This is where I say, it’s been another quiet week, and weeks go, it’s true. There was no driving into ditches. There were no trips to Thurso for orchestra as we’re on summer break until August. There were no handbells on Saturday, as enough of us were attending another event that practice was cancelled.
This event was the mostly-annual ‘Sing & Play’ day in Wick. I first attended about ten years ago, as part of the choir. I remember looking down at the orchestra and thinking it would be fun to play. At the time, I wasn’t able to play an orchestral instrument. Now, while I still can’t play very well, I can participate.
Back then, it was held in St Fergus’ Church, just a stone’s throw away. However, in December 2024 the church was closed and is now up for sale. The venue has moved to another church about a mile and a half away. The organisers are the same – Caithness Music – and was conducted again by the excellent Susie Dingle.
Blade of Grass, from last year.
It was a long, tiring, and enjoyable day. Practice started at 10 AM, and finished close to 5 PM. We didn’t even play the whole work, just the instrumental pieces and selected choruses (4. And the glory of the Lord, 12 For unto us a Child is born, 17 Glory to God, 22 Behold the Lamb of God, 24 Surely, 25 And with His stripes, 26 All we like sheep, 28 He trusted in God, 44 Hallelujah, 53 Worthy is the Lamb) and recitatives (14 There were shepherds, 15 And the angel said unto them, 16 And suddenly, 18 Rejoice Greatly, 47 Behold I tell you a mystery, 48 The trumpet shall sound). But even with great sections left out, it was an enjoyable day with good music, good company, and a small but appreciating audience.
Plum blossom
During the rest of the week, normal stuff has gone on – working on an overdue newsletter, planning to sew but not managing it, going to the museum for my regular shift, dealing with computer problems, again. Around all this, I’ve fit in knitting. The current hope is to finish the hood by the end of the week.
The colourwork pattern of interlocking fleur-de-lis is now complete. The contrast colour is a sandy beige comprised of three strands: two yarns from Colourmart and one bouclé from stash. The loopy bouclé gives it a slightly furry texture which slightly detracts from the colourwork, but makes it feel cozier.
Cheerful daffies
The bottom edging is in progress. The nubs at the bottom of the cape section will open out to oak leaves. They’re made with a double-sided cast on and shaped using stacked increases. The first few rows are fiddly, because you knit the cast on stitches, then pivot 180 degrees to knit the bottom loops of the original cast on. This leaves the needle cord folded in a ‘U’ where you pivot. Only four and a half rows to go, and it’s getting easier.
Oh my! I wish I could have been at the concert to hear your music! I am singing along here!
Love the hood! What a fabulous knitter you are! Best wishes.
There’s a short clip from rehearsal here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4261745904090592