Well hello there my lovely Attic visitors, it's so good to see you again! Thank you very much for stopping by after I've been away from this space for a silly amount of time, my break was totally unplanned but it seems life had other ideas for me these past few weeks. October has been a bit up and down, a real mixed blend of feels and my main aim has been to take one day at a time and try to look after my physical and mental well being.
I find Autumn such a strange season to get to grips with as regardless of how visually beautiful it is, I really struggle with the reduced light levels and the underlying feelings of melancholy. It's an odd thing for me as I am generally such an upbeat person and am passionate about celebrating the changing seasons, but this time of year just feels tricky to navigate.
October has been extremely wet for the most part, so the days when the sun has come out to play have felt like the greatest gift. I've been pretty unwell for the past few weeks and have spent a lot of time at home, but short walks into town during dry spells have felt really good. I've had to go slow as my energy levels have been extremely low, but I've appreciated the cool fresh air and the chance to very gently stretch my legs.
Today I woke up feeling very much better (thank heavens!) and have spent some time in my studio which was so good. I do miss my blog when I've been away for a while, it's become such an important part of my life during the past decade. So as it's been a few weeks since I opened my Attic window, I thought it would be nice to have a grand ol' catch up and share a little of what I've been up to, both at home and away.
Just after Yarndale, J and I had the opportunity to escape for a very short break away just the two of us. It was such a blessing, a quick jaunt up into Wensleydale to stay in one of our favourite villages {the very picturesque and atmospheric Askrigg} and walk a couple of our favourite trails in the Yorkshire Dales.
It was very lush but incredibly wet, light rain falling almost non-stop and the ground completely waterlogged. Can you see in the above photo what looks like a small stream flowing at the bottom? Well that was actually the footpath! We had to wade through that little lot which was a very wet and soggy business - thank goodness for my hand knit socks which kept my feet reasonably warm even though my boots were absolutely sodden.
Whole fields had become picturesque lakes, but we managed to navigate the paths and enjoy the peacefulness of the landscape with very few people about. It was such a tonic, and arriving at our cosy bed and breakfast after miles of wet wandering was pure bliss. We had a delicious dinner and a few beers beside the open fire in one of our favourite pubs (The Kings Arms) followed by an early night in one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in.
We returned home the following afternoon, so it really was a short break (30 hours in total) but it was enough to recharge my batteries after the whirlwind that was Yarndale. I think short breaks away from home are bloomin' marvelous things, and J and I are very fortunate to have his wonderful parents close by to take care of the Little People for us from time to time. I appreciate it very much I have to say.
A few days after Wensleydale and I was preparing for another trip away, this time on my own. This is something that has become a fixture in my calendar in recent years, my annual trip to London to visit the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. I traveled down by train, meeting up with my fab friend Christine before heading to the show in the late afternoon.
We never seem to time it right and always end up rushing around trying to see as much as possible before it closes - it's a giant show with a huge number of exhibitors and displays and of course there is always a lot of socialising to be done! I stopped to chat to my good friends at Stylecraft Yarns, said hello to other lovely yarny folks I know and introduced myself to new folks too. I had a very brief but exciting little meeting with the two gorgeous ladies who run this company.....
...this is the Historial Sampler Company who design the most beautiful cross stitch and tapestry kits. I'm excited to be doing some design work with them next year - during the past year or two I've been love love loving cross stitch and designing in this medium is super-exciting I have to say. I'll keep you posted!
The other reason for my annual trip to the Knit and Stitching show is down to a little something known as the British Knitting and Crochet Awards. This was my fourth year to attend, and I absolutely love that I now know many of the other lovely nominees and award winners. From designers and authors, to bloggers, yarn producers and shop owners, this is a super group of passionate and talented ladies and gents who I am madly happy to call friends. In the above photo you can see me in the middle (looking pretty smiley and contented!), Christine on the right (who won a highly commended award for her book "More Super Socks") and my lovely friend Fiona on the left who owns an amazing local yarn shop in Harrogate called "Yarn Etc". Fiona's shop won a highly commended award for the North of England region, such a well deserved win for all the hard work she pours into her shop and local yarn community. We had a fun time catching up and celebrating, then out for a meal afterwards with other shop owners and retailers who have become friends over the years, gosh I can't remember the last time I was out after eleven o'clock, it felt very grown up!
I am really, really happy to tell you that I won first place in the "Favourite Crochet Designer" category, and gained a highly commended in the "Favourite Crochet Blog" category. I would continue to do what I do here on my blog regardless of any votes being cast my way, simply because it makes me unbelievably happy to share my creativity and inspire others. But recognition is still a truly wonderful thing, and I am so so grateful for the community that surrounds me and the friendships that continue to grow from it. Thank you very, very much if you took the trouble to vote for me, I appreciate it very much.
After a night on the town in London, followed by a yummy hotel breakfast and an extended morning coffee/pastry/chatter session with Christine, I left the city behind and headed home.............
................not home to the Attic, but a journey South-West to my childhood home town in Dorset.
Hooray for spontaneous decisions and trains that take you where your heart desires!
I'd decided to spend the weekend in Dorset as it just so happened to be my Birthday, and my annual pull to be beside the sea was as strong as ever.
My Birthday fell on a Saturday this year and there was only one place I wanted to go - my new favourite cafe by the sea at West Bay for a spot of brunch. Yeah, I'm still firmly on my brunch kick, I am quite addicted to this leisurely weekendish meal and take advantage of it as often as possible. So I was without J and the Little Peeps which felt a bit odd, but I trundled down to the sea with my Dad and Lady B to settle cosily into Rise cafe. Gosh, I do so love this place! Brunch was awesome and although the weather was very disappointing (it did not stop raining the whole weekend I was there, honestly, non-stop wet stuff falling from the clouds), I was still able to sit and swoon over the seaside views.
My birthday passed in a blur of sea air, good food, good company, a trip to the local pub followed by cake, prosecco and cosy crochet sofa time, which was pretty perfect.
On the Sunday morning I had the pleasure of returning to West Bay to meet up with a group of local crocheters. This lovely group of Dorset ladies meets up a few times a year as a result of knowing each other online via the "Hooked on Attic24" facebook group. Isn't that just the loveliest thing? The get together was organised by Sandra who writes her blog Daffodil Wild, and it just so happened that the Autumn meet coincided with my own short jaunt down to Dorset. How could I stay away?! It was a fabulous few hours, loads of excited chatter, coffee, cake and crochet and lots and lots of blanket squishing. Thank you lovely Dorset ladies for making me feel so welcome, it really was a wonderful way for me to round off my time in Dorset before I had to whizz back up North again.
I arrived back late on Sunday night, exhausted but glad to be home after four days away. I had kind of forgotten it had been my birthday whilst I was gone and enjoyed opening some surprise cards and gifts from the Little People. I'm happy to report that chocolate featured heavily in the gift giving this year, how lucky am I? And in case you were curious - I've managed fifty one glorious years pootling around on planet earth. Pretty happy about that!
When I woke up on the morning after coming back from London/Dorset, I did not feel at all well. I knew straight away that it wasn't just tiredness from travelling, but something much yuckier taking over my body. Nothing serious you understand, just a cold, but my goodness what a beastly virus it turned out to be.
Last week I really felt pretty unwell, that cold really did a number on my energy levels and I've barely felt like doing anything, just the absolute bare essentials. I've been sleeping badly at night, then falling asleep on the sofa at odd times during the day, trying to keep up with Mum stuff, the shopping, cooking, laundry, school run, homework type of stuff which still needs to happen regardless of how bad the body feels.
This week I've been feeling a little better, and J and I managed a short walk at Bolton Abbey on a day when it actually stopped raining and the sun came out.
Real, actual sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glorious, it really was.
We spotted a heron soaking up the rays on the opposite side of the river.....
....and the woodland was looking super-pretty wearing it's early Autumn colours.
I enjoyed the walk enormously, although I was pretty much dragging by the end of it and so glad of the café where good coffee was inhaled for essential revival purposes.
We walked in our local woods at the weekend with Little B in tow - actually it was his idea to take a walk on Saturday morning, with the promise of a stop off in town afterwards for hot chocolate. It was a tad muddy, but delightful all the same, and for the umpteenth time I gave thanks for this beautiful patch of tree-filled land which is there for us to enjoy right on our doorstep.
So........that's about all that's been going on here this month - a couple trips away, some serious germs to contend with and a few short local walks. Autumn has well and truly arrived.
I've still got some Yarndale things to share with you all, I've not forgotten about that and was part way through creating the blog post just before I became unwell. I'll try and get that finished off and published very soon - it's half term next week which I absolutely can't wait for, I really am longing for some slow days of family time.
Back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Lucy
Lovely blog as always. So sorry you have been poorly and hope you feel much better soon. Xxxx
Posted by: Susan | October 25, 2019 at 08:09 AM
Glad to hear you are feeling better.It was so lovely to meet you at the Attic Dorset group at West Bay
So looking forward to your next CAL! Lyndax
Posted by: Lynda Putt | October 25, 2019 at 07:50 AM
Hi Lucy! Congratulations on winnining these awards!!! Thank you for the lovely pictures. I do hope you'll feel better and strong soon. Keep enjoying October!
Posted by: Evi | October 25, 2019 at 07:46 AM
Congratulations on the awards Lucy - very well-deserved! Glad you are beginning to feel better xx
Posted by: One-oh-four | October 25, 2019 at 07:38 AM
Lucy, is it possible that your anaemia has returned. My daughter struggles with severe anaemia and needs to take high doses of iron and B12
Posted by: Carol | October 25, 2019 at 07:30 AM
I am an American women who lives in a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains in Colorado. I'm not a knitter,a crocheter or even a crafter but I am a definite appreciater of the amazing amount of really beautiful pieces you make with yarn...the colors you use...the designs you come up with..the treasures you create for you mantle in your family home. I absolutley love your blankets and lovelycreations and the massive amount of energy,work,talent and vision that pours forth from you. I love the walks you take us on,the stories you tell us abt the experiences you have and the enviable beauty of where you live. I doubt I would enjoy the frequeny of the rain you get..but it surely makes thinks beautiful where you live.....Mary in Colorado
Posted by: Mary Hennessey | October 25, 2019 at 07:23 AM
Hi Lucy, it’s so lovely to read your posts, glad the cold is going. It’s so interesting reading your autumn stories while we here in Sydney in the Southern Hemisphere are in Spring, 38 deg at 3 pm today and looking forward to longer days! Much of Australia is in drought at the moment, so reading about all your rain makes me envious 🙂. I’m contemplating my next rug after finishing a solid granny square rug for my daughter, a rug is such a relaxing and rhythmic project, thanks or all your inspiration and generosity. Sherin xx
Posted by: Sherin | October 25, 2019 at 06:44 AM
Hurray for feeling better! And thanks for checking in with us and sharing what you've been up to.
Posted by: Barbara West | October 25, 2019 at 04:25 AM
I am glad you are on the mend from your cold. As far as the waning sunlight this time of year, both my mother and I struggle with it too. Nothing is really wrong, but this sense of unease. And much to my chagrin, realizing the cause doesn’t help it.
I came to know of you while perusing patterns on Ravelry. I used your Cosy Strip pattern to make a baby afghan. It worked beautifully with the variegated yarn. If you’d like to see it, here is the post link: https://bijoubeadboutique.com/2019/09/01/cosy-stripe-baby-afghan/ That said, I’m sure you have many people vying for your time, so do not feel obligated.
Belated Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Michelle | October 25, 2019 at 03:59 AM
Good to hear that you're on the mend, Lucy, I think a lot of us were a little worried about you - being away so long. Glad that you're back!
Val
Posted by: Val | October 24, 2019 at 11:33 PM
So glad you are feeling better. Lovely catching up with all your news. Go slowly and take care of yourself.xx
Posted by: Debbie Tristram | October 24, 2019 at 11:16 PM
I love that since our holiday in Yorkshire (we were over from Canada) and Yarndale 'n all that, I feel like I am there with you in Skipton. And we enjoyed a beautiful walk around part of the loop at Bolton Abbey, and a walk around the old city walls in York (the sun shone that day too).
Posted by: Nicola Newington | October 24, 2019 at 11:02 PM
Hi Lucy
I so glad you are starting to feel better.
It was so lovely to meet you at the crochet group at Westbay.
Thank you for spending time with us. I'm so looking forward to the next cal.
Take care and keep on crocheting.
Sandra xxx
Posted by: Sandra | October 24, 2019 at 10:40 PM