Maureen, that’s really exciting news that you, too, are planning to knit a pair of Knitcircus graduated socks from opposite directions. Be sure to report back here on the result.

I not only reached the heel of the 2^nd Arne&Carlos sock yesterday, I got around it, gusset-decreases and all. Today, I hope to speed down the foot.

I guess the one good thing to be said about my husband’s current situation is that the slightly out-of-this-worldly Ward 15 is entirely devoted to getting rid of its patients. When I am wandering along long, mysterious passages utterly lost on my way in or out, and meet a helpful hospital employee, they refer to it as the “winter ward”. Otherwise, no news. I came home yesterday washed-out with exhaustion after just sitting there knitting for a couple of hours.

I also had a good session with the Tokyo shawl yesterday (having perked up a bit), and finished Band 26. That leaves three, of which the next is one of the little ones that pop out to make a bright accent. Then a five-row garter stitch finish, then that’s it. Blocking will be a bugger, I’m afraid. But this is an exciting moment.

It’s not only the nearness to the half-brioche sweater for myself, but also the thought of the great-grandchild and the Tiny Garments I hope to knit in only a couple more weeks. Knowing the sex in advance facilitates pattern-choosing.

Politics

We’re about to have a referendum – on Rachel’s 58^th birthday – about whether GB should remain in the EU. I have never known such a political moment. We ask each other, What do you think about this? – and all confess that we simply don’t know.

Whereas in the US, all are unanimously agreed that Trump is absurd and increasingly terrifying. Who is to stand in his way? Is Hillary sufficient?