crossing the line at the level crossing, we heard what we assumed was the same train coming down, although by then we were above the line and couldn't see it. Up the top of the hill we passed Calstock Church, and the site of a Roman fort. 

We then had a lovely walk through countryside, until we returned to the river. It was interesting to pass the Tamar Manure Canal, and then the weir, which we had not seen before as we are usually up on the main road. Finally made it to New Bridge, where my husband turned up with perfect timing to pick us up.

 

BFF Cowl

I have been busy knitting the first part of the BFF Cowl. This is a two part pattern, and I have started with the first half of the pattern, designed by Tiny Owl Knits. I have to admit that I have been a little bit obsessed by Stephanie Dosen's designs for quite a few years: a wonderful mixture of wizardary and nature. 

I also really enjoyed knitting this cocoon stitch, which after the first few repeats was fairly easy. The only tricky part was the P5tog, but this end result was so satisfying to do that it was worth perservering with this.

This cowl was knitted some Merino DK from Blacker Yarns, where I work. This wool is super soft and lovely to work with. It came on a cone, although it can also be bought by skein, and in 4ply, Aran or lace weights. I have enough left to have a go at the second part of the pattern the Seedpod Cowl designed by Ysolda Teague, which also looks like it will be fun.

Tartan Dressing Gown

Busy sewing a dressing gown again. It does seem that this is the only thing that I sew, but it does mean I have had very good value from this pattern.

 

But this time the pressure was on, as my daughter asked me to make a dressing gown for her friend, as a birthday gift. Both girls are studying fashion at Brighton, so I felt that I should do my best job. 

Actually having said that, with sewing I always try to do my best with each part, however long that takes, as in the end you have a better finished garment. It is one of the two things that worry me with "The Sewing Bee". Firstly have they neatened their seams? And secondly the thought of sewing with a time pressure would be horrendous. It will take as long as it takes. But anyway for this version I did most of the seams as French seams, handmade the binding, as well as a handsewing the hem. Oh dear, I do sound grumpy.

Here is me doing a part way try on, and below is the birthday girl in the finished garment. She looks happy!

Forgot to say that I bought the brushed cotton online from Dalston Mill, as I couldn't find the right thing locally, and was very pleased with it.