I've finally been knitting!

Life has been pretty busy recently with DIY projects - filling holes left behind by the electrician, sanding walls ready for decorating, researching & planning a new kitchen and bathroom. I love learning a new skill, so on the whole I’m enjoying renovating the house, but it hasn’t left much bandwidth for actual creative work. I treated myself recently to a Woolly Mammoth Fibre Company Patreon membership, I found myself craving something restful and chill at the end of a long day of DIY. Emma is a natural dye yarn artist from Northern Ireland (apologies to Emma, I stumble over whereabouts in Ireland she was from in this episode!). It’s been the perfect accompaniment to knitting on the sofa in the evening and I’m finally making some headway on some longstanding projects.If you like knitting, sewing, gardening and renovation, then Craft & Thrift is for you!Here are some links and pictures to accompany this episode:My Sophie Shawl for my Mum (assuming the pink isn’t too hot for her!), made using Black Elephant yarnRhubarb & ginger jam - made using this BBC Good Food recipeTrying on a toddler-sized cowl, to make sure it goes over the head. Made using this vintage pattern from EtsyHome made pesto, made with home grown basil. Eaten in front of Woolly Mammoth Fibre Company on YouTubeLearning to fill the holes left behind by the rewireBadger & Daisy are unimpressed with the state of affairs in the house at the momentGrape jelly, made with grapes grown by a family friend. Made using this BBC Good Food recipeI tried to find a photo of my over sized Grandad sweater. You can get an impression in this picture of how this would have been the perfect indoors sweater, but how it was really too big and long to easily wear under coats. I still feel a lot of sadness and shame, that I cut it up and botched it, so I lost this sentimental piece of my Grandad’s wardrobe. It will live on in my Hobbit Robe and I’m planning on knitting Sweater No 18 by My Favourite Things knitwear as a more wearable substitute.Wherever you are in the world, I hope June has treated you well. Happy Solstice and welcome to the second half of the year! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit craftandthrift.substack.com