posted by Lily on crafty, knitting

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Several evenings ago, a stash of candles were purchased, an empty and unemployed milo tin dug out of the laundry cupboard, afore mentioned candles were dropped into it, and it was placed atop the piano, next to our nightly candle holders, for easy access.

I lit the candles … including a pair Abby and I had made in some sweet egg cups way back when we made her birthday party candles … and stood back to admire the prettiness.  Except really, in a room full of hand stitched cushions, crocheted rugs, quilts and embroideries (this room is the Lily Room, as opposed to the simple bareness of the front room which is the Julian Room) this milo tin looked rather out of place.

I pondered its future – a little quilt ( I made some last year for the kitchen tins that hold our special bits of cutlery ) Embroidery?  Whilst in the shower this morning, I thought it almost certainly needed a crocheted cover similar to that on the stool below.  Then, with wool gathered and crochet hook at the ready, I decided what I REALLY wanted to do was knit more fair isle. More practice … build up the skills so as I can tackle this for Abby!

The loveliest Sunday afternoon ensued.  Julian, after cycling to Mount Eliza and back (he’s a bit strange) snoozed on the sofa.  Abby worked on her manga – she’s writing and illustrating her own Agatha Christie style manga.  Hot milos were made ( I’m on a bit of a mission to finish the current tin of milo super quick so that I can put it to use in the bathroom!) And I – warm and toasty in my old red flannel skirt and slippers, and inspired by a much loved needlepoint book – set to working out just how many stitches and rows would be required to dress this milo tin up.

There was a false start – I attempted a one stitch checkered border in red and grey – complete disaster – had to pull the whole lot out and cast on again.  But now, at bedtime, the red border is neat and smart, the grey background dense and smooth and wee white diamonds and lime and pink Persian flowers have started to appear.

It’s really most addictive.  And I think I am getting the hang of it … a little.  There’s probably a really sensible way of organising the different balls of wool and the best way to twist and carry the yarn along the back.  Maybe I should find a book on fair isle.  I did ask at a local wool store last year whether it was something she taught a class in (NOT the marvellous Wondoflex or super friendly Morris and Sons) but the owner of this unnamed shop shrugged off my interest, declaring you just did it.  Really?  You reckon!?  Boy, some folks are just so ready to share the wisdom, huh ;-)

Hopefully, tomorrow morning will see this little fair isle band finished and the milo tin will be dressed and ready for the winter ahead :-)  And I might have worked up the courage to get stitching on Abby’s cardigan and maybe, even, perhaps, one day …. this!