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Thursday 11 May 2017

One down, two still flying

I was pleased to hear that the bag sent to the US has landed right on target, and hope that the Canada and Australia ones land soon.

In my frenzy of tidying yesterday I discovered located no fewer than THREE boxes of fabric. There may be another giveaway on the cards, any suggestions welcome.

The knitting stash will be raided, very soon, for pale coloured yarns. Although Deb's suppliers have generously offered some free yarn I intend to use some of my stash for the Angel babies project. I may have some white, if there is any, from the freebie yarn to lighten my blankets. I only have a small amount, leftovers from some long forgotten make.

The first Regia sock is done, it is just like the ball band illustration to the heel start then it changes completely. Thisis because i used the heel pattern from "Vanilla is the New Black", a paid for pattern on ravelry by Anneh Fletcher. It has become my Go To heel, it is a perfect fit for both Francesca and the SO and is a dream to knit.
Although I do like the afterthought heel for speed and the opportunity to add a splash of contrast colour ( and use up leftovers), the Vanilla heel is my favourite. I will have to content myself with adding a contrast cuff and toe.


The ball showing the waste yarn, it is a centre pull.


The ball band outer.


The inner side shows each stage with brief written instructions.


The finished sock, as you can see the colour pools at the heel turn but it is not a problem as the second sock will  (it better!)  be identical.

I have had a very kind offer of a peg weaving loom and will be making a phone call later to discuss a swap. The loom for  sock knitting assistance, always happy to talk knitting, it sounds like the perfect deal from my side.

Nothing much left to say today except that the new apple tree looks very perky this morning. It is 5 years old and has flowers just opening, if any get pollinated and set fruit I will take all but 1 on each branch off, after the June Drop of course. I am impatient to have the fruit but do not want to spoil next years crop by overworking the tree this year.

It is on semi dwarfing root stock so will not become unmanageable in the years to come. I chose all my  fruit trees on either dwarfing or semi dwarfing root stock for the same reason. I have done my fair share of climbing up fruit trees that were taller than the house. I will be able to reach all these from ground level or at the most a set of low steps.

Time to enjoy the cuppa that has just materialised beside me. Oh the joy of magic in the house.

                         TTFN                                        Pam




21 comments:

  1. This wool that knits up into stripes just amazes me. I think it is so clever.
    Love the blue/grey colourway-x-

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    1. Some of it produces intricate patterns, that amazes me as we all have different tension and stitch count.

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  2. A bit of magic is always nice! I've never heard of leaving fruit on a tree...hmmmm....am going to have to read up on this. I'm tempted to try that yarn. And, I have the Vanilla pattern - will have to give it a go.

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    1. I didn't explain the apple thing properly, after the June Drop I will only allow 1 fruit per cluster to grow and ripen. This will leave the tree with strength to grow sturdier and build up reserves to make for a good crop the following year. Do try the pattern, I use that heel with other sock patterns now, the SO swears that it is the most comfortable to wear of all the patterns that I have used.

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    2. I might be wrong but I think Pam means to remove all the set apples after the June drop but leave one apple on each branch to allow it to grow to full size. That way she gets to taste the apples but doesn't overburden a young tree. We have a cordon Cox and we had to be very patient for a few years to allow the tree to become strong. This year looks like a bumper one. Hurray.

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    3. Ahhhh, understand now about the apples - thanks!

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  3. Oh gosh, I really DO let my apples grow feral as I have never plucked off the smaller (or is it bigger?) fruit to allow it to grow on. I just accept what is coming to me (allowing for bird losses of course) and give lots of apples to friends and neighbours, as well as using what I can over the winter.

    How long does it take you to knit a pair of socks now? All these different ways of turning heels . . . I have a lot of learning to do (and re-learning, shame on me!)

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    1. I will take off the smaller fruit on all my trees, that way I will get bigger apples but less of them. When I had my orchard of standard trees I didn't bother. I would have had to climb up and down for a month to get them all. I can knit a pair in 4 days if I have to but just like to pootle along and enjoy them. Francesca,s are the quickest as she has dinky feet. As a small child I would knit for my dolls and make sweaters with raglan sleeves, no pattern just by looking and measuring as i went. I did the same for myself once I was around the 9/10 mark and they all fitted well. I wouldn't even think of attempting that now. so no shame at all.

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  4. I am stripping the blossom off new planted trees so they can build up a better root system, thanks for showing the wool :-)

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    1. I would normally do that but this tree came in a decent pot and is very sturdy so a few fruit will not harm it.

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  5. I do that with my Meyer Lemon tree. This year it had tons of blossoms, but many were lost to our unseasonable wind storms. The way this house is built it gets plenty of west sun but it's cut up into such awkward rooms that I can't bring any plants in to start.
    I love the plaid that you've laid the socks on, I have a scarf like that I throw around me when it gets cold in my office. Keeps my neck warm.

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    1. I have lemon tree in the greenhouse, it did well last year but is having a rest this year so far.

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  6. Have you been to Suzannes blog-http://lifeatnumber38.blogspot.ca/
    She is constantly making things for angel babies, even little cribs, she is very talented. Love the new socks, especially the colours.

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    1. Oops, just found out it is The Tigerlily Trust.

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    2. I haven't yet but will soon.

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  7. Just wondering how your Monday knit and natter went?

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    1. It was quiet, just three of us but we did lots of nattering and a fair bit of knitting, I will be there tomorrow.

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  8. Your sock yarn is a great idea. I'd love to know if your second sock turns out exactly the same. It is something I struggle with.
    I could do with some magic in this house today. X

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    1. I will be casting it on later and taking it with me tomorrow, if it doesn't match I will not be happy as the yarn was not cheap.

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  9. Very pretty yarn!

    I have years ago heard of removing the apples, but had forgotten that.
    We have a young tree, maybe four years my husband grafted. We want to move it to our son's house. His old tree blooms but never bears since the other one died.
    We're hoping this new one will pollinate it, if it survives the transplanting from our house to his. I will watch for the blooms now, thank you!

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    1. As long as the transplanted tree is looked after it should be fine, the most important thing is to keep it watered.

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