Plodding Progress

I finished the body of the shawl - Yippeeeeeeee!

And I started the border - droop.

Mother has finished hers completely. She even sewed on her own border. I have the shawl here for blocking, tormenting me. The border repeat is only 8 rows, varying between 10 and 18 stitches, but you think I can memorise it? Mum said that she never did, even though she knitted 160-odd inches of the thing. I hope she hasn't been sending me subliminal messages. Still, at least the end is in sight and there are no babies - yet.

As if my knitting didn't present me with enough white, on Thursday I got up, staggered out of bed, pulled back the curtains and was confronted by a completely white world. The snow was half way up the car wheels. I had a lovely and totally unexpected day off work; the disadvantage of living on the top of a hill. If we get any more snow I think I will start driving a 4x4. I finally succumbed and built a snowman, albeit a rather pathetic and small one.

Well, you have to make an effort and show up the local kids, don't you?

Dave didn't make the physiotherapist due to the snow, but he's been driving increasing distances for the past week (to start with he got only as far as around the block) and today he tried the bike. It was a success, so I guess his sick leave is almost over. In truth, I think he'll be glad to get back to work.

Finally, if you haven't yet acquired a copy of Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard, I urge you to dash to the nearest bookshop (or Amazon) and get one, especially if you a) hate sewing up and b) like tinkering around with patterns. Long ago I decided Tomato was my mistake, not hers, and there are some great patterns and techniques in the book. In truth, it's one of the most informative knitting books I've come across in a long while, even if I think it might be a while before I make a dress form of my own body out of duct tape!