Fingers to the bone

I've been crocheting hard. First of all I had to finish the shawl for Kath:

Not one of my better photos. But I'm pleased with it.

Then I had a baby blanket to finish for Gareth's friend's little boy. It's not blocked yet, but I'm quite pleased with the colours. The centre is Tunisian entrelac, with plain crochet round the edge. I used Rico baby because they had the right sort of colours. It doesn't look like a traditional baby blanket, but he'll grow into it!

I'm also working on organising my workshops better. Yesterday Linda started her drop-stitch checked blanket, and two new ladies made granny squares and then squares with a 2-layer flower at the centre. They learned all the major stitches, and several useful techniques. The leaves are from a lesson prepared for Linda.

Fig went to the vet for her jabs today. I was quite nervous because the last time I went to the vets was to have Hesta put to sleep. Fortunately Fig has a clean bill of health. The vet's waiting room fascinates her, what with the smells and the noises and other patients. At least she doesn't try to leap up and get the toys, unlike one of the little dogs there. Good thing too - Fig would be able to reach them when she jumps.

At the shop, the winter yarn is starting to come in. Or do I mean autumn? There are two kinds of fluffy yarn, and some great colours. The Reflections yarn, which was new last year, has some new colours, which are really tempting. Reflections is a glittery yarn that knits as DK. Then there's a new Bergere de France 4-ply, with 75% wool. There are some printed shades, and the solid ones co-ordinate perfectly with them. But I'm not sure about the name - Goomy!

One of our customers is making photo props for her photographer husband. We gave her lots of ideas. She wasn't excited by some of our more creative suggestions, but she did go off with pompom yarn to make baby blankets.

So am I having a rest from crochet? You're joking. I'm making another 2 hippos, and there's a cone of Frangipani 5-ply waiting to be used. We're going to Cornwall for a week at the end of the month, so a wrap of some sort would be useful. And then there's Jules's shawlette, in orange Arauncania Botany Lace.

So if I don't blog much, you know why!