Is it true that calories don't count when you eat standing up?

Found this in M&S this morning. I know such things are not special if you live in a city, but when you live in the country they are treasure!

Felted

I finished knitting the French Market Bag last evening, and had plenty of yarn left over - I probably could have knitted the body of the bag another few rows deeper, but there we are - I couldn't bear to think about having to rip the handles out because I didn't have enough wool left.

I couldn't wait to put it into the washing machine and see what happens.

Here it is drying in the sunshine, after two washes at 6o degrees. The Manos del Uruguay yarn shrinks far more than the Noro Kureyon.

As you can see, it's a glorious Spring day in the Cotswolds!

Weavette's here!

In an amazing demonstration of excellent customer service, the two Weavette handheld looms arrived from Purl this morning. Already had to have a play and am very excited by the potential of these little things.

Pictures later.

Unpacking - confession time!

First was the inspiration. We always seem to make our first stop at Barnes and Noble, wherever we land. After a long flight, there's nowhere quite like it for keeping us awake as long as possible!

Some things had been on my list for a while. Heaven knows what a customs man thinks when he opens up my suitcase to find so many bleach pens. This time, Tide-to-go was an additional find. I think there might be a more interesting use for it beyond removing stains? We will see.

Next on the list was to look at the Amy Butler bag patterns. Fortunately, that stop at Mood fabrics meant that I have a few bits of fabric to try.

It's too much of a challenge to leave a yarn store empty handed - School Products (two hanks of laceweight cashmere), Seaport Yarns (four skeins of sock yarn) and Habu (two cones of ever-so-ever-so-fine yarn and the two ditzy bitzy oddments) all had plenty of temptation.

As did Purl, although there it was these small, hand held weaving looms which grabbed my attention. Sadly, on getting back to the hotel, I found both boxes empty, so they are posting them on the me. A variation on "have it sent round" perhaps?

(Entertainment of the day: spelling out my rather complicated address over a crackly cellphone line. I have confirmed by email in the hope that the odds of them arriving safely will be increased!)

Last but not least, Toho beads on 6th Avenue, where I planned another couple of Caterpillar bracelets.

(BTW, I hope the green dye comes out of the white starched linen tablecloth in the Upper East Side restaurant, after I returned to my place having washed my hands whilst wearing the original Caterpillar!)

Finally, the wonderful treasure shared amongst friends. Look what Jordi had collected for me! I promise to post the results of my dyeing session.

Home again

Had a great time in New York this weekend, walking the streets, concert going, meeting up with friends and eating out.

Oh yes, had a little shopping to do too.

First stop, Saturday morning, was the Folk Museum, where there was a fantastic exhibition on - loved it!

But of course, we just had to take in other delights here , here , here and here.

It was a great weekend, the weather was fantastic and the company terrific. The hotel beds were amongst the comfiest we have ever slept in, too. At least we were more comfortable than David Blaine who is in the crystal ball here, outside the Lincoln Center.