The 'hole' weekend

It appears that a three day weekend seems to go as quickly as a two day one. Today, being a bank holiday, was a quiet one. There had been a palpable sombre tension in the air, although now mid afternoon, life seems to be returning with cars driving through the village and dog walkers scattered on every path and lane.

Himself's jeans before (with massive knee tear) and after with the Ganzezashi pattern also known as the sea urchin stitch

Having finished Himself's pullover and with a serious crafting/sewing itch, I tackled a pile of jeans with various holes and tears.  I am still inspired by Sashiko and used motifs from a book which Eldest and his lovely girl gave me a little while ago.

Eldest's jeans with a simple concentric circle pattern and a Jujitsunagi named after the kanji character for ten which suggests prosperity with ever increasing tens - I left one character unfinished to imply future prosperity still to come

Eldest had managed to tear holes in a couple of pairs of fairly new jeans so they too were reinforced with supporting fabric and more Sashiko inspired stitching. We'll be seeing them this weekend and I will happily hand over two pairs of hole-free jeans.

Himself knocking holes in the lounge chimney breast, and in the attic wall, 

Eldest and Himself up on our roof - manhandling the  flue into the chimney

Speaking of holes, Himself has been mending holes too. Our woodburner flue - the liner running up our chimney came to the end of it's life - which entailed removing the degrading pipe and replacing it with a new and substantially better version. The original plan was Youngest, Himself and I would do it several weekends ago before the weather turned.  Himself had already demolished sections of the chimney to be able to reach and remove the offending flue then covid hit us and we could not continue. Neither of us felt well enough to lift and pull over 12 meters of metal piping up on to the roof and feed it down the chimney - we had to wait until we felt less rubbish. Fortunately last weekend Eldest came and with the three of us - I tried my best limp wristed help when ever possible - hoisted the piping up and fed it down. They were fantastic but it did take all day and they both came away with bruises and grazes.

Holes everywhere! But definitely being filled back in!

Now this weekend, Himself filled the holes, cementing the bricks back in. We then tidied and cleaned up the construction mess - it felt really good (read exhausting) to get the attic room looking nice again.

Who could resist?

Whilst we were having lunch, a little furry face appeared around my knee and asked if we could go for a walk - so we did. Via the 'dog lead-o' (lido) and that little furry face was so happy (and wet!) It is a while since we visited the neighbouring village well.  It is a year round dog favourite (hence calling it the dog lead-o). The water is bone cold even in summer but it does not seem to deter a certain dog!

Water dripping off her face as she had been trying to get her frisbee out of a rather deep hole in the 'lead-o'

Himself has lived in his new pullover and mended jeans (which I am secretly rather pleased about) and even let me take photos of him modelling them on our walk this afternoon.

I may have been looking on the internet to find another pullover for him - a simple Guernsey - I shall blame my need to knit!

And, does the fire work now the flue has been replaced? Well, it seems that it does and someone is rather pleased it has been lit.

The final note - the swallows have gone. So has summer. I am trying not to let it get to me. Bring on the knitting!

Have a good week xxxxxx

In at the deep end

 Go on, I said, let me fix it for you ... I really would love to. You'll be doing me a favour - I need my hands to be busy and I love doing that sort of thing....

It took a couple of weeks of gentle (ok persistent but gentle) persuasion to be able to prise this jersey (well you lot would call it a cardi but a jersey is a jumper is a cardi to me!) and bring it home. It is a well loved lamb's wool super soft favourite of a dear friend of mine and I'd seen that she'd already made a couple of repairs and that another hole had begun to appear.

I brought it home and started to un-pick the stitches so that I could see what I was working with and soon found that there were many mini repairs all over the body of the jersey. It was like doing textile forensics with the differing coloured thread revealing many layers of repairs to this beloved item of clothing.

Every time I turned the garment over, I found another mend or another hole. So, I decided to start with the smallest wounds and work my way up the the major one on the left under arm.

I kept going, building up my courage and practising different techniques - good old fashioned darning, Swiss darning, boro-esque stitching, patchwork, applique, freeform, pseudo-Dorset buttons and 'wing-it'.

Each evening, after we'd eaten, I'd switch on my anglepoise lamp and stitch another hole closed, avoiding looking at the large one on the arm until apart from a worn thin area that I was going to weave over, I had no choice but to tackle the arm. In the end I took the scissors to it and just cut away all the threads and wool then picked up each tiny stitch and sewed them to prevent any more unravelling.

It was then a matter of finding a soft but strong fabric to patch from the inside and applique stars and tiny stitches to strengthen the knitting. Strangely enough, once I'd got over my reluctance to repair this particular gaping hole - it turned out to be my favourite mend.

This afternoon, after three weeks, I completed the final mend - the woven section on the left front, took the photographs and folded up the jersey. Both relieved and bereft it was now completed. It can return home tomorrow. I shall miss it's company!

This was an act of rebellion against the tide of the throw-away-society as well as an act of kindness to a friend who does so much - thank you x

Home

 I knew that this weekend was going to be an at home one, Youngest was home with a list of online applications to be submitted, dissertation to work on, gobbets to complete and a girlfriend away. The applications are for the next step after uni and the amount of work he had to do before he could even start was astounding. The closing date is today and he has completed this part, there is another set next week. So, I kept him fed and watered at regular intervals as Himself and I did a few chores around the house.

We worked in our garden, it took some effort I have to admit - I do gardening all week so my poor garden gets neglected somewhat. The chilly breeze did not help to be honest however by lunch time we'd weeded and tidied a couple of beds, cleared the glasshouse ready for salad, tomatoes and peppers and weeded and swept the path. Still plenty to do however a good start!

It was a bit chilly after lunch so I settled down with a mug of tea and started mending my coat. It is one that was gifted to me some years ago by my sister-in-law. She'd bought it in a charity shop soon after they'd come back from Africa and wore it a few times but never really bonded with it. So she offered to me and of course I gladly accepted! It felt stiff as a board the first time I wore it, so I chucked it in the washing machine on the wool cycle and hoped for the best! It came out so soft and snuggly and I loved it more! With years of wearing by me and probably as many again before I owned it, the coat - an Eres long double breasted tweed(ish) one, began to show signs of wear. The pocket fabric had perished in one and torn in the other and the cuffs and button hole edges had worn thin.

One pocket has had a soft (but strong) patch inserted over the wear to strengthen and repair and the other has had teeny tiny but visible 'Franken-stitching' in red thread. The cuffs were over sown with slate grey Ronaldsay Aran wool - a sympathetic colour rather than a camouflage mend.

I found the button holes the hardest to mend - they'll do, but I am not that happy with them. At least when I button up the coat it won't flap open again immediately, so that is a win 😁

My final bit of visible mending was to repair and strengthen holes in my favourite mittens. Part of a gift swap some years ago, I received these very pretty hand knit mittens and I used them regularly. Recently (I think I have had them about ten years) they, not surprisingly, have signs of their age and regular use. They had been relegated as work mitts, despite how delicate they look, they are surprisingly robust. So, a few bits of brightly coloured embroidery floss later - my mitts are back in business!

And just like that, the weekend has gone by. Lots done, yet nothing happened - keeping ourselves busy yet keeping ourselves quiet. 

I have scones to bake for Youngest to take back when he returns to uni so I'll stop here and get on. 

stay safe xxx

Stitching

 I have a shirt. 

A favourite shirt which I will reach for first nearly every time, it is a perfect partner to jeans and boots. It was a teenage cast-off from one of my boys and I suspect I have loved and lived in it for about nine or ten years. 

Suddenly it started to wear thin - first it was an elbow, so I trimmed the chest pocket and stitched the patch with the teeniest tiny stitches. I was rather pleased how I managed to colour and stripe match making the repair virtually invisible.

Then about six months later, my cuffs and the narrow placket down the front showed signs of wear. So this time I stitched a floral fabric along the wear marks and absolutely loved the contrast of the materials.

Then, last weekend after I'd worked on the Saturday, I changed out of my work duds and of course reached for my jeans, boots and fav shirt. I was horrified to see a huge tear on the back - the fabric has just worn thin with use and love. So reluctantly I had to put on my second favourite shirt (which is so not favourite at all in comparison!) However, the thought of adding patches of love and stitches rather excited me.

In a rather simplistic Boro mending style, I matched embroidery floss to both fabrics and quietly stitched rays of  sympathetic colour. I wanted to reinforce the material of the shirt as well as embellish the patch.

Feeling rather happy with my mending, I shook out the shirt to inspect and found that the other elbow was looking a little thin .... well that meant a bit more mending didn't it...?!

This time I tried a more 'organised' pattern and with a nod to Sashiko mending this time I made long waves of colour. I may be a teeny bit in love with this patch...

Mending my shirt was important - not just the act of making a favourite shirt last a little longer, not just a rebellious act against fast fashion and the throw away society, not just a process of creativity - in a strange small way - I was not just mending my shirt, it was my way of symbolically mending what is happening. 

A form of self care too.

Slow, snow Sunday

This morning felt really chilly with an icy grey cloud hanging low over the village. It was not long before it started to snow, so it seemed a really good time to reach for the thread and needle and continue my sewing.

I can't tell you what it is as the person it is destined for does read my blog however what I am sharing is a little tip I picked up a while ago and used very successfully today. See the two marks on my nail? They line up with the blanket stitches. I'd read that if you are doing tiny sewing, by marking on your nail the distance you want to your stitches to be, it helps give a regular spaced out rhythm to your sewing and once you've completed the stitching - you just wash off the ink on your nail. Simples!

By lunch the snow suddenly stopped and although the sun didn't break through the clouds, the sky lightened and in places the snow glowed gold in the afternoon gloom.

We didn't go too far, just our local 'dog loop' around the village and Moss was delighted - she loves snow, racing around, skidding and chasing snowballs. She grabs mouthfuls of snow and seems to enjoy chewing it - strange. The next picture is my favourite for today - I love how she is 'standing proud' with her stick she 'troffled' out of the snow to carry.

As we reached the highest point of our walk, a snow-laden fog drifted over the hill and down into the valley, slipping in and around of buildings. It gave the village wind turbine the appearance of floating about the ridge.

We dropped off the ridge we were on, back down into the village, as we - although wrapped warmly and walking briskly - were both just barely warm enough and I was certain I could hear the 'kettle calling' to us. And of course - you just can not have a mug of tea whilst warming your toes in front of the fire - without a fiery dark ginger cake ..... so that is what we did! 

I will share the recipe with you tomorrow - unless something more interesting happens - but at the moment the cake will top most things due to it's deep dark gingery and gooey goodness with it's soft and squidgy texture.... just might have to go in for a third oops I mean 'another' piece, before my mug of tea is finished.

Well. 

That is the weekend. 

It has slipped away somewhat. Never mind😊

Hope your weekend was gently kind to you and there were precious moment to treasure xxx💗💗

Sew sew Saturday

 It's been a busy ol' week. As a gentle remedy I'm quietly stitching.

It feels quite cathartic.

#moreblogvember

Blogtober day 18 - what a (chilly) breeze

This afternoon while I listened to the radio the rain clattering outside, I sewed. I've not sewn in earnest for over a year now. During the lockdown the sewing machine saw serious action while I made masks and cushion covers then as life began to open up and we returned to work and we could emerge from the safety and seclusion of our homes, the sewing machine quietly began to to collect dust.

Eldest and his partner have set up their home in a lovely if slightly wonky cottage and like all old buildings, modern doors don't fit so there is often (who am I kidding) there is always a gap where a sneaky draught will slip through.

So today - I made two draught excluders - in a mustard and grey 'tartan-esque' upholstery fabric. In two different lengths to fit the width of two different doors.

I did fiddle about quite a bit with the first one as I wanted a specific shape. I felt that a completely tubular roll might let cold air both over and under it and I wanted some 'sharpish' corners to be able to tuck up tight against the door to reduce the gap.

The fabric I had came with a fringed edge and I really wanted it to show - well that had me scratching my head too - but I managed !

So, by the end of the afternoon I had two stuffed draught excluders and I discovered something, they really do work! They kept the draught out from beneath this door ... I shall be making a third excluder - but for us!!

How long have I muttered about the chilly breeze on my feet in the evenings during autumn and winter???!! (slaps forehead 🙄) 

#blogtober2021

Blogtober day 5 - the ripped up version

I am supposed to be working today but the weather outside and the weather on my laptop (and my cell and the TV - yes I checked them all) all say it is going to be ..... 

 
hmmmmmm 😕

Any hoo ... in fact the sky outside is a most evil yellow grey mush - my camera can't pick up the true depth of grot but it is definitely rather menacing. The interesting thing is though - it is not so much the weather being the issue but this morning's first garden ..... which has to be done no.matter.what... Most folk are really understanding and if I postpone coz of the weather - so be it, however...... I best get my waterproofs out (all of them....) for my first garden (the owner is a lovely lady - but her garden is very very important to her and it has to be 'just right').

What I was going to waffle on about was something a little more domesticated (no - that sounds like I have been house trained to behave .... try again) what I was going to waffle on about was a bit of an essential repair job. 

While we were on house moving duties, I caught the back of my puffa jacket on the corner of something sharp and ripped the fabric. Now, this jacket is a working one and has suffered rips and snags before and has been repaired. Not I might add in the usual way but in one inspired by boro boro mending.

Using a rather eclectic mix of Japanese influenced stitchery, patchwork and good dose of old fashioned 'I-don't-really-follow-rules-and-just-make-it-up-as-I-go-along' method, I appliqued a flowery shape over the tear, then ran a double thread back and forth to strengthen the fabric below while securing the patch. I love the unevenness and random bumpy feel of the stitches on the cloth. 

While I was stitching a certain cat was making the most of having the other settee to herself and was snoozing happily in the glow of the woodburner - I knew she was warm coz she'd flopped over and exposed her feet and her little 'toe-beans' looked rather pink.

I am no expert, nor am I particularly neat when it comes to sewing - however it does what it is supposed to do - repair the rip, look fun and make me happy and it does all three!

So, how is October so far for you?

Were you one of those floored by the lack of FB, Whatsapp and Insta?

Did you even notice is was off or was it a blessing?

And ... the million dollar question .... will I be working later!?!? (answers will be added later😄☔)

#blogtober2021

**Edited to add: Morning garden was a washout and fortunately the owner cancelled without a quibble,  although obviously a washout of a day, just waiting for confirmation of cancellation of afternoon -