Mantra

Fair Isle Rapids (3)

Yes, I did finish the Fair Isle Rapids scarf that I started before Christmas, though it did sit unworked in the corner for a while when the 'flu chased my concentration away.  I loved this project, even though it took me a couple of goes to get the hang of the stranding, and as soon as I got used to the pattern, it worked up very quickly.

Here's the finished scarf being blocked:

This is where you really see how clever the pattern is; it does look like a river and its rapids, and I'm still in awe of its designer, Kieran Foley.

Some quality checking:

Here's the finished scarf, all ready to go to its new home:

And then I made another one!

Just looking

Wherever I go, I try to keep my eyes open for little details that may spark some inspiration when I start creating something new.

Sometimes, it's an unusual or unexpected colour scheme:

 

Sometimes, it's a pattern:

 

Sometimes, it's a fragrance or a flavour:

More often than not, however, it's heart-stopping, breath-taking, luminous natural beauty.

Checking in

I haven't written on the blog for a long time, and if you're still patiently waiting for a craft update from the wilds of the west, I promise to deliver very soon.  Whilst I may have been quiet, I haven't been idle.  I've been spinning with intent, determined to try as many different fibre types as possible, and have been challenging myself with complicated, fiddly and - at times - frustrating knitting, all in the name of progress.  80 projects completed in a year?  I think I'm getting there. 

So this is just a quick hello; a tentative peek above the parapet to see whether there really is anyone still out there.