MERRY WINTER

Merry Winter everyone. Aren't the knits and patterns just great this winter? You only have to look at them and feel cosy and warm. I have had the photo above for well over thirty years now and have always treasured it. Luckily it was rescued from a wool shop in Rayleigh which was closing down, as far as I know it was going to be thrown away. We believe the lady working away in the photo may have been the owner of the shop. Judging by the fashion it could be the 40's, what do you think? I can imagine that the knitting growing out of the machinery could be a dress with a lovely soft knitted waist band.

I find something really comforting about colour and pattern, especially this time of year and I especially love Fair Isle. I thought I would show you my new Joules mittens and scarf. The mittens are lined and the scarf is double sided and long, at last, something to keep me warm.

I couldn't believe it when I saw this beautiful jumper, it just takes me right back to the 70's with it's 3/4 length wide sleeves, wide neck, lovely patterns and just to top it off a knitted belt. This is the sort of thing I would have worn with a long Tweed skirt, woolly tights and warm boots and possibly with another thin polo underneath. So yes, as you may have guessed I bought one in the Laura Ashley mega sale and will keep it forever.

This wintry scene is brought to you from the top floor of my house looking towards the Pylons which march quite majestically through Campsea Ashe and Wickham Market. We were quite snowed in, cut off at one point but the views were amazing.

Brussel above is our Snowgirl this year, made by a frozen Emma. It's just fascinating how personal Snow people can be. Brussel looked in at us every day and became our friend, in fact after the next snow Emma made another one called Sprout, if it had carried on I think we would have had a whole family.

As I have been thinking about Fair Isle I thought I would show you this pic of me in the 70's in my Fair Isle style Polo neck. I remember white jumpers playing quite a large part in fashion then. White was always the colour to wear in the winter. I am also wearing my white corduroy, fur lined coat which I bought in Hennes when it first opened in Southend.

Speaking of fashion in the 70's here I am in my original Moon Boots, if you had a pair of these you're feet were as warm as toast. These Ski jackets were available to everyone. It was quite the norm for people to wear Ski Clothing then even if you weren't going skiing, we had whole suits, they were great, all we cared about was keeping warm because as far as I remember we did a lot of walking and deep snow never held us back. I remember pulling a sledge all the way to Rayleigh just to collect the milk from the depot.

My daughter with her tall thin friend. The great thing about snow is that you can make something with it and be as creative as you like and maybe set yourself the challenge of how tall and narrow can it be without falling.

And this one took quite a bit of planning and skill, just like something from a Beano Comic it's just such a unique idea.

Did anyone else fall in love with these CK Stanley Dogs for christmas?

We have quite a few of these hand painted eggs from the Ukraine, the patterns are so intricate. If you love this kind of Folk Pattern or like me just have a love of pattern you should take a look at www.gudrunsjoden.com look at Gudruns World and her diary and her new pattern Gallery the research and history of the designs and culture is quite fascinating.

And now for a new beginning, a new workroom at the ready and some thoughts about the place we will live this year. Driving along the Suffolk roads makes me feel alive. Surrounded by Farmland and Forest the changing of the seasons is comforting and there is nothing quite like the winter months for colour and adventure. I've started to name the roads by their character. If we need some food I'll be heading for the upper or lower mud and flood. The narrow lanes, frozen hedgerows and light reflecting from the frozen brown waves of a ploughed field are all framed by the majestic black silhouettes of the spidery trees against the winter sky. Pheasants dart amongst the frozen plough, like jewels of colour with Autumn leaves for feathers. I slow down whilst they make up their minds, do they just run to look at the car (it is a Smart Car) or do they really want to cross the road. Whilst I sit there waiting for a few moments I realise I am amongst the colours of Tartan and Fair Isle and cosy blankets by the fire.

So for now here we are living amongst the peace and quiet. I have a lot of catching up to do especially reading everyones posts and will be in touch.

MERRY WINTER EVERYONE