It has been one of those weeks. Our van was involved in an accident and had to be repaired; our roof guttering collapsed under the unusual weight of four feet of snow and had to be replaced, and some long-awaited deliveries have still not turned up due to weather-related delays.
But it has been a good week too.
The West Highland Way book is now at the proof-preparation stage, which is always very exciting. I’m so very pleased with the collection of designs, and indeed feel proud of the whole project. Would you like to see Tom’s latest video from Rannoch Moor? Here it is.
The West Highland Way book will be published in a few weeks time, and there’s still time to join the club, if you can’t wait till then (you’ll receive all patterns and essays and a copy of the book shipped to you anywhere in the world as soon as it is published).
Last week I was really honoured to be included in the Federation of Small Business’ 100 Women campaign
for International Women’s Day . Only 21% of SMEs (small and medium businesses) in Scotland are run by women. I’m proud to be one of them, but I’m with the FSB in wanting that figure to rise! People occasionally ask me why I’m a member of the FSB and I always say that it is much the same thing as being in a trade union – something that really doesn’t exist for individual small business owners in niche creative fields like mine – who are very often women, and who can often feel isolated or unsupported. From being a sole trader with a fledgling microbusiness, to the well-established three person (plus one dog) creative enterprise that we are now, I have always been able to turn to the FSB for advice and support on a whole range of matters, legal, personal and financial. Through the FSB I have been able to have meaningful conversations with politicians and policy makers, and local contacts I’ve made through the organisation have become my suppliers, my customers and my friends. Some of the issues the FSB campaigns on may not be directly relevant to me or KDD, and sometimes there’s a difference of opinion between my take on an issue and theirs, but the experience of such differences is completely routine among members of political parties – or indeed, trade unions – and I’m totally comfortable with that. I’ve found that simply being a member of the FSB has made me usefully attentive to the current political and economic climate (essential at the moment) as well as offering an important source of clear information about forthcoming likely changes to which businesses like mine must adapt. So I was really proud to be part of the 100 Women campaign and particularly so when my MSP, Bruce Crawford, mentioned KDD in the context of that campaign in a motion in the Scottish Parliament. Thank you, Bruce, and thank you FSB!
On Saturday I gave a talk about my forthcoming book, Handywoman at a TEDX event organised by Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. It was a great day, with talks on many fascinating topics including developing specialist scientific signs in British Sign Language and the ethical implications of creating AI with the capacity for empathy / suffering. I really enjoyed the whole event (and will let you know when the talks are available on YouTube). I also want to say a big thank you to the lovely knitters who came along to hear me: I definitely felt I was among friends when I saw handknits and working needles in the audience! I will be talking more about Handywoman this weekend at Edinburgh Yarn Fest (EYF), and later in the spring at Woollinn, in Dublin. If you are coming to EYF, I look forward to seeing you there. If you aren’t attending, and have not already done so, why not sign up for our shop newsletter and keep your eyes peeled for an EYF-related promotion we will be running later this week?
As well as being Mother’s Day, the week closed with my Dad’s birthday, and we joined my sister, Helen, for a lovely meal, to celebrate my parents (about whom you’ll hear more if you come along to my EYF talks this weekend!)
My dad just turned 81, but is still happy to scale a 5 bar gate to lark around with us in a mirrored cabin by a loch.
Happy birthday, Dad!
PS – because I know you’ll ask – yes, I knitted my Dad’s hat – from a lovely skein handspun in Islay by talented Susan Campbell.
I am 72 and have been bi-polar all my adult life. I spent money I didn’t have, had sex when I shouldn’t with men I didn’t know and the manic was awful. As my kids have told me “the bitch would appear”. About 4 years ago I found a Shrink that knew her stuff and put me on some great meds. I hate taking pills but these I will take willingly for the rest of my life as long as they control my crazy. I know the depression you speak of. It has become worse since my husband passed this past October. But my knitting has been my sanity. Thank you for opening up this subject. People do not understand the depression you and I have. They think of it as what they have but they aren’t even close. Take care, know that you are not alone, there are many of us in the same boat, just different levels. I hate to push pills but there is a combo out there that will bring you the peace of mind that mine bring me. Take care and keep writing and posting. I look forward to each of your postings. Linda
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The cover for Handywoman is incredible. I love it.
Is there a chance any of your recent talks will be posted online?
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happy birthday to your dad and my mom is doing the same thing (building a business from scratch) Its good to know that their is many women out there doing the same
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Many happy returns to Kate’s Dad! Very much looking forward to reading Handywoman.
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Happy Birthday, Kate’s dad. My daughter’s have march birthdays. Jennifer on 12 March and Marisa on 17 March. A fabulous month .
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I am absolutely loving the WHW club, the patterns are fabulous, and I love your essays on a Friday with a history of happenings and things all related. I am not Scottish, but my husband was born in Glasgow, and I do feel an affinity with all things scottish. I absolutely cannot wait to have the book, to be able to look at Tom’s glorious photos over and over again. I am totally sure that my husband will love reading this book too.
We are coming up to Edinburgh tomorrow, to attend the festival on Saturday. Hubby isn’t in to knitting or yarny things, so I was totally surprised when he agreed to come. I look forward to seeing you, and all my other knitting heroines (and heroes), I am expecting to be totally overwhelmed, haha!
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A very Happy Birthday to your Dad!
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Awww- Happy Birthday to your Dad!!
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Happy Birthday Dad!! and congratulations to you to be included in this prestigious group!! Enjoy EYF and stay calm :)
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Happy birthday to your dad, and really looking forward to seeing you at Woollinn!!
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Kate! I so enjoy your posts and, of course, your amazing, beautiful,
exciting knitting designs!!! Have been wearing my Carbeth non stop!!
A most happy birthday to your Dad!
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Beautiful as always. Could you share the music in Tom’s video?
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Lovely memories for you Kate and your sister Helen. Treasure your time with your parents.
Sue x
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It’s true, I’m looking forward to a link to your talk on YouTube–and to Handywoman. Also enjoying the West Highland Way patterns.
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Lovely ‘photosKate as always. Congratulations to your very happy looking Dad. I love your snood and would like to make one but couldn’t find the pattern anywhere on your site
Help please. Thank you for sharing your super designs with us.
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How do you manage to design AND knit such beautiful items and still have time to ‘lark about’ as you say. Hats off to you and your family.
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Starting my Monday morning by enjoying your post. I can’t think of a better way to start my week. Thank you for sharing the love and beauty!
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I see the family resemblance! My father will be 78 this year and is still logging multiple miles on his bike each week in addition to other activities; it’s great to see your father at 80! Huzzah!
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I am so looking forward to your book. And that cover is AMAZING.
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Happy Birthday to your dad, Kate and I love the cover of your new book!
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Thank you for the calming video and inspiration.
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Wonderful recorded memories with your family.
Many happy returns Kate’s Dad 🎂🎁🎈🎉🍺
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Thank you so much for posting about the FSB. I’m preparing to start a small business, supported by a local enterprise scheme for women, and I didn’t know about the FSB yet. More sources of support can only be a good thing!
I’m particularly looking forward to your talk and book, because my business is driven by needing an income that works with my disability, which my previous career in academia didn’t. I’m keen to hear how you’ve navigated this path and made the choices you did, because it feels like my own path is parallel to yours in so many ways.
Long live KDD! (And happy birthday, Mr Kate’s Dad!)
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So looking forward to Handywoman . I love it when I see one of your messages in my inbox – I know I am about to feel cheered and inspired. I hope things are returning to normal a bit more up there now.
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Happy Birthday Dad! What an amazing daughter you have.
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Wonderful post as always Kate. A big thank you for your inspiring talk on Saturday (and indeed for making me aware of its happening!) I know many in the audience had come to hear your talk in particular and your reflections on recovery, rehabilitation and limitation driving your phenomenal creativity made the trip so worthwhile (as well as other fascinating talks from speakers there) Thank you. Enjoy EYF (I’ll miss it this year as I’m off to Iona on a papercraft/ bookbinding course)
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Happy birthday Mr Davies! X
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I love your posts! They make me realise that the world is full of good things and people after all! My Monday morning is now much happier.
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Happy Birthday Dad Davies!
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Happy birthday to your dad, glad you had a lovely family weekend!
Really looking forward to hearing you speak at EYF. :)
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Lovely ‘photos Kate, Congratulations to your Dad please tell me where I can find the pattern for the snood you are wearing as I would like to make it for my daughter. Thank you for sharing your lovely designs with us. Jeanne
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Happy Birthday Dad!
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