Suffolk thoughts from London

I've been demon knitting in every spare moment for my Knit Now commission, only pausing to think about ideas for new patterns & submissions for their next subs call (oh, and to turn up at court & do the odd trial). It is looking quite good I have to say. The yarn I'm using is Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran, which really is very soft and drapey and warm. But I will not be able to wear it myself for months!! I'm still getting over the disaster of managing to lose my hand-dyed Caleta Tortuga on the way to an otherwise brilliant day at the Paralympics.

If you see this shawl in the Hanwell/Brentford area, please let me know.... (weeps quietly).

I'm also feeling a little annoyed, as I sent a sub off to another knitting mag over a month ago which I was intending to self publish if they turned it down but they haven't yet let me know either way, despite reminders. It's quite a topical Olympic theme so I would have liked to get it out this month if it's not going to be commissioned.

Anyway, finally went to the lovely Cafe Knit in Lavenham in Suffolk last month. They stock yarn from the Hebridean sheep flock on the National Trust's property at Orford Ness (a shingle spit of special scientfic interest, with old WW2 buildings, unexploded ordance etc) which I had to buy as that is where, over 9 years ago now, my husband proposed to me. I'm going to design an Orford Ness themed hat & scarf set with it; found myself on their website today & was very excited to see they have some new woad-dyed Lavenham Blue yarn. So I'm thinking a shawl or scarf with a cottage garden and timber framed roof - I've ordered a skein of it in 2 ply to see how I get on.

I've also been looking at lots of classic British glass and studio pottery.

I had a preserve making weekend last weekend - including bread & butter pickles, cider apple butter, raspberry jam with liqueur, blackberry & apple cheese, rhubarb relish, marrow & ginger jam, blackberry & apple jelly with creme de mure, allotment chutney with ale, raspberry, apple & geranium jelly, and a bit of blackberry ribena

There will be a selection on sale at the Billet's Hart allotment stand (along with other allotment produce) on Saturday 29th Sep at the Fox pub craft market in Hanwell.