WIP Wednesday, on a positive note

Since my last post, nothing much has changed in the Tokyo-having-my-brother-in-it situation. He is now with his boss and some others from work, and even though they briefly toyed with the idea of leaving, they haven't and won't if things stay the same.

I know a lot of people have left, and I am glad for them and their loved ones at home (quick wave to Annie Bee's sister, who is about to touch down). I understand that enough is enough and you just want to get home. However this is not something I want for my brother, who has really come into his own during the last few days. Starting out panicky on the phone during the weekend, he gave a sublimely down to earth interview on the Wereldomroep, a Dutch radio station that broadcasts worldwide. He gets that from me, by the way. Ahem. I think we're all clear on one thing: if he were to flee now, it would be very difficult to return. The risk of an earthquake is always there in Tokyo, nothing has changed that, even with the nasty powerstation-thing. No, he's made a decision which wasn't the easiest one, but the best one for him.

If I were a sentimental person I would start a weepy story about how proud I am of my little brother, but I'm not (a sentimental person, proud I very much am). This is WIP Wednesday after all!

Unfortunately, I have nothing to show you!
Peaks Island only needs a few ends tucked in, and the secret knitting is blocked and ready to be written up. It's still a secret, so no pictures yet!

I've started and am about to frog what I knit of a silky scarf, because I'm still not quite liking the cast on yet. It has Estonian flowers and shiny beads though. I have a few bad pictures on my phone, but for some reason they won't find their way unto this blog. It will have to hold... and either way, it's about to be frogged.

So instead, for your delectation and delight, some happy pictures of a happy place.

SCOTLAND, I WILL BE IN YOU ONE DAY!

So now that you've looked at the pretty pictures, tell me, have you donated yet?

Scottish Sundays, suspended

As you may or may not know, my brother lives in Tokyo. He is doing fine, or as much as anyone can be doing under the current circumstances. As far as I know, his friends are safe. There's something to be grateful for. It could've been much different.

You can read about his experiences here if you read Dutch.

Many, many people are not so lucky. They've lost their house, maybe their relatives and friends as well. They need our help.

Please donate what you can miss to the International Red Cross or organisations like Shelterbox who provide basic provisions like tents, cooking gear and items which are specifically needed in the current situation.

When you've done that, stop, breathe and think about what would be the worst thing that could happen if you were in Japan at the time of the quake. Cherish whatever you come up with, because you were lucky enough not to have lost it.

Please give with your heart.

And she asked if I ever got round to finishing anything...

So instead of starting a new feature WorkInProgress Wednesday, or WIP Wednesday, I thought I'd start off with some Finished Objects, or as we like to call them: FO's. (a little bit of jargon there).

As you can see, I have been busy since summer, although possibly not with anything that is going to help with anything but the fast approaching winter cold. I promise you, I'm working on getting better, in more ways than one.

Below, find Marnie Maclean's design Tolovana, in lush Shilasdair luxury 4-ply. An absolute joy

 

 

Next, Echo Flower Shawl, by Jenny Johnson Johnen in my first ever handspun single ply

 

 

Next up, Pea Vines, by Anne Henson in my first handspun 2-ply lace, which is much greener really. Shame I can't get the colours right on this new camera.




A quicky Icing Swirl hat, by Ysolda in a chunky Noro that Ron kindly brought me from Japan



An finally, a hat and mittens for my littlest cousin Alexia, a quick knit and simple design by My Head*



I hope you enjoy this, there is more to come, next week...

* The head on my shoulders which is known to work, sometimes. If you would like to visit, please let us know in advance so we can drag it to attention...

edit: re-loaded some images