tiny happy

Keira turned 11 the other day and when I asked her what she'd like for her birthday, she said 'a kid's bus pass with a string attached so it can go around my neck, and a pair of socks knitted by you.'

Despite this reasonable-sounding request, I didn't manage to get the socks done in time, but they are finished now and she seems pretty pleased with them. She did however receive the bus pass, as well as books, clothes, a party with her friends and some other things that make an 11 year old happy.

The socks were fun to knit, although they took forever because I mistakenly used a needle that was 2 sizes too small. On the other hand, they should be stronger and warmer for this 11 year old's feet, which are always freezing cold in winter. The yarn is Rowan 'fine art' sock in the colourway Chiff-Chaff (colours are smoky greys, and purples.) The pattern is just a basic sock pattern I've had typed on a piece of paper for years – I think it's this one from Ashford.

I took the photo of the gorse bushes adorned with spider nests ('spider nurseries' we used to call them as kids) a few Marches ago – to me it is such an autumnal image, and is accompanied by a crisp sweet smell and maybe a tinge of woodsmoke.

When Keira was born there were marigolds, blackberries and monarch butterflies in the garden.