emily at beSottied.com

Hello, strangers. September has rolled around and I’m ready to crack on with blogging once more.

When I last posted I was finishing my assignments for my second year at university. They’re all submitted and I have a month of peace before it’s time for me to start tripping down to York in the dark/wet/freezing cold once more.

I hope everyone’s had a good summer. I know the weather here in the UK took a turn for the worse the second the kids’ school holidays started. Still, I had sunny picnics and days out with Mr Boyfriend and a trip to Brighton with my friend Laura. That was an adventure to the opposite end of the country! Day one was sunny, days two and three were nippy noodles and a bit drizzly.

The smartest whips amongst you may have realised from the title of this blog post: aforementioned Mr Boyfriend and I broke up at the beginning of this week after eighteen months together.

I won’t go in to too much detail as I realise the internet isn’t really the most appropriate place to do so. Basically, August was a shaky month for us so, as much as I didn’t want us to break up, it didn’t come as a huge shock when we finally did on Monday night. I’m still hurting though, of course - I don’t regret even one minute of the time we spent together and I can’t imagine wanting to be with anyone else. Thankfully, it was an amicable a split as possible, all to do with Mr B not being sure about living together, getting married etc and not wanting to lead me on when he knew that was what I ultimately wanted. As upset as I am, part of me is grateful that he had the nerve to tell me now and not another five years down the line. I feel the need to point out I’m not the type of girl to harp on about getting down the aisle and I never pressured or even mentioned it to him - after all, I’m only 24 to Mr B’s thirtysomething - but I’d be lying if I said I never ever wanted to live with someone or get married at some point in my future.

As cornball as it sounds, I did think the he was ‘The One’ so it’s taking me some time to adjust to being on my own. Unfortunately I like to do mad things like fling myself into cold lakes and the North Sea, and would happily spend a holiday on a beach in the pouring rain in Scotland. Mr B likes doing these things, too, and I don’t imagine there are that many other menfolk in my local vicinity that do! Part of me thinks that I haven’t seen the last of him but I’m not sure if that’s just me being deluded. Feeling pretty atrocious this morning but we all know that time heals all wounds etc etc so I’ll just have to carry on for now.

So, I’m in week two of my two-week holiday from work. Originally I’d been hoping to have a week off to myself, then a lazy holiday away with Mr B in the second week. Obviously that’s not happening any more so I’m having to fill the time. It’s been OK really - I’ve been for lunch with friends and days out with Mutti and on my own. A favourite trip was to the World of James Herriot in the nearby town of Thirsk - I was happy as larry sitting in the old Austin 7 used in the TV adaptation.

I’ve walked and ridden my bike (accidentally down two flights of steps at one point!) and been horse riding of course. I’m trying to organise a surfing lesson and am planning to trip along to a nearby gliding club to find out more about firing myself off a clifftop (in the company of an experienced pilot, of course).

I’ve also caught up on my knitting. I finished my Peyton cardi - apologies for the slightly blurry, dorky photo! - and have made good progress on an experimental Elijah elephant. I bought the pattern (one of Ysolda Teague’s) ages ago but have never given it a go. He’s coming along well, and even though picking up stitches for the limbs has been a bit fiddly it’s good to know that there won’t be any seaming to do at the end.

It’s a bit of a grim grey day here in beSottied land. Mutti and Helen and I are off shopping (for autumn coats and jumpers and tights, boo!) tonight but I’m going to have to fill my time up until then. I was hoping to go for a flying lesson but I’ve just spoken to the instructor on the phone and he’s advised against it because of the rubbishy weather. Still, I have a few more crafty ideas up my sleeve and hopefully at least one of them will come off.

Here’s hoping you’re having a good day, wherever you are.

I’ve knitted something. I’VE KNITTED SOMETHING! Ahahahaha!

I’ve also been running, riding my bike, and hoola-hooping with fervour. The end of my second year at uni is in sight: I’ve done assignments and sat exams, with a couple of essays still to turn in.

I suppose that’s why I haven’t blogged in… When was the last time I posted? I don’t even want to look.

It seems quite a few blogs have gone quiet recently. I suppose once the weather starts to perk up, we spend more time outside (or more time trawling the internet for holidays) and less time sitting indoors, writing about our indoor activities.

But, finally, an update from me. I’m knitting Connie Chang Chinchio’s Peyton. I bought the pattern back in February, and cast on with some Colourmart silk I’ve had stashed for years. I wasn’t keen, so the whole project went into hibernation and I didn’t pick up my needles for months. At the end of May, I decided what I needed was some new yarn. New yarn would inspire me. New yarn would make my needles go clicketty-clack and my heart pitter-pat.

I made a quick pit-stop for yarn before heading to a Knit Happens meeting at the end of May. Peyton calls for four-ply yarn, but I made the foolish error of going to a faceless chain store instead of my LYS, and all they had was double knitting. Actually, that’s not quite true. They did have 4-ply, but only in baby colours. An acrylic baby-pink cardie is not something I need.

I plumped for 8 balls of Cashmere Merino Silk DK by Sublime, in a nice blue called Duck, and I swatched. I’m making the smallest size on 4 mm needles, and it should turn out the same size as the second-smallest size had I knit it in 4-ply. My maths can be a bit shaky, so we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve finished the back and fronts (they are knit as one, with a faux seam, up to the armholes, then joined at the shoulders with a three-needle bind-off) and am working on the first sleeve. I like the pattern, but I’m a bit worried that my spiral lace looks a bit lumpy. Hopefully nothing a bit of blocking won’t fix.

The sleeve has been in semi-hibernation lately as an essay deadline is looming large. However, I’ve suddenly developed a stonking cold and am feeling all sorry for myself, so I’ve pulled it back out of its bag and intend to have a good few hours knitting this weekend. Surely I’m not expected to work on an essay, at the weekend, when I’m ill?? I knew you’d agree with me =)

So, Mr Boyfriend is away in Northumberland having completed a crazy outdoor activity that I won’t even go into. I’ll just say I’m very proud of him and glad he’s still in one piece. One night of camping and masculine bonding, and he’ll be home for me to pester. Hurrah! Laura and I paid a visit to the beauty parlour (hah! Surely there’s a more up-to-date name for it than that?) earlier, before I felt quite so grotty, and I got a nice manicure. Now I’m at home, alone in my pyjamas with a lot of tissues - very glamorous. I’m making another attempt at watching Twilight. Despite my sister’s fondness of the whole saga, I can’t get into the books and only managed 20 minutes of the film the first time I tried to watch it. I think part of my problem is Kristen Stewart and the way she looks like such a misery all of the time. Buck up, love!

So, I will leave you to enjoy your Saturday and I will stay here, switching between Peyton, Twilight, and my new obsession: Neil’s copy of Wild Swim. It’s a beautifully-photographed book that he’s had for a while now. Now that we’ve enjoyed a few warm and sunny days here, however, my interest has increased somewhat and I’m working my way through it choosing which freezing cold body of water we should launch ourselves into first. Happy thoughts! Now, where’s my wetsuit (and the shoehorn I’ll need to get myself into it)..?

Happy Bank Holiday weekend to my fellow Brits. It only feels like five minutes since the long Easter weekend - not that I’m complaining!

Last weekend, after Neil and I got back from our adventure in Northumberland, I got cracking on my Swing Bag:

I don’t know about anyone else, but I find the cutting out the hardest part of sewing. The Swing Bag is reversible, meaning you need to cut out six of everything (apart from the bow/scarf). That means a lot of snip snip snipping - and, when all the pieces are meant to be the same, it’s easy to see quite how inaccurate your snipping skills are!

Still, it all came together pretty well in the end. I chose 3 fabrics from Amy Butler’s ‘Daisy Chain’ collection for Rowan. I used the print ‘Sweet Jasmine’ in the ‘Blush’ colourway for the exterior, the same print in the ‘Aquatic’ colourway for the interior, and the print ‘Dandelion field’ for the scarf/bow, also in the ‘Blush’ colourway. You can see the two main fabrics - exterior and reverse sides - together in the next photo, which is of a half-finished strap:

Though I’m sure more experienced stitchers would have done things a little differently (and probably more swiftly!) I’m quite proud of how the bag has turned out. And I think it’s been good for me to finish something for a change, instead of adding to the various unfinished projects I have languishing in numerous locations around the house.

I hope you’re having a good weekend, wherever you are. Neil has been working some really rubbish hours lately, so I’m home alone. I’m thinking of having a lazy night, possibly browsing future sewing projects… ahem! Well, I did say that if I managed to complete the Swing Bag without throwing the sewing machine out of the window, I’d consider moving on to a skirt. I might do a few more straightforward things first - perhaps a Heather Bailey Hooray for Headbands hairband.

Anyway, calm, calm. Other things to do include bike riding and running (boo!), and popping to see Jill ride in a hunter trial tomorrow. Here’s hoping the weather picks up a little bit. For me, nothing says summer quite like getting to a sunny horse show and locating the ice-cream van as soon as possible! And pitching in with the horses if required, of course…

Wishing you a relaxed Sunday evening. Toodle pip!

Here at Chez beSottied, it’s the end of another lovely sunny day, after a weekend of lovely sunny days. Hopefully it’s been the same where you are.

I’ve had a nice relaxing Monday off work today, following a weekend away in Northumberland with Neil. It was great to get away to one of our favourite places, and the warm weather was the icing on the cake.

Did someone mention cake??

To help celebrate the occasion I channeled my inner Women’s Institute member and, with the help of Helen’s Kitchen Aid mixer, whipped up a lemon meringue cake to take with us. It wasn’t too shabby! (And don’t panic, I sliced it in two and left half at home: no two people should eat that much cake in a weekend.) It’s a basic sponge recipe, with meringue on top of each layer of cake. The filling is a mix of lemon curd, mascarpone cheese and a little bit of icing sugar. It was pretty good, but I think if I make it again I will use smaller tins, and make more meringue!

We spent a few days in the Northumbrian village of Embleton, walking, lazing, and eating very nice food. We’d booked up at The Ship Inn in Low Newton by the Sea weeks ago at the end of March: we wanted to be sure we got a seat!

The pub is very small (I’d say 15 tables at the most) and only serves evening meals between 7 and 8 pm. It’s within throwing distance of the North Sea and a glorious beach. Definitely stop by if you’re ever in the area - I heartily recommend the crab, and Neil seemed very happy with his scallops!

It was nice to leave little Muriel parked outside the cottage for a few days and enjoy walking everywhere. Coming back from the Ship Inn meant a late-night walk along the beach armed with torches, and going for lunch in Craster involved meandering along the coast, past the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle (which some of you may recognise from last year), the cliffs… and the sheep, of course.

Back home - after a stop-off at Kielder Water and a very solid night’s sleep - I finally set to work on the Swing Bag. It’s a reversible bag, made more sturdy with a layer of canvas between the interior and exterior panels. That means a lot of cutting! Anyway, I’ve cut out all of my fabric and have machine-basted the canvas to the reverse of the exterior straps and panels. Fingers crossed, I’ll get to do a lot of tricky wizardry and finish the bag this weekend (Bank Holidaaay!).

Tomorrow is Tuesday, back to work and back to uni. It all seems a bit inconvenient, really, doesn’t it? I think I’ll comfort myself with a little bowl of Frosted Shreddies! Happy Monday everyone.

Uch. One essay down, two to go. I’m a third of the way - or 33.33% - through semester two of year two! Only two more essays and… three more years to go! Go team!

How I dislike assignment season. I handed in one essay on Monday evening and my next isn’t due until 13 May, so I’m planning on having myself a nice little break - perhaps even with some blogging!

As usual with assignment season, a lot of things have gone on the back burner somewhat. Things such as putting on nail polish, taking photos, knitting, and updating beSottied. I managed to get in a fair bit of bike-riding last week but haven’t been out since Sunday. To be honest, my bottom is probably glad of the break. I hadn’t been to Knit Happens in weeks when I went tonight - but luckily the group still welcomed me back!

I haven’t knitted anything since before Easter. I had planned to make a whole host of Julie’s gorgeous little cotton egg cosies, but evidently hadn’t planned very well and I didn’t get them finished in time. I did the exact same thing last year. Perhaps next Easter I will have sorted myself out enough to finish them off: I have all the composite parts at least!

I’m actually thinking of starting to sew a bit over the summer. I bought fabric for an Amy Butler Swing Bag months ago, and now I feel I might be able to make it without exploding through stress (how university affects me so!). I’ve made quite a few Swing Bags before so hopefully it’ll be plain sailing. After that, I’m thinking about making a skirt. I found a McCall’s pattern to make a skirt a lot like the skirts I usually buy, and I thought it would be handy for me to be able to whip up a couple of them in any fabric I so desire. But therein lies the problem: I think it’s so tricky to find nice, contemporary fabrics. Perhaps it’s where I live. I could order Heather Bailey fabrics over the internet (I do love Nicey Jane) and John Lewis in Newcastle stocks a few Amy Butler fabrics, but then I’m looking at £40 for a skirt: I may as well buy one (or three!).

I’m also aware that sewing would probably just become another thing that I don’t get done, like my knitting, and very much like my ironing! I’ll make myself walk before I run, though, and get the Swing Bag done first. If I don’t throw out the sewing machine in a rage doing that, then I may allow myself to buy the McCall’s pattern! Hee hee.

I am still riding the gee-gees, of course. I’m working hard at it in the vain hope I will get a lot better. I noticed at the beginning of the year that I had been schlepping about in the saddle. Now that I have one-to-one lessons with Jill and her gorgeous ponies (I say ponies, but they are all horses. Huge horses. I use steps to get on) I’m really trying to sort myself out a bit. Hence the two days of aching I tend to endure after each lesson. Ouch.