Just about bordering on odd, I see things through different eyes.The heading says it all - I live, I love, I craft, I am me...

13/09/2022

Take it easy Tuesday

There is definitely more than a hint of autumn in the air today. I can taste that metallic toffee tang which curls around the garden at this time of year. I am having a quiet day, first day back to work on Monday and despite all good intentions of being gentle with myself and allowing the garden team to continue with their fantastic efforts - I ended up walking nearly five miles (I have just checked my tracker) which goes someway to explain when I returned home last night I could barely move off the settee! So today's private gardens will have to wait another week - fortunately I have a very understanding client and it was she who suggested I take it a bit easier today.

I have finally (after how many attempts? over how many years?) finished Himself's North Ronaldsay Aran  light grey jumper. I bought a bumper pack of the wool when it was still affordable (just) and it sat in the stash cupboard until I was ready for it. I have just been on the website and see that the price has more than tripled, very glad I purchased it when I did. 
As a bit of an aside - with all the knitting and unpicked the various attempts, it meant that I ended up with several pieces of wool which needed joining together. Years ago, I used to knot the wool together until I learnt to splice - which I find give a far better finish. I might be showing 'how to' do it to those who already know but if you don't - hope this mini tutorial helps 


  • Make sure you have a nice length to work with - about 5cm on each piece of wool to make the splice
  • Untwist the ply - I used a large tapestry needle
  • Splay the individual strands
  • Combine the two pieces together by alternating the strands then ensure they lie against the opposite piece of wool
  • Dampen your free hand slightly and begin to roll gently between your palms, checking to see if the strands are still in place
  • Finally roll quite vigorously back and forth to 'felt' the fibres together until you are happy with the join.
  • You can - if you fancy being brave - tug reasonably firmly to check if your splicing has worked.

The splice I made is in this bit of knitting - about half way up on the left. So all that remains is to gently soak the finished jumper and block into shape, Himself and Youngest have both tried it on and considering what it had to go through to get to this point - it looks good 😊🧶The only problem now is I have caught up with all my wips ....hmm so what to do now?

Fortunately Eldest has supplied the perfect antidote to my 'Down Time Stress Syndrome' (yes it is a thing!) by producing two sets of jeans which need a little first aid here and there .... watch this space👖👖🪡🪡🧵


14 comments:

  1. Your splicing is most impressive, and gives such a beautiful finish.
    5 miles? Not surprised you were exhausted on Monday . . . hope life gives you the chance to rest up a bit.

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    1. Thank you Jayne :) definitely making the most of doing very little today - hand stitching is as exciting as it is going to get! x

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  2. This may be my favorite description of the early fall mornings. So literative! "metallic toffee tang which curls around the garden at this time of year". I've not had words before but "toffee tang" is it.

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    1. Aww thank you Sam - I do find the air tastes and smells quite different in autumn🍂🍂

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  3. Well done for finishing the jumper, and thereby completing all wips! What an achievement! I can empathise with the post-Covid overdoing it. We had a log delivery yesterday and I moved the whole lot from our driveway to the garage and then stacked them. Literally crawled up to bed last night, and am sore all over today. Silly me. It's the wanting to feel back to normal that does it.

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    1. Thank you x my sympathies for over doing it - coz I over did it again today🙄

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  4. Glad your private garden lady is a sensible woman & possibly knows you well. TAKE IT EASY! I have seen & used that splicing method, but not for a long time as some yarns don't work the best with it. Oh...and I thought I was bad with WIPs, but know I'm not the only one these days. Just getting a few very, very old quilts finally quilted and bound. Can we see a full photo of said pullover? Love your autumn description. Take care & hugs.

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    1. Thank you :) will get husband (or willing son) to don said jersey and twirl as I take photos :D

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  5. Doing too much when you shouldn't???? Join the club! I am guilting of this too; it is so tempting, when one feels a bit better, to do a bit more and then I'll just finish that job! I agree that we are definitely sliding into autumn. But that means spring is coming too! Amazing that you finished Himself's jumper. Can't believe you have no other WIPs lying around. xx

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  6. I know I know! it is so easy to 'just keep going' then you realise may be you shouldn't have! WIP wise - have worked through my pile over that last year, I do have some others but they are half made fabric dolls etc so they don't count!

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  7. Great splicing skills! Well done also for finishing the jumper - I have so many unfinished knitting/crochet projects it's a tad embarrassing! I'm always so enthusiastic at the beginning, a butterfly or just scatter brained, not sure!
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. Thank you Alison!
      Autumn is a good time to get them finished - just reach in a bag and pull something out and crack on!

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  8. I've not tried the splice, but my daughter has had good luck with it when working with wool. I don't knot, just start with new yarn and work in tails...often I'm not working with wool. Good for you getting the project done. I have multiple WIP and don't know that I've ever had a time when all WIP were finished.

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    1. Now's a good a time as any to tackle one or two of them! I could not believe how satisfied/relieved I was when I finished this one.

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