We have mostly been staying safe indoors since the year began, although we did manage to walk down into our local town, Aberaeron, for lunch at The Harbourmaster to celebrate my birthday on Tuesday. Other than that the weather has been pretty bad, and on Friday storm surges combined with naturally high tides wrecked havoc just north of us in Aberystwth and filled the harbour here in Aberaeron to the brim. The weather has subsequently improved, but only to the point of raining about 50% of the time. I just wish it would brighten up and allow us to go for some of those lovely frosty walks that I like so much. For us, climate change seems to be manifesting itself in the form of wind and rain (not surprising as it is linked to extra energy in the atmosphere).
Hurrah for British Wool!
The result is that we are spending lots of time indoors. This means that I have completed knitting the latest socks for barter – these are to be exchanged for a leather strap and base for a bag that I’m going to felt from the wool from my last bartering activity. And now I’m ready to start on my next piece of work for barter: four snail squares in exchange for some seeds. Originally, I was going to use wool oddments, but then I was placing an order for some British wool from Blacker Yarns and saw that they had some colours available that would look really lovely in the spiral design, so those are what I am going to use… photographed here with a book that Mr Snail-of-happiness got me for my birthday, written by the proprietor of Blacker Yarns.
In addition, there has been quite a bit of activity with the Masterpiece blanket, and I have added photographs of quite a few squares made in the last week or so. It’s going to be a really diverse design, even with the squares that I have made, let alone all the ones coming from other people. I will put a border around every square eventually, probably in black, so that each one is ‘framed’ and the blanket has some consistency throughout. Since the forecast indicates rainy weather for some days to come, I think I’m going to have plenty more time for such activities!
The Snail of Happiness 
katechiconi
/ January 5, 2014You have to love bartering. It’s such a civilised way of everyone getting what they want and need. The wool looks wonderful! It’s so hot here. 36C today, and not the smallest hint of a front building in the Coral Sea, which would mean a bit of weather and some very badly needed rain. It’s just baking hot, very dry and fortunately not too humid. Hard to sleep when it barely drops below 30C at night…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 5, 2014Can I come and live with you? I’d cope with not sleeping for a bit of heat!
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katechiconi
/ January 5, 2014The spare room’s a bit weeny, but if you do ever take it into your head to visit Australia, be sure to stop in Mackay! There’s a comfy chair in my sewing room for visitors which would be perfect for knitting/crocheting….
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davidprosser
/ January 5, 2014I’m ignoring Katechiconi’s comment since she’s bragging that the temperature drops there to where ours gets to in Summer. Can you see the jealousy.
It’s raining here again today though not too fiercely and it seems the train lines are open again so the flooding must be receding..
With what you have an what you’re getting, the Masterpiece blanket will look stunning especially with each one bordered in black. I bet you’ll have more than enough for one.I’m looking forward to the end result.
Happy Belated Birthday, A Very Happy New Year.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 5, 2014At least we haven’t been washed away! At least it can only get better
xxx
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nerdinthebrain
/ January 5, 2014Oh, I love the idea of bartering! Do you use a site for it or just barter with the people you know? Happy Birthday (a bit late)! 😀 I hope you get your bright, frosty walks soon!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 5, 2014I do it just with people I know so far… but I’m going to be a bit more organised this year, creating lists of what I can offer and what I need/want. Most of my bartering so far has been the result of either communication here or on Facebook and seems to have happened quite naturally. I’m always open to requests!
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The Twisted Yarn
/ January 5, 2014Yikes, don’t get washed away in the storms. Your masterpiece is going to be absolutely stunning. I’ve just had a nosey at your pictures of squares completed – I love the variety.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 5, 2014I’m enjoying experimenting… and I can’t wait so see what other people come up with!
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andelieya 安德洌雅 (official)
/ January 6, 2014Happy birthday wishes!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 6, 2014Thank you! I had a lovely day – the only sunny one of the week.
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