Hello there 

I have had a lovely and very busy weekend. Yesterday I worked, knitted and gardened and today I worked (more marking) and started the very first of the new season’s re-enactment costumes. 

Now of course in another land far, far away I would have everything done months ago – not be cutting out stuff the week before our first event however in my defense – 

a) I have been doing a lot of other things since the season finished in Sept – all the Xmas stitching and knitting and the teddy etc etc. 

b) It is a good job that I didn’t make all the new stuff last year as what I have been making today are new clothes for my incredibly tall (and it seems still growing!) son. 

This is Jacob with Granny Pat – taken on holiday a couple of weeks ago – 

 Now granted she is not a tall woman – and by the way today is her birthday so very happy birthday Mum! But this is me standing next to her at the same spot – 

You see what I mean!  I am quite tall for a woman (5′ 7″) but Jake is just so very, very tall so he needs lots of new clothes now. 

I have been making new brais and hose – check out my Medieval Costume pages for more details of these garments but basically brais are a kind of linen long john worn underneath woollen hose which are split leg trousers. 

Have taken some detailed pics and will at some point find time  to put them up under the Medieval Costume Making sections of the blog but in the meantime here are some pics. 

All I do is fold them in half and cut them wider and much,much longer! 

Would have finished all stitching but have very temperamental sewing machine that was playing up again so still have lots of sewing to do -am getting myself a new machine for my birthday in June and can’t wait. 

I have had a good week for finishes – I have completed the Snowball baby blanket (did not take any pics as it looks the same as before bit a bit longer) and also completed the hat apart from sewing on the beads. 

Am glad I did another hat as I think that I have now got my head round how to do these kind of decreases and what is written on the pattern is starting to make sense to me as to how it should look when knitted which is what I am aiming to improve on this year with my knitting techniques. 

I have enjoyed the further lace work and so have decided that I will attempt a lace scarf. I have just cast on this project  from Ravelry – 

I am using this very beautiful Sublime purple yarn – again from Helen at Woolly Minded and Beady Eyed. 

It looks like it will be  fast knit – have only done about an hour tonight (while watching Season 8 of 24 – very exciting!) and have got about 6 inches done. May not have much time for knitting this week though as manically busy at work and have got to finish all sewing so Jake has clothes to wear next weekend! 

Last weekend I visited my local Quilting Guild – they had their exhibition – sadly could not take any pics of exhibits but did see the very lovely Sue Schofield of Springwood House Designs  who does the wonderful Xmas ornament designs that I have made so many of. We had a very nice chat and I had to buy some more fat quarters of Xmas fabric from all the wonderful stash she had for sale. 

I know I do have a bit of Xmas fabric already (!) but you never know – if the volcanic activity in Iceland turns really serious and we do enter a post-apocalyptic future I will have the stash to survive it. Besides some of it I could use for medieval related gifts as well. 

Anyway after the busy week ahead we are off to Bolsover Castle next Saturday for our first event of the season! Hurrah back under canvas – with a camp fire – again. I can’t wait – am going to be such a happy bunny – pray for nice weather for us will you. 

Thanks for visiting.