Last Days of Winter

It's the Spring Equinox this Sunday 20th so we're in the very last week of winter, and what a lovely thought that is. 

I've often remarked how much I enjoy celebrating these quarterly points in the year, they are more meaningful to me in many ways than following the months on a traditional calendar. The older I get, the more I recognise an intuitive need to be in tune with nature and the changing seasons, it grounds me and keeps me focused on the here and now which I seem to need.

It's interesting being on the cusp of a seasonal change, and during the past week or so I've noticed a perfect mix of winter and spring. It's still very wintry cold here in the north of England with early morning temperatures sitting only just above zero degrees. And yet the light.....

.....oh, the light is so very, gloriously spring-like and very, very much appreciated by me I can tell you!

I get to see the sun rising above the hill around 7am at the moment, and often times I stop walking and just stand still to soak in the gentle warmth of it. Sunlight makes me really happy, it's as simple as that.

Yesterday I had to pop to the shops at the top of town and on the way back I took a small detour through the churchyard. I used to come here regularly when Little B was very small because we went to a lovely singing group in the church hall every Monday morning. The garden in front of the church is in an elevated position, so it gives a lovely view right down the main high street of the town. Here, let me zoom in a bit for you.....

....there you go. It's a lovely main street I think, it's wide with cobbled setts in between the pavement and the road which is where the street market takes place three times a week. Yesterday wasn't a market day so there are cars parked on the cobbles but even with the cars I think it's still very picturesque. 

I walked home along this stretch of the canal which you can access from one of the shopping streets at the top of town. The bakery is just over to the right in the above photo, so I often cross the stream via that wooden bridge to get onto the canal tow path. I love being out and about on a bright winter-spring morning, there is nothing nicer than breathing in the cold air and feeling energised by the light.

My daffodils are in full tilt now and I was delighted to find one single pale rogue flower in the bunch. I love it, and wish we could buy bunches of these more delicate varieties. So pretty.

In Winter Garland news, things have not been going to plan. This morning I was all set to start crocheting it together, so thought I'd lay everything out to take a few photographs first. As you can see in the above photo, there are some noticeable gaps - 2 blossom flowers and 3 leaves missing. Eh? I searched high and low and I cannot find them anywhere, so I'll just have to crochet up some replacements. I also realised that although I'd crocheted all the berries, I've still got the faff of stitching them to the fern leaves before I can get busy with crocheting the garland.

So by the time I got my head around the work that still needs to be done, the weather had changed and the good morning light was gone for the day, so I'll try again tomorrow. I can't wait to have it finished - I really, really want to see it hanging on my mantel because I think it's going to look wonderful.

There have been other yarny happenings this week which is very exciting indeed - I have some new yarn to play with, oh, the thrill!!

This is Stylecraft Highland Heathers which is a DK weight acrylic yarn and it really is very lovely. Each shade is created by heavily blending several colours together which gives it a richly tweeded effect - it's hard to capture on camera but trust me it's an absolute delight in real life. This is a relatively new yarn which launched in summer 2020 and this is the first time I've had the chance to try it out.

I've been working on some design ideas for a new blanket and am so excited about it, I always love the thrill of starting out on a new blanket journey. I've got a pretty clear idea of the overall design, but am still in the sampling stage where I'm working out how exactly to bring my idea to life. I enjoy these early stages of blanket making so, so much, it's gives me such a massive creative buzz! 

You can see from the above photo how dreary the weather has been today - mid afternoon and I'm lighting a candle to take the edge off the gloom. There was nothing gloomy about my yarn play though...........

.....EEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those colours!! When I'm in a mad sampling phase I always like to gather in all the tail ends at the end of each session because seeing them all together like this gives me a really good idea of how the colours are working. If I look at them and feel butterflies in my tummy (and I really do with these) then I know I'm on the right track.

Anyhow, it's very early days but I thought I would try and share some of the design process with you as I go along this time. All being well, there will be a Highland Heathers yarn pack and new blanket pattern coming in September. And I'm very, very, very excited about it. Butterflies are taking flight in swarms for this one!

It's been a funny sort of a day today, the weather has been drizzly and grey and the light has been gloomy, and nothing has gone quite right somehow. I've felt a bit discombobulated, and that hasn't happened to me for quite a while. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be brighter in more ways than one, and that I can finally see my lovely Winter Garland over the finishing line. A Thursday Ta-Dah would be a very good thing so I shall try hard to make it happen.

Incidentally, can you see Tilly in the above photo? She's the dark blob sleeping soundly in a sea of colourful crochet. Lucky kitty.

I'm hoping you've had a good day without even a smidge of discombobulation, and that these last days of winter are treating you well. And if you're on t'other side of the world, then I hope that the coming of Autumn will bring you joy too.

Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow with a ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-dah!

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Comments

[Flashinscissors]

Hello Lucy, (Just lost a comment but if you get two please lose the first one 😁
Had to come back to say I absolutely love the bag with your new wools, it’s gorgeous, is there a pattern please? Love the little squares on the back of the dining chair too.
I always enjoy reading your posts. Take care Lucy!
Love from Barbara xx 😁🙋‍♀️👍

[Jacqui]

Beautiful post! Dicombobulation my dad used to say that 😂😂

[CJ]

Gorgeous rich colours in the new yarn, I shall enjoy seeing the new blanket. Rather discombobulated here over the past week and ver-r-r-y tired. Am trying to pull it all together and be more focused and energised. Hope you have a lovely weekend, the weather forecast looks absolutely divine. CJ xx

[Angela]

Hello Lucy! I live in New Zealand and I always feel secretly envious when I see the other side of the world moving in to their spring time and our side going into the cooler months! I have to say though that weirdly this time around I feel ready for some hibernation, the earlier nights and rugging up warm in my knitted socks etc! Enjoy the warmer weather and spring flowers that I’m sure have started blooming by now!!!!!

[Jane Nearing]

I spent a minute catching up with your life, while having a quiet minute with my own. Thanks!

[Susan]

Oh, those top few photos made my heart sing, and at the same time feel a little homesick. Thanks. I'll definitely be in for the new rug as those colours are "gorgeous". Am also going to try some of those oh so cute flowers and leaves and make a wreath too. Take care & hugs from down under.

[Mikki Ogle]

Lucy, I dearly love your blankets, garlands, et all!!! Your colors are fab and do so much to cheer me in the dullness of my Oregon winter. I pray you know how important you are to many of us around the world. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[Julia]

Thank you for sharing such lovely photos with all of us. The village that you live in is so pretty. I can't wait to see your garland all finished - it'll be gorgeous. I'm excited for the beginning of spring this coming weekend, as well.

[Clare]

Hello Lucy. I love the idea of a "rogue," daffodil... Here's to the spring, anyway. with love from London, where, after a few false starts, I can promise you, it's taken hold, and will be working its way north any time now...

[Kerridwen Niner]

Im looking forward to seeing your winter garland but do find it uncanny that winter is technically ending and you're appreciating the change and yet you are deccing winter stylee lol. Still i'm sure its going to look gorgeous and will be most enjoyable :)

[Susan]

I have used the Highland Heathers and made a C2C blanket for my mother. The colours are very beautiful and if you put together a pack, I will definitely look forward to buying it x

[Gillian McM]

You have been bringing me joy for years and years, Lucy. I've made so many of your patterns. Yesterday I felt like making a daffodil, so I consulted my Attic24 folder and there it was, the perfect daffodil. I've gathered together the yarns for the winter garland and they are waiting patiently!

[Miriam]

* ops.... I would write: the last years :-))
Miriam

[Miriam]

Here in the south of Italy is not nice in the last period. But as you say we are at the end of winter. I know that spring will fly away soon and I can’t manage with very hot summer as we had in these last days. So, thank you always and always for your post, your pictures and thoughts that bring me away from here.
Thank you. Have a nice afternoon,
Miriam

[Laney]

I have butterflies, those colors are wonderful.

[Carol Blakeley]

Hi Lucy,
I don’t comment very often but thought it was time to say thank you. I love your blog and all the lovely photos you share.
It is a very gloomy day here in Ontario Canada but we are supposed to get a peek at some spring weather Thursday afternoon.

I am loving the new colours of yarn for spring this year and while I don’t need any more yarn I’m itching to get some pretty colours.

Have a wonderful day!

[Rainbow Junkie]

I don't normally comment but love following your blog. But today I felt it worth mentioning that here in Southampton I have taken to buying a bunch of daffodils from Waitrose every week after seeing yours (last year I think). Recently I had a whole bunch like your rogue one. (They have been different each week so far - 3) So maybe if they have some like that where you live you might be lucky and get a whole bunch one week. Trouble is if you buy them still in bud (as I do) then you have to wait to see how they turn out.

[Geeha]

I so agree about the weather, in Worcestershire we had a very wet Wednesday and now a glorious sunny Thursday and I can feel the difference so strongly. You're garland is so pretty, I have the same problem with mislaying things. I have no children or pets to blame and they often turn up as soon as I have made or bought the replacement!I enjoy seeing the planning process but would have to think hard about a recipient as my collection of blankets in use and the tastes of my friends and family are all in your glorious SSK palettes. Thank you for giving us inspiration and positivity at this time

[Miss Daisy]

The picture with the heart garland , is that a fireplace ? Would love to see it up close. Looks Awesome !

[Brenda]

Hi Lucy, thank you so much for your all your recent posts, they have been a delight to read and inspirational too. I love the photos of Skipton, the canal and the surrounding countryside. We visited Skipton some years ago and it is lovely to see reminders of places we walked. I think the flowers that you have created for your winter garland are so pretty, I would love to try them. At the moment my time is take up with crochet for my grandchildren, but one day I may be able to join you on one of your crochet journeys.
It’s always a thrill to open up the iPad and find a new post so just wanted you to know how much it lifts my spirits. Thank you. Xxx

[Kathleen Southworth]

Lucy your blog is always a joy to read and your photo’s of Skipton and the surrounding area so beautiful. I am currently making leaves, flowers, with a view to making the garland. Enjoying watching my little box of goodies grow each day! I really enjoyed making the Hellibore flowers, they are so realistic.
Thank you Lucy for your inspiration. Xx

[Norma]

Can't wait for the Highland Heather blanket since we lived in the highlands before coming to Australia. Looks lovely.
Thanks Lucy , hope your Spring light arrives soon xx

[Hilary]

Is there a pattern for beautiful crotchet basket that’s full of wool on the table near the candle in the photo- I d love to have a try at it!

[Audrey]

I have a lovely bunch of pale lemon daffodils , all the ones in Morrisons at the minute seem to be the pale ones. They are beautiful

[Linda]

Ooooooh! I was looking at those yarns just the other day thinking it would be lovely to do a man's lap blanket in those more muted colours for my uncle…..87!
Can’t wait for this one!!!