New Lanark, the egg, and the naming of things

April 2, 2013 By Kate in Bruce, Bruce, landscape, Scotland, wallpaper Tags: bruce, Falls of Clyde, landscape, New Lanark, Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, walking, yarn 59 Comments

Hiya! It is I, Bruce. Today I am here to tell you about the place called New Lanark.

Tom and Kate have been to this place many times, and are fond of it for many reasons. Kate particularly likes New Lanark because
1) it is the birthplace of Utopian Socialism and
2) it makes yarn.

As well as being an important World Heritage Site, New Lanark is a place where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Falls of Clyde.

This was definitely the bit that interested me.

Up along the river banks and woods, there is much fun walking to be had. I smelt many interesting smells and went for a swim . . .

. . .I looked after the humans, hurrying them along the paths, and posing obligingly for photographs.

. . . I also heard some sounds that were new to me. For example, these icicles on the opposite bank made an interesting crrrrrrack and crrrrrash sound as they broke and fell into the river.

Then we came to a place called The Hide.

There was much excitement around The Hide because The Egg had just appeared in the nest of a Peregrine. The humans at The Hide had equipment through which Tom and Kate could look and see the Peregrine sitting on The Egg. Kate seemed quite interested in The Egg, but was perhaps even more animated by the colour of the Peregrine’s eyelids, which were apparently a very very very bright yellow. I was not allowed to look through the equipment, but I was very good on my lead and did not snaffle any of the Hide humans’ tasty meat-filled sandwiches while they were being distracted by the excitement of The Egg.

Now, I know and understand many human words — egg and chicken, for example, are two words that make a lot of sense to me. But two words that do not make sense are the words called Monkey Walking, which is what the humans shout at me with glee when I do this on a path with gaps in it:

The naming of things is perhaps the deepest of all human mysteries. For example, why is this crunchy, tasteless, pointless thing called Lichen when there is nothing to like about it at all?

Why is this piece of Scottish hydroelectrical equipment called YORKSHIRE?

Who named this bench BROWN LONG EARED BAT?

And which daft human decided that this fence should be called DONKEY?

Answers on a postcard, please . . .

See you soon, Love Bruce

Kate adds: A shout-out to Laura, the New Lanark ranger, who reads this blog and who we met on our walk today. Thanks so much to Laura and all her colleagues for their hard work maintaining this wonderful landscape for everyone to walk in and enjoy! xx

mr porky’s thought for the day

February 2, 2013 By Kate in Bruce, recovery, stroke, walking 91 Comments

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my stroke. It is not an anniversary I want to ‘keep’ in any way, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t occasion in me a little melancholy and grief.

Bruce and me have been out walking.

Outside things are starting to grow.

And Bruce found something that really interested him.

Really, it is just another, ordinary, February day.

snowballs and other mysteries

January 19, 2013 By Kate in Bruce, Bruce, Edinburgh, landscape Tags: Blackford Hill, bruce, dogs, Edinburgh, Hermitage of Braid, landscape, snow, snowballs, sticks 83 Comments

Hiya! It is I, Bruce. Today there is SNOW. I like SNOW because when it arrives we get up early and go for fun walks in my favourite places.

One of the many mysteries of taking a walk in the SNOW with humans is how very different their priorities are from mine. Kate, for example is endlessly preoccupied with taking pictures of the SNOW. . .

. . . as well as photographing other humans lost property . . .

. . . and muttering in vague rhapsodic fashion about how Edinburgh looks beautiful in the SNOW.

I on the other hand know that SNOW is best for frolicking . . .

. . . and that if you are good in the SNOW, BISKITZ magically appear.

However, one thing that is very odd about SNOW is the thing that is called SNOWBALL.

While other BALLS may be chased after, retrieved, and chewed, SNOWBALLS are mysterious and elusive. They smell of next to nothing, and, when thrown and chased after, they are somehow able to conceal themselves in an extremely vexing fashion!

And worst of all, on the occasions that you manage to catch a SNOWBALL in your mouth, it just makes things cold, and then it disappears! Beware! These SNOWBALLS are not at all like other balls, but are confusing and not to be trusted!

Personally, I find a STICK to be a much more steady and reliable creature, even when it is covered in SNOW.

And one of the best things about this particular SNOWY walk is that it visits a selection of my very favourite sticks. Do you remember that I once told you about the sticks that sing? Well, here are the singing sticks, singing in the SNOW.

The obvious conclusion: sticks beat SNOWBALLS paws down.

Hang on . . . she’s off again. . . . I’d better catch up . . .

See you soon, love Bruce xxx

Snawpaws

January 3, 2013 By Kate in Bruce, design, Edinburgh, Kate Davies, Kate Davies Designs, knitting, photography Tags: Blackford Hill, design, Edinburgh, knitting, pattern, Snawheid, snawpaws 38 Comments

An obligatory tree-hugging photograph whilst wearing an outrageously festive gnome-suit can only mean one thing . . .

Yes! The Snawpaws pattern is now OUT!

If you have a desire to sport hand-wear to match your heid . . .

. . . and fancy adorning your wrists with cute wee pompoms (these ones are a mere 1.5″ in diameter). . .

. . .then this is clearly the design for you!

The pattern includes instructions for both mittens and mitts. . .

. . . and if you have already purchased the Snawheid pattern, then the Snawpaws pattern can be yours for half price (£1.37 as opposed to £2.75).

To take advantage of this promotion, simply enter the code PAWS when prompted to do so at the Ravelry checkout.

We had a lot of fun when we were out taking these photographs — sometimes dressing up is all that is required to induce some festive cheer. I have to say, though, that we were certainly getting a lot of curious glances from onlookers — though I reckon that might have been due as much to the get-up of the photographer as my 100% wool tri-coloured gnome suit. . . .

What do you think?

Snawpaws can now be YOUR PAWS!

Happy knitting xx

A message from Bruce

January 2, 2013 By Kate in Bruce Tags: bruce, new year 101 Comments

Hello! is I, Bruce — greeting you from The House of the Unwell. Unfortunately, it has not been a particular festive festive season in these parts. First, someone called Tonsillitis came to visit Kate. Tonsillitis kept Kate cooped up for days, seemed to make her very miserable, and definitely outstayed its welcome. Tonsillitis was finally ousted by another guest called Penicillin, and things then started to improve. But shortly after this, Tom was rudely assailed by a very unpleasant individual called Appendicitis and had to go to hospital. Now, I have done my best, but it seems that no amount of wagging or barking will make these unwanted guests sling their hooks and go away. I have managed to generate a little festive cheer by repeatedly squeaking my new squeaky Santa Claus, but there is only so much of this one can do before poor St Nick is confiscated and banished to the Shelf of Doom to join Duck and Gingerbread Man and the other squeaky prisoners (fear not, friends! One day I shall free you!). Anyway, as the last days of 2012 were in most respects a bit shite, we are all really looking forward to what the new year brings.

Kate says she will be back very shortly to say something about the mittens she is sporting in the photograph below, and in the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful 2013, filled with all the walks and swims and sticks and wonky chomps you could ever wish for.

Happy New Year to you all!
lots of love from Bruce. x

humans and other creatures

August 8, 2012 By Kate in beasties, Bruce, Bruce, Camping, Islay, Scotland Tags: bruce, Camping, dogs, Islay, Scotland 45 Comments

Hiya! It is I, Bruce. I have just returned from a F-U-N time on the island of Islay. This time was particularly fun as I have spent the past few weeks having no fun at all (going back and forth to the place where they put you on a table and poke at you, and are forced to don the humiliating cone.)

Islay is fun because there is a big beach . . .

. . . new walks with interesting smells . . .

. . . and I get to live in the box with the humans, which I really enjoy.

Still, there are things about being in the box that can be very confusing. Such as why it is OK to be wet some times. . .

. . . and not others.

To my mind, the most annoying characteristic of the human-creature is its inconsistency. For example, why is it that these buddies are good to play with . . .

. . . while these are not?

In fact, it is in relation to other creatures that the human-creature is most unpredictable. For example, one evening on Islay we visited this place. . .

I was told that there were otters about, and that I had to be very good. We sat in the box while Kate and Tom stared out of the window, occasionally muttering. After what seemed like an aeon, there was some excitement and animation, and Kate started reaching for her camera. All that had happened was that this had appeared in the water.

. . . which was, of course, not an otter, but a seal.

Now, if they’d have let me out, and into the water, I could have told them right away that there were seals in that place, and not otters. But as well as being inconsistent, human creatures like to think they know best.

But we dogs know better.

See you soon, love Bruce x

this weekend has mostly involved . . .

May 13, 2012 By Kate in Bruce, cycling, Edinburgh, knitting Tags: bruce, Crammond, cycling, Edinburgh, knitting 45 Comments

Tricycling around Crammond. I’m getting quite adept on the trike now, but zipping about is still exciting. Zoom!

Knitting a gigantic swatch. It is now over two feet long and counting. At some point I will settle on something – but in the meantime, I’m finding garter stitch very addictive.

Look! Bruce can fly!

Stuc a’Chroin

May 6, 2012 By Kate in Bruce, Camping, running, Scotland Tags: Camping, Highlands, hill race, hill running, running, Scotland, Stuc a'Chroin 48 Comments

We’ve spent the weekend in the Highlands, where Tom has been running a race – the Stuc a’Chroin 5000

While he was away up the hill, Bruce and I went for a walk. . .

We were lucky with the weather (later we saw hail and snow!)

Bruce was very suspicious of this wee suspension bridge and teetered over, bandy-legged.

After 13.5 miles, 5000 feet of ascent, 2 hours and 51 minutes, the wanderer returned . . .

The running vest I knitted him 5 years ago (sheesh!) is still holding up to its job remarkably well.

It is a good, warm vest for a chilly mountain top. The yarn I used was Rowan “Calmer”, for those who like to know these things.

We went out for a nice meal to celebrate . . .

. . . and camped in one of our favourite spots.

Tom’s next race is on Jura – in just a few weeks time, we’ll be off to the islands . . .

Hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend too!

Bláithín

May 3, 2012 By Kate in Bruce, Bruce, color, colour, cycling, design, fairisle, Kate Davies, Kate Davies Designs, knitting, steeks, stroke Tags: Bláithín, cardigan, design, Donegal tweed, Donegal Yarns, facing, Kate Davies, Kate Davies designs, knitting, knitting pattern, pattern, Soft Donegal, steek sandwich, steeking, steeks, yoke 122 Comments

Ok, before I begin, allow me a moment: I think that this is probably the best photograph I have seen of myself in ages. I like it because I look comfortable and physically capable — concepts which, a couple of years ago seemed totally unimaginable. Few people seem to talk about just how bloody uncomfortable it is living in a body that has had a stroke. I am happy to say that this discomfort abates somewhat as time goes on . . . Anyway, for a multitude of reasons, I would heartily recommend a trike to anyone with neurological weakness or balance problems. I love it as you can see . . .

Now I have got that shot of me, wildly gurning, out of the way, I can tell you about the cardigan.

It uses the same motifs as the Peerie Flooers designs, and its name is Bláithín, which means, in Irish “little flower.”

It is knit Donegal yarns, “Soft Donegal” – a squooshy, nubbly, and richly saturated tweed.

It is knit in one piece, and then steeked up the centre. Design features include inset pockets, steek sandwich facings, and i-cord buttonholes.

If you look carefully at the centre right of the photograph above, you’ll see a buttonhole. You’ll also note that there is i-cord around the cuffs and pocket tops. Yes, I do like my i-cord . . .

The i-cord edging is added after all the knitting is complete; it is worked all in one piece, all the way around the cardigan. Here is a shot of the edging worked along the “steek sandwich” buttonband. . .

Here is the edging on the inside of the cardigan, so that you can see the sandwich from the reverse, together with a buttonhole . . .

. . .and here is a buttonhole in action.

One of my aims with this design was for it to be as accessible as possible not only to those knitters who were cautious about steeking, but those who were afraid of colourwork. The yoke design is very simple.

It is also easily-customisable for the more adventurous knitter who would prefer to insert their own yoke design. The pattern repeats are short, and the decreases are worked over a number of plain rows.

Bláithín comes in nine sizes, covering a 30 to a 50 inch bust. The cardigan has a gentle A-line shape and is designed to be worn with 1-2 inches of positive ease. It is soft, warm, and very easy to wear.

Ideal for the novice tricyclist!

The Bláithín pattern is now available, and you’ll find it here or here!

I’ve also designed a wee Bláithín, in babies and girl’s sizes. This pattern will be available very shortly.

That’s all for now – I’m off up North today to look at some wool. See you later!

interruption

August 4, 2011 By Kate in Bruce Tags: ill, update 66 Comments

Apologies if you have been trying to contact me over the past few days – I’ve not been keeping up with email because I’ve been feeling ropey, and it turns out that I have a quinsy. As I am used to feeling ropey, and have never had any sort of tonsillitis before, I had no idea that this was what was going on. Anyway, it’s back to bed with me.

PS this post is about me – Kate – not Bruce.

Kate Davies Designs

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