redumbrella

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Evidence of Endeavour During Blog Absence

At last!!! I finished the top which I started on the bus tour of Scotland. I had finished the actual knitting but I let it "rest" a while before I sewed it up so I only got to wear it for the first time yesterday. It is really comfortable and fits well, being just the right width and length. I so often get one of those wrong.

The pattern was from http://www.garnstudio.com/ . This site has a great range of patterns to choose from. I did this with threex100gm balls of sock wool.

I'm settling into Darlington really happily and love being so near the centre of town and meeting people and getting out and about. I've loved my painting classes and hope to get to drawing classes next term and I have even been to the pictures for the first time in years, to see Elizabeth the Golden Age. I never miss my knit and natter club and was lucky enough to get a ride to the Knitting and Stitches Show. This is an annual highlight and thousands of women from the north of England descend on Harrogate over a period of four days. I went with Becky and her Mother Eunice who had come up from Hampshire. It was a grand day and I don't know where the six hours went. I came home with some recycled banana fibre, some wool and some mohair/silk and some sock wool and stuff like that. I shall do a separate post about it later.



And I have three pairs of socks on the needles at once. This demonstrates a lack of stamina and an attack of second sock syndrome.






There is a whole sock in the magenta colour but the brown and cream wool was a disappointing display of shades and has not yet reached the heel.








Also, I have decided to channel my hobby energies into starting a small business.I am buying and selling old and rare books. Mainly they are in the categories of Cats, Wool -crafts and the Wool-industry and sheep and Lace and Costume. A broad range but they are my own favourite areas. I have bought a couple of collections and have spent happy hours at the local antique auction house in town coming away with many boxes of mixed books. Some of these reveal a treasure or two and the rest mostly become piles of gardening, cricket and cookery books of no great renown or rarity. They seem to breed and are taking over the back bedroom.

So I have become Red Umbrella Books. Next weekend will be my first attempt to sell, at a bookfair in London. I shall be the one standing by my stall, knitting red socks.

More news when I return
Cheers Gillian

10 Comments:

  • I'm still thinking of what I will do with my 'finds' from Harrogate!! (felting machine hasn't arrived yet)
    Good luck with the book fair.

    By Blogger gonga, At 2:24 PM  

  • Oh Gillian you sound as though you've turned a corner and your life is going full steam ahead. It is so great too to hear that you have a wonderful man in your life, and I hope he makes you very happy. I love the vest, the colors look really great. I cant wait to see what you bought at the show too. Good luck with the book venture, it sounds as though you will be busy.

    By Blogger Sue, At 1:24 PM  

  • Ooh, good luck with your book selling!

    Your socks look great. Any self respecting man would love a pair of bright red socks!

    By Blogger amanda j, At 11:28 PM  

  • New man in your life? Woohoo, way to go Gillian. Going back to England seems to be the best thing for you. So glad that all is turning out so well.

    By Blogger Sue H, At 3:32 PM  

  • Oh Gillian, your bookselling business sounds like it will be wonderful and exciting. Just think of all of the fascinating people you'll meet! Will you have a webpage eventually too? Please take pictures in London if you have the opportunity. Your vest is lovely.

    By Blogger Heide, At 10:10 PM  

  • Nice vest. What a great idea to sell old books, and the categories sound very interesting, you will probably be reading alot of them as they are of your interests.

    By Blogger Ruby Girl, At 12:09 AM  

  • Glad you are settling in Darlo. The vest is fab and you Wensleydale Longwool cardi looks great on you. I will see you soon when I can get to a knit n natter.

    By Blogger Craftydramaqueen, At 2:58 AM  

  • Love the vest - I shall have to have another look at that website as they are always adding great new patterns.

    Good luck with the book stall, hope it all went well. Hopefully see you soon!

    By Blogger acrylik, At 8:16 AM  

  • Hopy you had a lovely Christmas and that the year is turning out a great one.

    By Blogger Sue H, At 9:08 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger carol, At 10:17 AM  

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