I’m off to do some visiting for the next few days, crossing a much smaller pond than I did last month. Before I go, I’m hurrying to get a post out to you, based on the continued sorting of my photo files. The boon that is digital photography is something like that magic porridge bowl of fairy tales, isn’t it? Be careful what you wish for!
So in the twin interest of sharing and culling, I give you:
- I finished knitting a pair of Coraline gloves for the granddaughter who requested them. My first pair of gloves ever, at least of ones with a full set of full fingers. These were much more fiddly than mitts or fingerless gloves — there’s a reason I resisted for six previous decades of knitting — but she couldn’t have been more delighted with them. Well worth the effort, then!
2. If I were ever to covet a royal chapel, this one (in the Royal Palace in Turin) would be right up there with that jewel box in Paris. . .
3. And just to demonstrate how idiosyncratic is my traveller’s eye, it can be pleased by light streaming through a royal chapel or by this image in La Toilette of a great cafe in Geneva, just across from the train station. The Big Lebowski enjoying a, um, relaxing moment, lighting it up in a cheerfully orange room. . . Made me smile! (Oh Martine!, should you ever find yourself with some free time between trains in Geneva)
4. My sweet little room in Paris, where I was so glad to be able to sleep for more than one night, after two weeks of changing locations daily. Also relieved to find that despite all the media noise about creepy critters, there were no bedbugs here. . .
5. Again, with the quirky travelling eye which has me snapping photos of random phenomena. . . I did love the idea of a Müesli Bar, though (this one was in the underground mall / train station in Zurich). Sadly, it wasn’t open when I was there, and, anyway, I’d already had breakfast at my accommodation, but I’d be a happy customer, perhaps carrying my müesli onto the train and watching green fields and mountains fly by while I chowed down on a healthy breakfast.
6. Not going to apologize for this image, though. I will concede its quirk, Ma dai!, who would not turn paparazza at her first sighting of a praying mantis! I spotted this one on the last day of our Via Francigena walk from Lucca to Siena. Pretty cool, eh?
And that will have to do for this morning, because I have a ferry to catch shortly (and some grandkids to hug a bit later!).
I hope you enjoyed dipping into this grab bag of images. When I say there are more where those came from, you’d better believe me! So many more. . .
Thoughts? Comments? Waves?
xo,
f
I haven’t attempted knitting gloves…I find that all those double pointed needles are a challenge!
You are a great knitter and your grands are fortunate :-)) I am knitting a bias shawl using Japanese Norro yarn which is gorgeous to work with…
I wondered about the bed bugs in Paris, good to hear that you found a room that was free of bugs.
Enjoy your ferry ride and visit.
Author
The dp needles take a bit to get used to, especially for the fingers — I might try another pair, and try using Magic Loop to see if that’s easier.
I love Noro yarn, although I haven’t used it forever. The way the colour story unfolds!!
What a great photo of that praying mantis..such a bright green. Have a lovely mini-break (as our UK friends say… at least in the movies) with the fam on the island.
Author
Isn’t it bright? It really stood out (and surrised me!) on the path.
Mini-break going well, thank you! 😉
Oh, the photo from the cafe in Geneva made me smile too!
(I was late to the party with your last post…I did write that I love your sketches and look forward to seeing more!)
Author
“The Dude” pops up when we least expect him! 😉
Waving from new York. The photo of the mantis brings back a memory of several years ago, My white pony , Starbeam, now gone, seemed to have developed a friendship with such a creature. For a while it hung around her stall. Once when I brought her into the indoor arena to ride I noticed the mantis was on her bridle. We gently removed her and she flew off into the rafters. later she was back. A little bit of magic.
Author
Oh wow! That’s magic indeed! I didn’t realize they flew as well.
I see your granddaughter still has the beautiful hair colour she had as a little girl . I always wanted that shade of hair . The praying mantis is a beauty too . And yes Sue , we do have mini-breaks like mini-skirts & I have a mini-car . So enjoy your mini-break Frances .
Author
She does have beautiful hair — thanks for noticing!
Mini-breaks, mini-skirts, and mini-cars — not necessarily together anymore, but once upon a time, they made a good trio, right?
Waving! And enjoying your photos and words, as always. Still waking up but I see the temperature is -14c and the tree outside my kitchen window tells me there is a brisk wind. Ma dai! It’s still only November! lol
Author
Cavolo! Troppo freddo per me! (been dropping just below freezing here for the last week, and that’ll do!!)
I have never attempted gloves, but I have done some crazy knitting with little double points. Last year, I made a knitted set of Frog and Toad (from the children’s classic books) for my little granddaughters. One of the harder projects I have tackled. (You can see it here: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/LCBraun/frog-and-toad ). I am currently desperately trying to finish a baby blanket for the baby shower that will be happening Saturday, for my son and daughter-in-law’s soon to be born little girl. . . That pattern has been surprisingly challenging; it is very easy to get off in the stitch count somehow, and it really needs to be accurate due to the way it’s designed! It’s this: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2022/10/08/prism-blanket/ But I do love knitting for the granddaughters!
I loved all these photos (though one was missing–the one fifth one.) Thank you for sharing all this!
Author
That Frog and Toad pattern is really cute — almost tempting, but from your description it sounds as if it’s trickier than the little creatures I’ve knit from Cinthia Vallet’s patterns (which are long and detailed and very clear) . . . but finicky in parts also, especially getting started!
I can see that the bias baby blanket would be tricky as well. But it looks gorgeous!
Waving from Virginia. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Waving back. You’re welcome! 😉
I just finished a pair of gloves after decades of avoiding that kind of thing – for all the well known reasons. But I had lost my second-hand bought tattered old leather gloves and badly needed a replacement. I used up odds and ends of sock yarn held double and with slightly bigger needles, so the work was not too fiddly. And with each finger a different colour, I am quite pleased with the result.
Your granddaughter is very lucky, getting her gloves without first having to fight spiders and throwing around a black cat (as far as I have been able to understand the story, which was completely new to me).
Author
I like the sound of those gloves, and I hope you don’t lose them. I have to accept that my granddaughter might do just that with one of hers. . . Crossing my fingers she doesn’t. . .
The book the movie is based on is by Neil Gaiman. I watched it quite a few years ago — definitely some horror!
Congratulations on the completion of the cool gloves! Loving your photos and really enjoy the diverse subjects – so fun! Yes, please show us more. Love all your recent posts about your recent adventure. Thanks so much for taking the time to share☺️
Author
Thanks and you’re very welcome, Roberta! The feedback helps.
Waving!
Beautiful gloves for a beautiful girl!
Dottoressa
Author
Thanks! xo