Wool and Root Workings

Seven or eight ladies gathered at Loweswater hall for an afternoon of crafting. We all brought extra clothing as a precaution but the heating was on and fuelled with tea and cake everybody's needles were clicking. It is always fascinating to see what others are making. Jumpers with difficult stiches, a crotchet throw in pastel octagons, a turquoise Kingfisher embroidery, a cross-stitch Valentine's Day card, red welly socks for darning in bright yellow. All that creativity, concentration and gentle conversation built a sort of room within the room, a citadel of strength and positivity, apart and yet connected to the world outside. I took my peg-loom and started a wall hanging/rug for a friend's 70th Birthday in Herdwick fleece. I'm not sure I've left enough time to finish it but at least it got off to a good start. 

Afterwards, to stretch and breathe again, I took a path around the lake. Surely, this tree had been doing its own bit of handicraft, weaving its roots so beautifully and so productively .