Almost Unwearoutable

Summer time

So we all turned our clocks forward for summer time and what did it do in Northumberland - yes you are right - torrential rain and snow!

I am virtually cut off with water surrounding me on every road. 

So this is the time that I can write a blog, get on with learning how to knit on my old circular socks machines which I use for the business. All the shooting stockings and kilts stockings are knitted on these machines but quite a few of the tops are knitted by hand and then put onto the machines.  The machines were made in 1890 and it is a pure art to know how to use them.  For me there is one problem,  I am a bit left footed or that should read, handed because I am not good at it.  However I have got Paul to help me.  He is son in law of one of my oldest knitters (actually she is not the oldest but has been with me for a long time).  He has taken away two machines to see if he can get them going and then with Paul's help, I will start giving lessons to anyone who is interested in learning.  I have one star pupil already Tot who came and saw how it worked and seems to be really interested in it all.  She is a good hand knitter.  

Have found some more old patterns to knit hats circa 1970s.  They are so pretty but the scarves take an enormous amount of wool so I am trying to make them shorter without losing the effect.  Yarn was cheaper in the 1970s.

I have taken the big step to get my Website optimised and made a group out of Almost Unwearoutable on Facebook.  The trouble with all this stuff is it seems to take a long time as I am not really sure how to do any of it.

What a beautiful day - drove my accounts up to my accountant in Alnwick - on the way dropping into a Knitter in Longhorsley who had some orders ready for me including a new knitted scarf in fairisle to go with the stockings - it looks really good and I am sure that I will sell a lot of them - so I have got her to knit another one.

On to Alnwick and then across to a friend at Tittlington - snow still on the hills - sheep looking hungry but pleased to have the sun on their backs. Looking across into Scotland with the snow on the hills absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. A day that is wonderful to be alive.

Dogs calling or wooffing for their walk so am signing out

Spent most of the last month applying to Fairs for the Autumn/Winter Season. I have only just seemed to have stopped selling at them last year.

I am hoping to get the (at the moment) redundant circular stocking machines out of the attic and see if I can attract some more knitters once I have got them up and running.. After that I thought I would ask anyone who wanted to have lessons to come and learn.

Also trying to lose weight most of the time this is a losing battle but Nellie, the border terrier, Poppy, the labrador and I are walking and walking. It is my sort of weather up here cold frosty and sunny - love it. Of course when I get in I have to not eat chocolate!!

I have also been looking after poor Nicholas Craig's new knee - It is going slowly. I am getting him to do his exercises and it is working which is wonderful. He will soon be walking round with me. I am not sure how much I will enjoy that as I quite like the solitude. Northumberland in February when it is like this is wonderful and it snowed today as well. Just hate those wet dank days.