Tuesday, March 14, 2017

That’s a fortnight of Lent disposed of – nearly 1/3. And Laetare Sunday is less than a fortnight distant. That’s when we relax for a day.

C. and I had a good walk, around Bonaly Reservoir this morning. The weather was bright and fairly vernal, but with a terrific wind, We walked for an hour, and covered perhaps 2 ½ miles. Not much, but there were two steep ascents involved. I feel much the better for it.

But I was in no state for much knitting when I got back. I’ve done some more ribbing, and must take care that the half-brioche sweater, so nearly finished, doesn’t slip away.

I watched some of Hazel Tindall’s video last night – it’s a two-disk set, but I can’t find the second disk or the box. Tonight I hope to watch a bit of Meg’s Fair Isle Vest video.  I was right: Hazel knits around with three needles, rather than four or five.

I had a nice time just now reading about what a wonderful time everybody had at the EYF, and looking at pictures of their hauls. My own acquisitions look positively restrained in comparison with many.

Non-knit

Jen, and Isabella (comments yesterday): my very happy weekend in Shetland happened not long before the (first) independence referendum. There was a substantial movement – posters in the airport, etc – in favour of the idea that if Scotland as a whole voted for independence, and the northern islands voted for union, they would be allowed to remain in the UK. They are not quite Scotland, up there; they have an interesting separate history.

But you can imagine how far they got with that idea, in the Scottish parliament.


The situation now seems to me rather parallel. We were promised last time that there wouldn’t be another referendum for a generation. 

12 comments:

  1. It's just wretched. I feel balanced on a knife edge - Scotland was emphatically for Europe in that referendum - and it has changed everything and nothing in relation to Scottish independence. The UK government has much to answer for - hard Brexit; the persistent crowing about the will of the people, and mandates is all rather bitter for those who oppose it and think that there needs to be discussion and scrutiny of the options on the table.
    Glad you managed to get out for your walk today. It was fair blowy!

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  2. Interesting to hear of differing views on Scottish independence. Seems a mess either way from Scotland's point of view, considering Brexit (this coming from an American who feels strongly-- how could I not?-- that our own political situation is a mess right now. Messier than ever in my lifetime, that is for sure, and seems to be getting worse all the time!

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  3. =Tamar12:13 AM

    It was blowy here, as well, and we've had the first real snow all winter. It was just an inch or two and much has melted where the road was plowed, but I still decided to stay indoors. The errands can wait. Happy pi day!

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  4. Sadly, I did not purchase Sweater Wizard when I had the chance, and now it is not available. And my computers would not support it in any event.
    Does anyone know of an alternate? You are all so knowledgeable. It would be wonderful to have such a tool.

    Cheers to Jean for a good walk, even in a strong wind.

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  5. Nice to get out for a walk, I hope you can more of them in.

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  6. The "once in a generation" comment was made by Alec Salmond who said that the opportunity for a referendum only came along once in a generation, it would take another generation before the political will of the people had the potential to change enough to try another referendum. So it was hardly a promise, more a well spread comment. And back then (in 2014!) there was no suggestion of Brexit. Brexit has accelerated the generational change AS was referring to, we're now living in a different world entirely from 2014.

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  7. Anonymous1:59 PM

    There is a pattern on Knitty.com for socks on two straight needles but you have to like Kitchenering and short rows. I think at some point I've seen at least one other such pattern. The Knitty one is also on Ravelry. Chloe

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  8. There is NEW sweater pattern generating software on Ravelry called 'Kniterator'. It will generate any size & has a Group on Ravelry for help & advice.

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    1. Sharon,
      Thanks for the suggestion. I will try Kniterator...

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  9. I'd be fascinated to see someone actually knit round with just three needles, rather than four. With just three the knitting would be on two, with the third to knit with, wouldn't it? I'm going to see if I can locate a video of this.

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  10. Well, I've looked - and you're right, of course. She does seem to be using much longer dpns than would be usual for sock knitting. How very odd.

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    1. I have a hat going on 3 long DPNs and my belt. It's clumsy at first, but I'd like to master it! The Shetland knitters are amazingly fast using those long needles and their belts.

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