Firstly, Happy Halloween!
I remember growing up in the UK, cold Autumn nights this time of year - unlike the 30 degree heat we have in Melbourne at the moment... and one memory sticks in my head particularly... since Halloween and Guy Fawkes night are so close, my Granddad, who was a farmer and a very artistic chap, decided to amalgamate them... He happened to have a big empty field, and made a huge bonfire, carved swedes, yes pumpkins were very exotic in the 1970's in North Yorkshire!! He had swedes that were legendary in size! But the magic of that night, fireworks, bonfire keeping us all warm, sparklers in hand (probably highly dangerous in those days too!) and our swedes with scary faces and candles burning in them came back to me in an instant when I was wheeling my trolley round the supermarket this week and saw monster sized Pumpkins... Well - it was too much for me to resist recreating a bit of magic for my own children. So armed with knife just as old Granddad did, I sat and carved out my pumpkin much to Mr 2's delight. It was messy, yes, but boy was it fun! I might not have a field to have a bonfire in (and I doubt, since we live in bush-fire area, that it would be welcomed!) and I may not be allowed to light fireworks (again because of the bush-fire area) but I can bring a little Halloween magic to the family...
Here is the last installment of Christmas Gift Yarn Club - gorgeous colour - Tree Snake 100% Australian Organic Merino 4-ply and the knitting pattern for Snow Garden Cowl.
The pattern for Snow Garden Cowl will be available 26th April 2013 to non-club members.
The pattern for Snow Garden Cowl will be available 26th April 2013 to non-club members.
My new knitting pattern, Aphelion Cowl, has been released today - its a free download on Ravelry so go, help yourself - recommended yarn is any dk yarn. I used Madeleinetosh Tosh DK in 'Well Water' colourway - its gorgeous!