As I have mentioned before, over the periods of lockdown (we’re currently in #3, which started before Christmas) we’ve come to know people in our immediate community much better than we did before… after all, they are almost the only people we get to talk to in the flesh. This means that a 45 minute dog walk can take anything up to an hour and a half if it’s a dry day and people are in their gardens or out for a walk themselves.
So, what has this got to do with scraps? Well, all this chatting means we get to know each other better – to find out about each other’s interests and hobbies – and to let each other know if we need something. Which is why, as we were passing the other day, Beryl (who lives on the corner of our road) asked me whether I might have a knitting pattern (knitting, mind you, as she doesn’t crochet) for a hat with both ear flaps and a visor. I told her I’d try to find one on-line (she does not use the internet at all) and came home full of confidence. I settled down and searched and searched, but to no avail. I did find a nice crocheted version, but not one knitting pattern. Mr Snail suggested that I could write one for her, but I just couldn’t face that, so I bought the crochet version, rummaged about in my scraps, located a hook of the correct size and “voila!”
The plain red yarn was left over from making Mr Snail’s first pair of long socks to wear in his wellies, and the scrap of slightly variegated yarn for the edging has been hanging round, unloved, for ages.
So, a quick make, that has been an immediate hit with its recipient… I do love creating something useful from my scraps.
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folks often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynn, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Bekki, Sue L, Sunny, Kjerstin, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2 and Noreen
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
Laurie Graves
/ February 15, 2021What a cheering post! I really enjoyed reading how you are getting to know people in your neighborhood better because of the pandemic. And that hat is adorable! I bet the recipient was thrilled.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021She’s been wearing it regularly.
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Laurie Graves
/ February 15, 2021Such a jaunty hat!
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katechiconi
/ February 15, 2021Beryl is going to be both warm and extremely snazzy. Great post, and so good to hear something cheerful about lockdown.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021I am looking for positives, but it feels quite glum at the moment as we’ve been confined in this latest lockdown for a couple of months now.
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katechiconi
/ February 15, 2021How many people will have to be vaccinated before they lift the lockdown?
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arlingwoman
/ February 15, 2021I love the visor. I’m still wearing the multi-colored hat you sent me…gosh…must have been winter 2016-2017…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021Oh, I’d forgotten about your hat – so glad it’s still in use.
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Nice Piece of Work
/ February 15, 2021Great hat, I bet Beryl is over the moon 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021She seemed to like it – and has added plaits. so she can tie it under her chin.
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nanacathy2
/ February 15, 2021How incredibly kind, and what a nice jazzy hat.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021I like making for people who actually need and will use the item.
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tialys
/ February 15, 2021We’re having the same experience with meeting neighbours on dog walks and ‘over the fence’ garden introductions which is just as well as we were first in 14 days quarantine and then in lockdown since moving here. I have yet to crochet anybody a fetching hat though.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021I’m sure you will be able to support your neighbours in all sorts of ways – hat-based or otherwise.
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mlmcspadden
/ February 15, 2021What a nice thing to make for your neighbor!
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Quimper Hitty
/ February 15, 2021A lovely skein has outfitted friends and relations from head to foot! That’s a great hat, lucky Beryl (and Mr Snail).
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you are right
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onesmallstitch
/ February 15, 2021oh my, what a glamorous hat and a lovely gift. You have probably made a friend forever.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2021She gave me a rosemary plant a few weeks ago, so we are both gaining from our friendship
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Rainbow Junkie
/ February 16, 2021Such a kind gesture. Sounds like a great place to live. Round here the front gardens are so tiny they are hardly ‘gardens’ at all. Often not even a place to keep your wheelie bin and sometimes a door straight onto the street. The only person I know is the man who lives next door and I haven’t seen him in ages.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 20, 2021Oh, that’s sad. I think living in a very rural area makes people appreciate the community. When Mr Snail was living in Reading, he only saw his neighbours when there was a problem (like the water flowing from their flat into his!)… such a shame. I thought the pandemic might have changed attitudes, but clearly not.
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Going Batty in Wales
/ February 16, 2021I agree that meeting neighbours and chatting to them is definitely a bonus of lockdowns! And helping each other out is a great way to build community.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 20, 2021They have been a great source of sanity – just seeing a friendly face feels like a lifeline some days
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Going Batty in Wales
/ February 20, 2021It does! I saw yesterday that the Welsh government hopes to start easing things in March so here’s hoping the numbers continue to fall.
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cedar51
/ February 20, 2021goodness I hadn’t realised you were still in a lockdown or even that it was #3…especially since I’ve been reading at other blogs you’ve in the vaccination line-up. My heart goes out to you but love that you helped someone with a hat made with scraps – who is actually wearing it.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 20, 2021We’ve just heard that there will be at least three more weeks before any restrictions are lifted – it made me so glum
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AJ
/ February 26, 2021That hat is awesome! I’m glad you’re getting to know neighbors- it almost seems like the opposite is happening here:(
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 26, 2021Oh, how sad… I hope adversity would bring us together not drive us apart
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AJ
/ February 28, 2021That would be the nicer option!
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