yarn along - Free Mittens for Mum Pattern - Erika Knight

"Pappy and my father sat side by side on the swing, it's rusted chains squeaking as they rocked gently. Gran and my mother shelled butter beans and peas on the other side of the old porch. I was lounging on the top step, within earshot of the radio...waiting with the adults for the heat to finally relent. I missed the steady hum of the old fan..." The Painted House, John Grisham

Well my sock plan went a bit topsy turvey. I'd packed the yarn away. All the projects I was working on squashed into my old well travelled leather suitcase, ready for a long weekend in London. Twice as much yarn as clothes. Imagine all the knitting I'd be able to do away from home, with no decorating to even think about. I might even be able to squeeze in a visit to Liberty or Portobello road, or (with a slight ulterior motive) to my sister who lives a stones throw from this amazing yarn shop. 

Then it happened again. The first day in London, I came down with the flu or some horrible virus and I couldn't do a thing. I tried and kept knitting. But I unravelled as many rows as I knitted. Sitting curled up on the sofa in my sister-in-law's flat with a pounding head and a barking cough, a mug of lemon and honey close at hand, I kept making mistakes and the yarn was dark and the needles tiny. I couldn't see when I dropped a stitch. Eventually after I dropped one too many, I gave up and resorted to plan B and bought socks. I'm so sorry I didn't manage to make them but my brain was a bit addled with the germs and I couldn't get my head round the wrap and turn again...I don't know where that sudden aversion has come from...It's also stopped me finishing Ahmad's Cobblestone sweater...I really need to get a grip of myself.  I've made tons of those socks before...Really deb...Get a hold, and pull your socks up!

For now, it's easy peasy baby steps. I'm making simple fingerless mitts using a lovely free pattern by Erika Knight. They are made in the softest Blue Faced Leicester wool. They take two sweet little 25g balls. Hopefully they are the first of a number of stocking fillers. This pair a long overdue gift. It took me ages to decide on the colour. I did quite a bit of cyber stalking. Checking instagram photos to try and decide. Would my long distance friend favour grey or blue, maybe bright red or orange. Not a clue. Maybe 'milk' a subtle winter white, but it was out of stock. Finally I fell across the perfect colour. It was all in the name. 'Gift' a pale honey colour. 

I'm still on the porch in Arkansas when it comes to books. It's a slow read so far but I know that will change very soon, so I keep on reading. 

I'm joining ginny and nicole this week,
coming?