early 

vintage 

Autumnal mists in abundance and the mog is sorting vintage patterns

I awoke to the most fantastic dragons breath across the forest. It rose and fell around the various trees as it went gently across the meadow. Some parts swirled as I watched as though the dragon took a breath at that point. Dragons breath always reminds me of the Arthurian films and the listening to old fables with my nanny by the fire. When she started a tale you huddled closer to the warmth of the fire becuase you never knew if it would be scarey or no. Most had a little scaryness within them after all thats what makes the best of tales surely?
It is starting to be very cold now chez moggies and I am taking some adjusting to living with that. No instant heat from the flick of a switch, we have to get the fire lit then wait for the heat to percolate through the pipes. I'm still awaiting a new wood burner in the craft room so as I type I have my Children of Lir shawl across the shoulders, it is so warm and a comfort to wear Jo. However it does tend to take me off on strange journeying:))
I had strange dreams last night with it being full moon, very exhausting and a pleasure to wake from.
I'm busy sorting out vintage patterns for putting on ebay, lots from the 40s and 50s in knit and crochet. I will never make them so I'm thinking sell them or trade if anyone collects?? I can always use new yarn for the stash, but then can't we all?
I felt a great sense of relief putting the Ashford on ebay, it isn't looking at me in quite the same way now it knows it is going to someone who will apreciate it,. There again always open to offers if anyone wants one?
I am going to go finish the cavendish throw now, maybe pics later/ I will leave you with a picture of some of the old patterns

It's Saturday night and full moon

The moon is full on this Saturday night and I feel energised from her light. We are heading towards Samhain, the Celtic new year and a time to reflect on what is left behind in the old year and what aspirations, hopes and dreams await in the new. With this in mind I'm selling the Ashford spinning wheel. It sits in the corner of my craft room and looks at me. It asks why I don't want to play and makes me feel guilty. I can't spin,. it hurts way too much so no more trying for me. I am going to stick to the yarn skills I can enjoy, such as knit and crochet. Someone else will give it a better home so on to ebay it goes. Its been a hectic week , grandsons were great and fun to be with. However it rained every day we were there which spoilt our mooching about some what. I have been so sore with all the damp weather and that doesn't help. We have another 3 weeks to do and then no 400 mile round trips. I haven't done much knitting til I got home but the noro cavendish blanket is almost done, tomorrow should show pictures all being well. My craft room is now as I want it and I have my altar set up which is good. I always like to have a light burning when I'm in there it is a visible connection with the goddess and also a light to show my muse where to come visit:) She needs all the help she can get these days. My muse is a flighty creature, she visits as and when she chooses it has nothing to do with when I'd like her help. However the days she comes she inspires, she tantalises and teases me into crafting.
Words from nowhere and nothing except that I'm low with pain perhaps?
For earth below so beautious lies
where man belongs and has his ties

For after all we view life as monochromatic
shades of one colour cluster around us
all colours one within our sight
difference is in shade, light or dark
washed with the morning sun
or evening moonlight
my red is your blue

SP9 questionnaire

That time again:) time to play SP9 and here are my answers to the questions:)
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?I adore Noro, lornas laces, colinette and any handpainted hand dyed or unusual yarns. I am not too keen on acrylics unless main percentage of a blend is wool.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have an old knitting bag of my grans, a wicker box and a whisky tin.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?Been knitting over 50 years now(shush) My nan taught me as a young girl and I'd consider myself intermediate maybe
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?NO
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)Patchouli the mog is an old hippy
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? very sweet tooth and adore Green and Blacks choc or any dark chocolate,
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?I crochet, make books ,cards and elemental figures. I can't spin although I have a spinning wheel it is too painful. I am maybe going to have a go with a drop spindle when I get round to getting one
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)love blues, drumming, new age like Carolyn Hillier does
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?Fav colours deep and jewel shades, reds oranges purples blues most really. Not too keen on pastels
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? No pets now sadly have a Mr Mog at home, grown up children and 2 grandsons
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?Love hats scarves shawls
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Currently loving making throws, rugs, shawls hats and bags
13. What are you knitting right now?A throw in noro kureyon and a bag in noro plus a shawl in lots of different yarns
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?love knitted gifts that someone has thought of me for:)
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?prefer circs, would love to try some wooden straight ones
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Not yet have to make do with Mr Mog or a chair
17. How old is your oldest UFO?1 month
18. What is your favorite holiday?Samhain or Halloween
19. Is there anything that you collect? apart from yarn?
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Any unusual or hand dyed hand painted yarns, patterns for throws and shawls, bags always appreciated. I subscribe to Interweave knits and the UK knitting magazines
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?can't think of any
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?sore point, can't get my head round socks when I get to the heel so they usually become amulet bags I take a size 5 in British sizes
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) August 21st

Catch up time and sunrise circle jacket

No photos its been a busy week. We are still looking after our 2 grandsons Tuesday through to Thursday each week, another 3 to go:) It means that at the moment I'm only able to get on line Friday to Monday another reason I am quiet. Great fun spending time with the boys but very tiring also. The journey is a long one each way and what do we do when we are there while they are at school? I don't like to sit in all day its far too boring for this moggie. I can only do so much knitting and crochet a day. We have been going out soon as boys at school, catching up with friends and generally just mooching about. Last week we went to Hebden Bridge one day, I love HB especially on Wednesdays when the junk market is on, although sadly the hippy stalls of last year are gone now and its mainly antique type stuff. Attica the wool shop was closed so no browsing there. I did however score 2 cones of mixed yarns 50p each, they are made of a black core yarn with various colours plied with the black and I think may make a shawl mixed with something else. We had a great lunch at o ne of the veggie places and a stunning journey back with views for miles across the moors.
This week I think we are having one day in Lancaster and one in the trough of bowland maybe going through to Clitheroe.
Sunrise jacket, I have a yen to knit this:) Anyone done so and have yarn suggestions? I'm fancying a rainbow effect (sunrise colours naturally) I didn't want to use silk garden what else is there?

Autumn Equinox, turning seasons

It is the autumnal equinox and the wheel has turned quietly towards the dark half of the year. A time of year to go more inward, retrospective. As the days shorten a time to create more inside. Not much more fruit to pick. Sloes, damsons and plums oh and any windfall apples I can find:) Blackberries are finished and the leaves are turning on the bramble stems. As we drive around I see that the chestnut is now totally in her autumn gown. She is first to don her spring leaves and first to drop them. We are sitting our grandsons at the moment,Tuesday to Thursday evening for the next few weeks and its great:) The first week has been a delight, tinged with minor aggrevations. My daughter has all the mod cons, dishwasher, aga, microwave with convection but sadly no conventional cooker. This moggie adores her kitchen and can't get to grips with cooking a la microwave. The aga isn't on yet so no help there. This week I'm taking my camping stove with us to0 supplement the micro:))
To spend beofre and after school with the boys is a real priviledge, I'm getting to know much more about them, their likes and dislikes, their worries. I've also been able to catch up with friends where we used to live and things like Ikea:) No yarn shops yet, a\lthough the month is young. The real luxury is a very deep bath, to spend time in bubbles that cover me is a pleasure beyond compare. Our bath is a mere apology after this.
I am knitting a noro throw for the bottom of the bed, although not much done this week. Photos soon.
Tomorrow we are having a drumming night to celebrate Mabon(the autumn equinox). I've got a big pan of beef stew cooking away slowly. Infused with limes, cinnamon and a little chilli powder. It will be served with jacket tatties(potatoes) and followed hopefully by damson fool.

Children of Lir, Celtic Memory fabulous yarn 

assorted yarns 

noro silver thaw I think 

noro silk garden