Winter is Near

I really don't think we have very much Autumn left here now as nearly all the leaves have gone from the trees and the temperature has suddenly plummeted. Today I've been cold right down to my bones and it definitely feels like winter is near.  

Our days continue to shorten and often we are walking home from school as the sun dips down below the horizon. It's just over four weeks until the Winter Solstice - I can't help but count down the days until this turning point in our seasonal calendar which I love to celebrate.....bring on all the greenery, candles and extra minutes of daylight!

It's not often that I'm out and about after dark, but every so often there is a need to make an evening dash to the supermarket for something or another (we'd run out of bread on this occasion, and the Little People had put in a plea for some ice cream while I was at it). I love seeing the old mill building all lit up, casting golden, glowing reflections into the canal as I dash across the bridge.

Winter must be near because the potted hyacinth bulbs have arrived in the supermarket, making me very happy indeed. I decided last year that Festive Bulbs would be a feature of my Christmas mantel, and I'm so looking forward to the flowers arriving during the next month or so. These small, seasonal pleasures are so important to me, they guide me gently through the year bringing about a soothing sort of daily rhythm and oodles of comfort and joy.

I've had hyacinths indoors every November since moving to this house (my first bloggy hyacinths in 2008) and they always bring a whiff of winter with them when they first arrive. Incidentally, I'm sorry about the weird angle of the above photo, it looks as if everything is about to tip forward and crash onto the hearth, but I promise you all is safe and stable here in the Attic. I think I just had a lean on myself yesterday afternoon, gosh yesterday was a super tiring day for some reason. 

We continue to worship our fireplace - another seasonal pleasure which delivers untold hours of comfort. I'm in charge of the fire here, always. I relish the job, even the messy cleaning out of the ash and burnt out debri makes me happy because I know a new fire will be happening again very soon. J is rubbish at making the fire (seriously, he is just far too stingy with the kindling - lighting a good fire needs a precise and generous arrangement of fuel I tell you). I love having an open fire so so much.

Last week I had the absolute toe curling pleasure of playing with the above pile of felty gorgeousness. This is my beloved stack of wool-blend felt (40% wool content, it's really rather lovely and can be found here and here), and I'll be showing you what I was up to very soon. If you are veeeeeeeeeeeeery curious as to what I was up to and cannot possibly wait for me to spill the creative beans, you might like to go and peek here for a clue).............oh yeah, I know you are going to go peek and gasp and understand instantly how I was powerless to resist. More soon.

Behind the scenes, I'm working hard (I use the word working very loosely here) on my Sweet Pea blanket which I will be running as a CAL (crochet-a-long) at the start of 2019. I've been thinking back over my previous CAL's as this will be the fifth year for me doing my annual winter blanket. Do you remember them all?

Shown above there is Woodland (2018), and Moorland (2017). Before that there was the Sunny Log Cabin (2015) and the Cosy Stripe (2014). I can truly say that I love each and every blanket of mine - they all hold so many precious memories of time and place, and each colour palette is special to me for so many different reasons. I design my blankets with a great deal of emotion, and there is always a story/memory that is real and heart felt behind each one. I hope you feel it too.

Yesterday I shared the above sneaky peek on social media......oh there is so much excitement brewing for these pretty Sweet Pea colours! I'm just waiting to finalise things with my friends at Wool Warehouse but we are almost there....I'm giddy with it all, honestly, I am pretty much bouncing off the walls at the prospect of setting off on a new colour-filled crochet journey. This time of year is made for crochet blankets in gorgeous colours, such a huge amount of welcome winter feel-good. I can't wait!

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Comments

[saude brota da natureza]

I love a wood fire as well. I grew up with a wood burning stove in the family room and the smell of a fire burning takes me back to those times. I love your patterns and your eye for colors

[Joan]

Lucy, I bought the Sweet Pee yarn pack. I'm a beginner and I want to make sure to buy the right hook. What size are you using with the CAL, so I'm already for January

[Samantha Bishop]

After living in the UK for 20 years, I moved back to Australia three years ago. My goodness, this blog has made me homesick for England! Christmas just isn't the same in the blazing sunshine - and that's from someone who grew up here! But we will still have our fairy lights, and show these poor deprived Aussies how to do Christmas :)

[MaryAnn]

I love a wood fire as well. I grew up with a wood burning stove in the family room and the smell of a fire burning takes me back to those times. I love your patterns and your eye for colors. Much love from me to you!

[Carol Partridge]

It has to be said, you have a wonderful eye for colour. Another beautiful collection . My dad used to spread the fire ashes on our garden path. We had a cinder path. ( thought everyone did when I was a kid)

[Spike]

I adore sweet peas. What a gorgeous palette of colour. I love seeing the yarn next to the blooms.

[Lara]

Oh ... my ... goodness - I should not have clicked on the links for Paper and String - such felty goodness! I'm making some felt penguins for Christmas and I'm sure I need more supplies ... :)

[melissa]

Hi, there! Just popped by for a visit and I have to say I absolutely love your mantle! Such gorgeousness!

[Jenny]

Lovely lovely Lucy !
Love Jenny from Cornwall xx

[dette]

I love mmm crafts 12 days of Christmas. Have made many snowbirds and add one each year. Gorgeous. Cant wait to see yours.

[Helen]

Oh those sweet pea colors. Sweet peas were one of the favorites for one of my aunts and I remember her yard having a wall of them along the garage. Zinnias were another favorite which you have in your 'fall' color blankets. I might have to just buy the yarn it's so delish.

[Elaine allerton]

Started my first cal with u last january! And had not crocheted in years! Was just what I needed,,,
Then went onto hydrangea, ,,, almost finished it,,,
So will be ready to start a new one in january!
Winter is here, too, snow, snow and cold,,, brr,
Have a propane fire,,, its ok,, but not as warm as wood,
Yours is lovely,,,
Enjiy ur posts,,,,

[Heidi Clarke]

I would love an open fire, I have fond memories of my school uniform having a wood smoke smell on a Monday morning,after mum ironed in the living room on Sunday night [don't remember being so pleased as a teenager]. Can't wait for the cal have money tucked away.

[Creative Mummy Bear]

I'm with you on the fire-loving! Our living room, where the wood stove lives, is currently 'kitchen makeover central' so out of use for sitting, and we are using the front room instead. Yes, it's nice, but the coal effect gas fire just isn't the same! Missing the wood stove big time! xxxx

[Arlene]

OMGeee, you are right... I want to make all of them!

How absolutely beautiful each of them are.

[Kathryn Ashe]

Looking at your photo from 2008, I see your creativity just grows and grows year after year. I am so glad you chose crochet as your creative outlet.

[Hedy]

Lovely post today, thinking of trying that new Sweet Pea blanket, I’m not such a good knitter or crocheting but I could try.

[Julianna]

Amo outono e o inverno. São estações aconchegantes.

[Ness]

Gosh yes, Winter is a coming!!!!!!!! It has been so cold today and the greyness...oh the greyness......greyness that can only be overcome with candles and lamps and cosy warmth of a fire...or radiator!!!!

That's weird, as I got out my big stash of felt and decided that I wanted to do something with it all. Actually a Christmas Wreath brooch sprang to mind, but goodness knows where I am going to find the time. Your project in the making looks adorable. I always think I have so much time to make Christmas ornaments......and then whoosh, Christmas comes and goes and those thoughts don't get past my head stage! One year will be a creative Christmas I'm sure!

Stay cosy under your blankets Lucy. Mine are being put to pretty good use at the moment in every room!

Take care lovely xxxxxx

[Therese prince]

Can't wait for the Sweet Pea Blanket...I fell in love with the 12 Days of Christmas on Pinterest and have got the pattern ready to do...Paper & String are great, their service is excellent !!

[Charlotte.]

Love your fireplace. Yes, it is Winter. Beautiful sweet pea colors, looking forward to the blanket.

[Angela- Southern USA]

The fire and mantel looks so cozy. I'm sure the felt pieces will be gorgeous, as well as the blanket. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Marijke]

Gorgeous photos, as always. Love the bright colours of the canal boats against the dark, wintry sky. Oh, those felt ornaments. Gorgeous! And I can almost smell the sweet peas. You've chose lovely colours. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you are creating with them.

[Crafty GJ]

Can’t wait. It will become my memory blanket. My dad who died 8 months ago was a gardener and I have fond memories of sweet peas. Dad used to cut them in the morning so I could take a bunch for my teacher at school. The fragrance reminds me of sunny childhood. X

[Tanya]

Can’t. Wait! That colour palette is my absolute favourite! Roll on January!