Here we are again. Helen and her boys left yesterday morning, to drive to Newcastle to catch the ferry to Amsterdam. Today they plan to drive a long way south, to an old friend in France where they will stay a day or two. Everything is very quiet here.

Knitting

I got back to grips with life after they left, and am now nearly finished with row 94 of the Mourning Shawl border – there are 102 rows in all, plus another four in which break holes are introduced and the stitch count further reduced. So I’m making real progress.

The Rorem lace-alphabet sampler scarf pattern has arrived from the Schoolhouse. No numerals, but it does include an upside-down alphabet which will speed things along a good deal. “2011” shouldn't be difficult to confect. I must have several 2’s here and there in my notes.

Meanwhile in Strathardle I started the Japanese shirt – three times.

The first time, I decided after an inch or so that I really wasn't enjoying myself because of the long purl rows. And that was just the back. Pretty soon, once the vents were finished, the rows would be vastly longer, with the fronts attached. So I started again, in garter stitch.

I worried a lot about what the designer would think – not the Japanese one, but kind Stella who wrote the pattern for me in English. I finally found the courage to write to her, and she blessed the idea at once with what sounded like enthusiasm. So that was a great relief.

I think I probably have enough yarn – I always buy generously, because I hate worrying. I’ll reconsider that aspect of things when I finish the first skein. The spacing of the buttonholes will have to be adjusted – the pattern does it with a specified number of rows between. And the sleeveholes rejigged. I ought to be able to manage that.

The second attempt, however, seemed too wide. As it happened, I had the recently-completed Round-the-Bend along, whose size I like. The Japanese shirt was coming out substantially wider (Japanese designer’s choice). So I started again, and narrowed it somewhat. Here’s where I am – that’s the back, a few rows short of the point at which I stop and cast on one of the fronts.

The madeleinetosh yarn is simply wonderful. She suddenly seems to be everywhere.

Non-knit

I was going to write about Oedipus but there isn’t time this morning.

Today’s excitement is – should be – the arrival of an iPad 2, James’ and Cathy’s wonderful birthday present to me. Parcelforce have got it, for now. I am beside myself. If I can make it go, I will start by buying a book (the new Ruth Rendell, I think) and seriously consider subscribing to Piecework. No more clutter! Thomas-the-Elder has one, on which he reads the New Yorker and the Economist.