Magpies on the Move & Summer Knits.

Hello everyone.

I’m afraid my plan to write more regularly hit a stumbling block. My lovely stepfather of thirty-eight years had been terminally ill. After a wonderful Christmas spent with my mum at ours, one of his last goals, he deteriorated quite quickly. Up until February we cared for him at home until the last few days which he spent in the wonderful Myton Hospice. As you can imagine time since then has been spent with my mum and dealing with the never ending practicalities. Now there is time to take the occasional breath so here I am 😊

Now I’m all about winter, I love summer knits on others but am definitely a cold water animal. This year however I decided on a very summery knit from Pam Allen for Quince & Co. A camisole called Azalea. I couldn’t get hold of the yarn here in Blighty as the only UK stockest was out of the colour. I did however find a lovely substitute from Kelbourne Woolens in the guise of Mojave, a gorgeous blend of primary cotton and linen. It is a delight to work with and the lace hem on the camisole really displays the stitch definition.

In my usual magpie fashion why start one project when I can start many, after all it’s not as if life is busy……… On receiving my copy of Amarisu (which I always look forward to immensely) my Eagle, sorry magpie eye was immediately drawn to the wonderful tunic on the cover. It is called Breeze and has been designed by Megumi Sawada. She knitted it up in STRÅ from Woolfolk Yarn. Sadly I couldn’t get this in Blighty and the powder pink shade she used was out of stock at Woolfolk too. I put on my best Hercule Poirot head and went off on a virtual search for an alternative 🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎 Imagine my delight when I found Rachel of Tangled Yarn https://www.tangled-yarn.co.uk/ was stocking a new yarn from de rerum natura ( https://www.dererumnatura.fr/en/19-yarns ) called Robinson. A beautiful light worsted / dk weight combining recycled cotton with merino, 60% unbleached Arles merino / 10% black French merino / 30% recycled cotton. Natural plant dyes are used to make gorgeous sludgy shades. I’m knitting Breeze up in eau de rose.

On a non knitty note we toddled off to our favourite seaside house rental for a week again, it is the wonderful Sunset Cottage in Whitstable ( rented via the most excellent https://www.whitstableholidayhomes.co.uk/sunset-cottage ). The Lily hound loves it there as she has uninterrupted views for bossing all passing pooches and the beach is her garden. I love the fabulous balcony knitting spot.

Whilst there I took myself off to get my long awaited hummingbird tattoo from the very talented Ileen at High Tide Tattoo Studio. She came up with this beautiful watercolour design which I’m thrilled with.

Now for our big news: The Magpies have bought a new nest! I am ridiculously excited about this. Not only are we moving to the Devon coast but we found a 1930’s house with lots of original features left, sea views and best of all (cue Agatha Christie music) residents of The Avenue each have a key to a secret path down to the beach. I. Cannot. Wait. we are due to complete in a few weeks so I’ll then bore you senseless with pics of new knitty spots being tried out.

Right I’m off to do some packing up and will try very very hard to write soon.

Stay safe and well.

Love

Magpie. 😘