Backwards and Forwards

Is it just me, or do you feel that it is really the beginning of Spring? Is it to do with the quality of the light perhaps? Just the fact that we have had some sunshine feels like a positive after all the rain over the last few weeks. The daffodils are popping up all over the place, although I despair of my tulips which have been nibbled by our resident muntjac – not my favourite creature in the garden at the moment. I am full of plans for the garden, as I always am at this time of year. This year (I always say) I will definitely tidy everything up and be timely in sowing my seeds and potting up seedlings. Well, we will see.

Before I look forward into the craft projects and plans for the shop, I thought I would look back at February, which seems to have been dominated by the extremely wet weather. It was not all gloomy. We taught a crochet class all month and sent six new crocheters out into the world with the ability to crochet a granny square and we started a sock knitting course – currently the knitters are on the heel flap and will be turning the heel in the next couple of weeks. I love our classes – it is such fun watching people gain a new skill. If you are interested, details of our courses for this year are here. The next course is an absolute beginners knitting course which starts on 13 April.

West Yorkshire Spinners launched a new sock yarn in February – Colour Lab DK – six new colours in DK, named for genres of music – pop, rock, soul, jazz, blues and punk. As with their Signature 4ply, the yarn is a blend of 75% British wool and 25% nylon for strength. I love all the colours and will be knitting up a pair of socks in one of them as soon as I have finished the current sock I am knitting.

Otherwise in February our knit and natter sessions continued to be popular, which is great, and one of our regulars turned 17 on 29th February – happy birthday Terri! I also had a whole series of wonderful photos taken of the shop by Tamsyn Morgans – I am so delighted with them and very much enjoyed the shoot with Tamsyn.

On a personal crafting note, I finished knitting the Venezia Shawl, which I cast on on Christmas Eve, and was very pleased with the result. If you are looking for a light summer scarf which only uses one skein of fingering weight yarn, I recommend the pattern which is very easy to follow.

Looking forward to March, the main thing that is dominating our horizon is the East Anglia Yarn Festival on 9th and 10th March at the Norfolk Showground. Mandy and I have been gathering stock and planning the stand for what seems like ages, and I cannot quite believe that it is happening this week. Please note that the shop will be closed from 12.30pm on Friday 8th, re-opening as usual on Tuesday 12th March. I apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone who might not be attending the Festival, and look forward to seeing those of you who are.

On Saturday we started our latest Knitalong using cable stitch. Around 16 people turned up to the cast on (although in fairness not all of them were casting on a cable garment). I am a whole 6 rows into mine and am quite pleased with my progress. I may be some time, though – it’s a big garment and I have other things on my needles.

The Gallery Upstairs has re-opened for the year, starting with a solo show by Frances Coxeter – Seeking Meaning (out of the stone age), which launched on Friday. The exhibition will be on until 16th March, and will be followed ‘Space Between’ by London artist, Anna Levy on 23rd March (Private View on Friday 22nd 5 – 8pm). It is a joy to have the Gallery open again and to feel that the space is being used. Do come by and admire the art when you have a chance.

March ends with Easter, which comes early this year. The shop will be open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, but closed of course on Easter Monday as Mondays are my usual closing days.

Let me know what plans you have – for gardens and crafting – I am always interested.