All Fingers and Thumbs

There is kneading and attempted disruption of the computer as I write this. Keep your enemies close and your cats even closer.

...I'm glad that Francis is not my only knit. Kureyon Sock yarn(Shade S184) provides some welcome contrasts. Contrasts I found outside too when I looked under the grey skies.

Four days away for work and not a stitch knitted; Francis and my cat are forgiving friends though - crawled out of bed this morning as far as the sofa and picked up where I left off on Monday night. Simple moss stitch to finish the bottom border. Soothing purrs to accompany soothing knitting. In the garden it's another story, I turn my back for a moment at this time of year and there are new discoveries aplenty awaiting my gaze. The plum tree blossom is officially over but the lush green canopy is now in place. Shade and shelter now for the summer to come (please let's say the UK will have a proper summer this year). The little apple tree has picked up the blossom baton. The potent mix of sun and showers should ensure more greenness bursting forth over the next few days. At this time of year I wonder whether there will be enough room for all the plants.

My weekends normally involve a big chunk of time assigned for just sitting and knitting but over Easter, dusty, dirty DIY took over and this weekend, knitting time was mainly limited to car time on journeys to and from the New Forest and a Heavy Horse Event that my Dad was participating in. Luckily the snaking spiral of Francis is just perfect for knitting on the go. Not that I tried it out in this vehicle. I think this fella has the best idea of what to do in the spring sunshine.

I finished up the Sock Roulette socks at the weekend. Thank you so much to Julie for organising and to Pam for knitting for me with such beautiful yarn and a great pattern. It's really fun to only knit one of a pattern and get a pair of socks and I found it strangely freeing to have the choice of what to knit taken away, especially when such a lovely choice had been made. Pattern: Serendipity Yarn: Socks that Rock - Lightweight Needles: 2.25mm Harmony DPNs Started: 21 March 2009 Finished: 4 April 2009 This sock was a real pleasure to knit; the pattern is simple but effective and the feel of the Socks that Rock yarn is wonderful. It's very firm and smooth - less springy than the other merino yarns I've tried like Shibui Sock or Jitterbug - but it feels like it has more substance, more density perhaps? I knew it would be lovely, it's something I've always wanted to knit with and it really is now taking every ounce of willpower and desire to destash not to blow a

...a splendid stay at home weekend, for the cats and I at least, the pace has been slow and languorous, with special seats, new projects started, wips made into fos , cook bookery rearranged, biscuits baked, yet more photos taken of my favourite blossoming tree, and a few other blooms, a promise of colour for the snow bound and one for the bleeding heart afficionados , a dinner out , and one to come courtesy of a newly found blog and then knitting and Lewis before bed. Simple pleasures.

Our plum tree, my jumper and my energy levels as the weekend begins. This is the perfect week night knit when the hands are willing but the mind is less so. I might look for a more challenging knit for a weekend without fixed plans, or it might be that the garden gets some attention if this glorious sunshine continues. Whatever your weekends hold I hope they are wonderful.