Pen's Nest

I went to Fibre East with friends yesterday, and had a very agreeable time despite the excessive heat. (I felt very sorry for some of the stallholders.) It's basically a market for spinners, knitters and crocheters—not the place to go for regular yarn, but definitely the place for something a bit fancy.

The stall which captured my attention most successfully—OH GOD THE YARN OH MY GOD—was easyknits.co.uk. I was looking - among other things - for something with which to double-knit a scarf for my Boy which will incorporate the words inscribed on the One Ring (in Elvish, natch). Flame colours on one side, black on the other. Well, I found my flame colour. The complementary black is a shade called... Shelob (take a look at their yarn colours!). When I explained what I wanted to the vendor, he got very excited.

We had a very civilised day, taking it sensibly and breaking for coffee and then for a picnic under a handy tree—with four women of sensible age, a picnic is a well-provided affair, with mini pork pies and sausage rolls and carrot sticks and cheese and biscuits and pate and tomatoes and falafel and dips and lashings of ginger beer alcohol-free Mojitos and strawberries and macaroons and cupcakes (which we saved for later). Also, proper plates, glasses and cutlery, napkins, plastic bags for the rubbish, and even wet wipes for afterwards.

And I got something in each of the yarn categories I was seeking, and only one skein that wasn't on the list (Deeply Wicked: Autumn Glow from easyknits, because I am predictable), so I did well. It probably helps that the stall with the *amazing* buttons was not there this time. Still. A good day.


I mentioned my lilies a few days ago. The yellow ones in bed with the ferns and hostas (which have been ravaged by the famous Hertfordshire Trampolining Slugs, alas) were mightily in bud a few days ago...
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And before I forget, some unusual visitors in the back garden.
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