a simple yarn

‘Once upon a time, there was a cobbler who was so busy making fine shoes for all the townspeople that his very own children had to get by with the most miserable, worn out shoes imaginable.’ Or so the story goes…

When people learn that I knit, quite often they will look at my Kiddies and say, ‘Oh, it must be very nice to get so many hand-knitted things from your mother!’ My children then look back at them with their well-rehearsed-smiling-and-nodding-faces and say nothing.

The truth is, I’ve knit nary an item, large or small, for Daughter or Son. (Oh, I take that back, I felt guilted into making a little knitted purse for Kate a while ago, but she never carried it. Not sure where it is now.) The further truth is that my kids don’t wear knitted jumpers. I feel fortunate if I can get Alex, Who-Thinks-He’s-From-Siberia-Instead-Of-St. Petersburg, into long sleeves in the winter, let alone a bulky woollen article of clothing! He’s happier dashing to and fro in a tee shirt and hoodie.

A hat? Forget it.
Mittens? It is to laugh!
Scarves? As a rope maybe.

Still……I’d hate for my kids to be sitting on their psychiatrist’s couch in future years telling woeful tales of never having had a gift of love from their mother’s hands. Christmas is coming and my kids will be cobbler’s children no longer!

For Kate-Who-Does-Wear-Cardigans: Pea Coat from ‘Debbie Bliss Junior Knits’ in likewise Debbie Bliss Merino Aran yarn

For Thermal-Boy-Alex:  Tucker the Monkey from ‘Toys to Knit’ in various Kilcarra Aran tweeds

Disclaimer:  The following post is not about sheep, wool, yarn, fibre, knitting, weaving, spinning, cappuccinos or eco-friendliness; nor is it sponsored by The Irish Tourist Board.

Can I share a little secret with you? Just to the north of us is a really cool castle. Well…I suppose it’s not a castle, really, although it sports the word ‘castle’ in its name. It’s more of a manor house, to be honest. Anyway, a few years back, our family stumbled upon this little gem quite by accident on a Sunday afternoon ramble and it’s been a favourite ‘let’s-go-out-for-a-bit-of-a-drive’ destination ever since.

Ardgillan Castle

Nice tour of the house for a reasonable price. Even nicer rustic tea room for a leisurely cuppa with the Sunday paper. Not a big tourist magnet.

But do you know what makes it better yet? The view. Sloping green lawns ending in a beautiful panorama of the Irish Sea. Aahhh…..

Had a lovely afternoon outing with Husband-Will and the Kiddies as the weather seemed to clear from recent rainshowers. And as if this family favourite couldn’t get any better, what to our wondering eyes did appear?

Kiddie Paradise.

So, Daughter-Kate-Who-Also-Does-A-Bit-Of-Blogging, wants to get a picture of her rabbit, Fern, in a ballet costume.

Not going to go down that bunny trail, as it were, of storytelling. But, if I were truly a good teller of tales, I could weave a great yarn all about that. However, I’m not. Actually, I was more interested in, and frankly sidetracked by, her comments. They went something like this…

‘Mom, can I take a picture of Fern in a ballet outfit?’

I know I should encourage my children in their creativity when the mood strikes, but being a realist, I heard myself say, ‘Wellll….I foresee a couple of challenges (didn’t say problems….didn’t want to put her off). First, we don’t have a ballet costume that would fit Fern and secondly, even if we had one, I don’t think we could get her to put it on.’ (I didn’t tell her that there was no way on this earth that I was going to chase a rabbit around the back garden trying to get it into a tutu!)

Not to be dissuaded, she replied, ‘That’s okay, we can just Photoshop it.’

Photo courtesy of Daughter-Kate with camera phone
Now, I’m not a deep philosophical thinker and I don’t have many metaphysical moments and I know she was just doing a little computer-aided-problem-solving, but I was boggled by her apparent disregard of reality and the ease with which she was willing to alter it. Guess I shouldn’t be…she’s a 21st century kid.‘Just Photoshop it….’ It doesn’t matter that there won’t be an actual bunny wearing a leotard. But, there will be an illusion of it and that’s all she needs.

Right, don’t want to limit my kids’ creativity….want to foster an imagination without boundaries…want them to be firmly grounded…and realise that I’m probably saying that from my 20th-century-mindset.

I know that’s true because I’m re-thinking ways to get Fern into that tutu….

So, do you think mother’s live out their girlish fantasies through their daughters? Or do daughters live out their mother’s dreams in their own girlish way? Or is that the same thing? Hmmm….

I finally came to the end of my warp.

No, that would not be a description of my mental state, but rather a state of fact that I’ve finished weaving the first warp on my new loom. Very cool, indeed. What’s more, on that warp is the Guild exhibition piece. I have to confess that it’s not a drop-dead-wow piece, but still, I’m pleased enough with it considering it’s my first one…

From bottom:  An abstract view of the mountainside transitioning into gorse, going into madder-coloured heather, ending in a darkening Dublin sky
What was more exciting, though, were the other pieces to come off the loom….dollhouse rugs. What a great throwback to my own memories of Barbie and her Dreamhouse, imagining myself small enough to fit into the house and living with all her cool stuff. But I didn’t have rugs for my house. Nope, mostly pink plastic furniture.
Ended up with five rugs in all. One woven by Daughter-Kate, the original which started it all, and three others for friend of Kate’s (can’t say more cuz it’s to be an October birthday surprise!).

Must say that the rugs looked quite at home in Kate’s dollhouse. Not a pink Barbie Dreamhouse, however. Been replaced by a politically correct IKEA house. And before you think I’m a complete nutter, Daughter has never been a Barbie fan and she doesn’t fancy pink. Of course I think we both have visions of having a huge Victorian mansion with a hinged front and electric lights….

So, yes, I think I had a bit of ‘living a dream’ (or at least a memory) with the making of the dollhouse rugs. But you know, I also think Kate is experiencing the same, except in reverse, meaning, I think she’s beginning to live out one of my dreams.

I’m cleaning out the yarn stash boxes and come across some yarn that I will never use which can’t fit in the box anyway. So, I set it aside to give away. Into the room enters Daughter who immediately spies the yarn and is likewise immediately drawn to it. ‘That is so cool,’ she says. ‘You can have it,’ I say. ‘Thanks,’ she replies, ‘do you have any knitting needles?’ (Do I have any knitting needles? Has she been in a coma for the past few years?) Out loud I smile and say, ‘Why sure, let me get you some.’

She disappears and as I peek into her room hours later, I see the product of her hands.

I’ve been teaching Kate to knit for a few years now and she’s never shown much interest until this moment, when a certain yarn caught her fancy and she dedicated many hours to knitting it up. Uh oh, she’s living my dream!

‘All life is an experiment.’             -Ralph Waldo Emerson

And so I take to heart Emerson’s commentary and try a few life experiments. We begin with the idea of growing vegetables…

Observation No. 1
We will not be able to have a sufficient vegetable garden out our back door in the city.

Reason 1:  Rabbit named Fern.

Reason 2:  Am guessing landlord will probably frown on digging up turf behind house.

Reason 3:  Even if landlord allowed it, space would not be sufficient and kids would play constant dodge ‘em with the veg.

Observation No. 2
We will not be able to get a garden allotment any time soon.

Reason 1:  Dublin City does not have any.

Reason 2:  Next nearest locale has two areas for allotments. I am No. 155 and No. 97 on the two waiting lists.

Reason 3:  During the next growing season, we will be spending July and August in the US. Hard to grow veg long distance.

Conclusion
Will try Absolutely Organic, home delivery service of organic fruit and veg.

Reason 1:  It’s all organic. Don’t have to hunt for markets or search for few-and-far-between organic produce.

Reason 2:  No charge for delivery, save on petrol.

Reason 3:  Well, I don’t have a third reason, which really bugs me because in my ultra-symmetrical-outlook-on-things, not having a third reason is a bit unsettling! Wait! It’s fairly reasonably priced, as far as organic veg goes….whew! Symmetry…..aaaahhhh…..

Okay, all ‘listing’ aside, the only down-side to the boxed scheme of having organic produce delivered to my door is that someone else is picking the fruit and veg for me. And actually, that would be fine, but I also don’t really have any control over which produce I’m getting….meaning, I’m signing up for a certain weight of 5 veg (not including potatoes) and 4 fruit each week.

Of the fruit, I know it will be a certain weight of apples, bananas, oranges, and the one other type of fruit. I can live with that. The veg….well, it’s a gamble. I mean, swedes and parsnips are not a regular part of our family’s diet. Can’t say I’m a regular cabbage eater either. Will it be something outlandish? I have no idea. But, you know, that’s part of the experiment, and it’s the thrill of the unknown that has lead to great scientific discovery!

Results
Hurray! Today’s the first delivery of the organic produce…

Now for some analysis…..

Right, kiwi were the ‘other’ fruit included this week. I think it’s about 2.3kg of fruit for €9. BUT, as I purchased it as a combo with veg, it actually was 6.50euro. Not bad. Gotta remember key word, organic. If I were to go to the supermarket, I would probably purchase more quantity, feeding a family of 4. But then again, there is usually some left-behind-yes-we’re-growing-penicillin at the bottom of the basket. So, this might turn out to be the proper amount….

Thankfully, no mystery veg. A lovely colourful array of carrots, onions, broccoli, tomatoes and basil. Hmmmm, when is basil considered a vegetable? Not sure about that classification. But, as compensation, they included an information sheet with a couple of recipes. This week—pesto. I’ll be using the wonderfully scented basil in that! The cost for this amount (sans potatoes), €15. Potatoes don’t come in the box I order. I couldn’t keep up with having that many potatoes every week, so I ordered them a la carte for 4.30euro.

The quality of the produce was gorgeous. It was nicely chilled when it came to my door. The delivery man was nice and friendly. So my total purchase this week 25.80 (because of the potatoes) but next week it’ll be 21.50. If the quality is like this each time, and considering I’m not growing my own, I’d say the extra-cost-cuz-it’s-pesticide-free is worth it!

Confession:  I have just committed an act of utmost heresy against all periodical lovers.

I kind of hate to say this in public and am eternally thankful for the measure of anonymity that blogging affords me because…..(hesitation)…..I ripped apart all of my Vogue and Interweave knitting magazines. (gasp)

Well, you see, I pile up the magazines thinking that at some point, when I need inspiration, I will pull them out, pore over them, calmly select a lovely pattern and begin a new project. It. Never. Happens.

Instead, having stepped over them so often it’s become an auto-response, I forget about the pile, they are invisible to me.

So, in the quest for simplification, I have removed the pages that appeal to me now and have put them into an ‘inspiration notebook,’ so to speak. I may have the occasional wish-I-had-kept-that-one regret, but odds are that I’ll never remember the one-that-got-away.

But, the title says ‘Heresies.’ Plural. So what’s the other one? Oh, it’s the 400-gram-ball-of-mostly-acrylic-yarn-I-bought-soon-to-be-passed-along-for-the-Electric-Picnic.

So why would I knit Oreo cookies? For a knitted picnic, of course!

At this year’s Electric Picnic, knitters in Ireland are making their presence known by hosting a knitted picnic! Ever seen knitted pizza? A fuzzy cupcake? Soft sushi? You won’t want to miss it!

But more than just a picnic, Stitch n Bitchers are going to spread knitting joy by teaching interested people to knit on Saturday and Sunday of the festival (2-3 September). Cool, huh?

Can’t go? Neither can I, because of other fibre-commitments. But if you’re a knitter, you can participate by knitting a 10″x10″ square from your stash. Make it cute cuz we’re putting them all together for a knitted blanket to be given to or auctioned for charity.

Short notice? Yes, I know, but you knitters can whip up a square in no time, I’m sure! In fact, get it done and you can bring it to the regular Stitch n Bitch gathering on Saturday, 26 August, 1pm at the Library Bar, Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, City Centre. Clickety Knits is our contact for the Picnic and for assembling the squares.

Want more information? Check the StitchNBitch IE chat forum or take a peek at these blogs—Tea and Cakes or Tangelled Angel Knits.

And so what goes with knitted food? Knitted drink, of course!

It’s an added benefit, to be sure. The new mug is a jumbo and will comfortably hold TWO cappuccinos! That makes me happy!

The word for today……eat.

Tasty Verbage (otherwise known as eating my words)
I think the Bible says something like, ‘Pride goeth before destruction….’ and so, in biblical fashion, I am humbled in quick measure after my last Sunday reflection about downsizing!

After the recent foray into spinning, I toyed with the idea of getting a wheel. Too pricey. Not in the budget. Downsizing and all that. What was I thinking browsing on eBay? Had settled the carder issue. Pleased about the logic and clarity of thought (and therein snuck the pride bit). Spotted a couple of wheels on the site as well. Nope. Not now.

‘How cute,’ Holly said. ‘Bid what you can and if you don’t get it, no worries….stranger things have happened.’ Mind you, I in no way blame Holly for this! She’s a good source for counsel…

Put in a ridiculously low bid on a cute-looks-to-be-homemade-spinning wheel. Less than half of what a name brand would cost. Went to bed on Sunday evening without giving it a second thought. Woke up Monday morning and leisurely checked auction. Won the bid.

I have just now accumulated. The irony of life is funny that way. And the joke’s on me as I eat my words.

Non-Edible Knitting
I am not a big fan of knitted food. Just what does one do with knitted food? Can’t eat it, so what good is it? So many other practical, useful things to do with yarn. But I was asked to knit up some Oreo cookies for a local event and so I have. And do you know what? I think they’re the cutest things to hit a plate!

And here they are with my lovely new pressies from Holidaying-Lodge-Owner-Lucy!

Edible Chowder Recipe
Last Saturday made a cheese chowder, which is a family favourite, for the knitting girls. Always nice on a chilly, drizzly day. So, as promised….the recipe:

Confession:  this is a stock photo just to round out the post,
but my chowder would look almost that appealing!1-2 medium sized potatoes, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 celery, chopped
1 smallish onion, chopped
4 dessert spoons butter (US recipe=4 tablespoons)
750 ml chicken stock or vegetable stock for vegetarians (US=3 cups)
dash of white or black pepper, whatever you have handy
500 ml milk (US=2 cups)
56 grams flour (US=1/2 cup)*
250 grams cheddar cheese, shredded (US=3 cups shredded) Add more if it doesn’t look cheesy enough.
1 dessert spoon parsley (US=1 tablespoon)

*By the way, the flour in Ireland reacts differently so if the chowder is abnormally thick, add more milk

In a soup pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Cook potato, carrot, celery and onion until tender, but not brown. Add broth and pepper. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. In a mixing bowl, blend together flour and milk. Add cheese and parsley. Stir into chowder. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly (be patient, it will happen). May be frozen. Option: Add bacon or ham or broccoli.

And so, blogging done, I need to go fix dinner because it’s time to ‘eat’!

Perhaps it’s better said, ‘To have or not to have….that is the question.’

Alas, our time at the country lodge has come to an end and we return to our own little house in the city. We say good-bye to endlessly wide green spaces and hello again to overlooked gardens where hushed conversations are necessary, preventing neighbouring tongues from wagging. Sorry to go? Not really. A lovely place to visit but, you know, I like the wagging tongues and the little garden and the cozy house. Suits our family.

And so I toss an appreciative nod to the family-motto-engraved-plaque-on-the-wall…

Parma Domus, Magna Quies
Small House, Great PeaceLikewise, I reflect on my spinning experience also saying good-bye to Holly’s spinning wheel. Thoughts begin forming along the lines of ‘I need a wheel…gotta get a carder….what else should I have?’ So easy to accumulate. Much harder to de-accumulate. Necessary tools are good. But what is necessary?

Case in point….carding. Very nice drum carder on eBay. Reasonable price, so far, but a few days to go in the auction. Wouldn’t it be handy? Quite a nice tool….

The mental ‘push me-pull you’ begins. But, simplicity ultimately wins the day.

Realistically, unless I’m going into full-time spinning even a reasonably priced couple of hundred quid is too much. Thus, the downsized option, hand carders. Suits the budget. Suits the pace of my fibre production. Suits me.

Apologies to those a) outside the knitting community, b) outside the Irish community, or c) outside the knitting community in Dublin. The following post is admittedly brief and covert.

If the Wexford strawberries aren’t a big enough hint, then the accompanying cake on the plate might be. Yessir, We Five have gotten together again for a bit of a knit, among other things….

It’s another Saturday in between SnB sessions in Dublin city, so Clickety Knits, Winona Queen, Tangelled Angel, Tea and Cakes and myself have once again gathered together.

The projects in our busy hands cast an innocent cloak over the surreptitious talk around the table. Could it be that the wind (well…perhaps not a wind, more like a breeze) of change is blowing across the Irish fibre community?

Now I know how Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor felt after they’d completed their ride around the globe…

Well, perhaps not with the same level of euphoria, but I’ve had my own ‘completing of the circuit.’ The spinning wheel goes back to its home tomorrow and as I was finishing today, it suddenly came to me that this brings to a close my yarn-the ‘long way round’ experience.

So, thanks for indulging me in a summer-rerun, end-of-this-series, walk-down-memory-lane photo montage…

Fleece…can’t get any fresher

A wash and comb…smoothing the poo-free fibres

Back to primary colours, red+blue=purple

Coming full circle to the final resultIs it alot of work? Certainly.

Is it easier to purchase ready-to-go yarn in a shop? Definitely.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.