A HIVE OF INDUSTRY
Look out the wool industry! Talk about ducks to water … these girls are amazing.
They started, some time before I arrived on the scene, by crocheting 100 red poppies for an exhibit that “aunty Abby” is organising for later in the year … never having crocheted before - and self-taught from Google. And have already made 60 of the required additional 100 purple poppies for the same display.
Grandmother Shirley had assured them that when I arrived I would “quick smart”complete that required number. What Shirley had forgotten (or didn’t know) - I don’t/can’t/won’t crochet!! And so I also looked up Google, and trial knitted one for them … which I since reduced in size and have promised 10, by the time I leave.
And so began the change of crafts. All three girls decided they would like to learn to knit … Shirley practically bought out the local charity shop(s) supplies of wool and “in, round, through and off” began. From 10 stitches, a few were added and dropped and samplers were revealed.
Evie - the middle daughter - told me she “didn’t do” crochet or knitting. Until she tried! 🦆 to 💦 Mia, who has crocheted the bulk of the poppies, changed hook for needles. She’s the oldest. Izzy, at 14, was NOT to be outdone either. If only my photos would download, I could display their efforts.
But enough’s enough. Though samplers were ok - the “real thing” needed to be produced. Shirley raided the charity shops again, more wool and larger needles were purchased and 3 snoods are almost completed. Initially I was a bit “doubtful” about the quality AND their ability to finish them in 3 days - as well as still walking the dogs for 2 hours morning and night, exercising the horses and helping around the house. But now, I have no doubt that all 3 of them will be wearing their homemade cowl neck “scarves” this winter.
(Speaking of dog walking .. Shirley took me on an “easy” 2 hour walk up and down hills and along the canal, where once barges full of coal were carried in our grandfather’s time. I haven’t been asked since. 😇😉)
So meanwhile I’ve been knitting purple poppies … successfully completing my stated goal for them, … but foolishly irritating my left thumb again, so stopped at 13.
Even so … Shirley, Ceri and I still find time to go out for meals and generally spend quality time together. I’ve always loved Wales - and the “welsh lot” - even when it was just Ceri and his mum and aunt in Trehafod in 1969-1972 … missing Ceri and Shirley’s wedding by a matter of weeks. And now they have added another 15+ humans to their ranks.
The dog “fix” isn’t half bad … either!
I’m here until Tuesday, when I return to Julia in Sevenoaks. She’s ordered a knitted sheep for her nativity scene - which rather depends on a marked improvement of my thumb but has plenty of time to take flight from NZ before Christmas, if not.
For some reason I can’t add any photos to this blog … they are refusing to download from my mobile to the iPad. Here’s hoping for better luck, perhaps, from Sevenoaks. Sorry!