Here are the pics of Rams&Yowes. Yes, knitting08816, I could probably improve the side, steeked, edges, and strengthen them while I'm at it, with a crochet hook. But I have reached and indeed passed the That'll-have-to-do stage. All I'm going to do is to wrap it up.

I'm worrying away about how the Unst Bridal Shawl will look when I pin it out for blocking. Its history has been exciting. As I remember it, the centre is OK, the pick-up for the borders to be knit outwards didn't go smoothly, there was that episode when the needle broke and 30 or 40 stitches shot off into space, the problem of the Messy Corner was never solved...

Hazel Carter says that blocking makes one acutely aware of such issues but that nobody else will notice. I'm not entirely sure. I sent the original edging off to Hellie yesterday, unblocked, explaining that it would serve only to let her and her dressmaker know the exact shade of whiteness of the yarn. I think it's more what the House of Bruar calls “winter white”.

If the yarn for Archie's sweater doesn't turn up in the next couple of days, I shall begin to worry. I need it. I am perfectly happy with the edging of the Unst Bridal Shawl and must keep at it, with the aim, perhaps, of finishing early in the New Year. The original edging took me just over a month. Have I deteriorated that much in 2014? It's a pretty easy 12-row pattern but I find even so that I don't entirely trust myself with it late in the evening when I am seriously tired. Two repeats of the edging pattern and then switch-to-Archie would make better use of time.

I must make an educated estimate of how many repeats remain and of, therefore, how long it will take at two-a-day.

Meanwhile I could cast on the Northmavine Hap...

Non-knit

Rachel phoned last night and extended an invitation from Thomas to his eve-of-wedding supper party. It's not a Rehearsal Dinner – I don't think we have them yet. I remember that my husband's sister was profoundly baffled by the phrase when I got back from Theo and Jenni's wedding five years ago and tried to describe to her their wonderful one. This one will be Thomas' immediate family and best man and ushers – plus Alexander and Ketki, to supervise the Little Boys who will somehow figure in the wedding; and me.

Rachel said that Lucy has threatened to intervene if the party becomes too raucous or prolonged.

It will be held at Middleton Lodge. We seem to have the whole place for the whole weekend – perhaps that's how it's always done. I accepted with alacrity, not least because I will be able to slip away and go to bed early, a rare treat last enjoyed at Burrastow.

Meanwhile everybody else – Greek Helen and her family, sister Helen and hers, James's family except for James, will be making merry somewhere else, the Salon des Refuses. I am sure they will have a jolly time too, all the better for being a bit more relaxed, but if I had joined them I would have had to be driven back to Middleton Lodge, or put in a taxi. It's better to be able to walk to bed.

I've got to write an essay on patriculture for James. I mustn't leave that too late.