Skies, gifts, protest
Approximately-weekly news #73
It’s been a busy couple of weeks - as can happen, if you are a person who will blithely agree to do anything and everything ‘before the end of the month’ without first checking where in the month we are. (It’s very rarely the first.*)
Still! I’ve been knocking doors out of windows**, work-wise, and have had time to look at the sky every now and again. So all’s good.
Gift-giving is on many minds at the moment, and I have had an idea which might contribute positively to that. (Or it might be weird. I’m not sure.)
Essentially: I knit a lot of shawls, usually because I really like the pattern or I get a bit over-excited at a yarn festival; but I don’t always wear them. Not because there is anything wrong with them; just because I have other shawls that are my go-tos. (And, a bit like jeans, you don’t really know whether a shawl is for you until you’ve worn them for a day.)
So - I have three shawls that I knitted and have worn maybe once. And*** I’d like to gift-wrap them and send them to people who might love them and wear them. These shawls could be a gift for you, or on your behalf. There is no criterion except that you/your giftee will use it. If you’d like one/like me to send one on your behalf, just email me and let me know where you’d like it to go. If more than one person requests them I’ll choose at random.
Here are the shawls…
Blue shades fading to a sparkling grey
Navy-cream patterns****
Teal-charcoal brick pattern
And talking of knitting, I finished the cowls I designed as part of a knitter-in-residence programme, which has been really interesting and well-supported. (A favourite thing: being introduced to the work of Claudy Jongstra, which is amazing.) The patterns will be available in the New Year.
Two observations about this process. 1. I’m really glad I did it. 2. I will not be swerving into a knitwear design career.
I have a new favourite cookery book, which is this one, recommended to my by Helen at Forum Books:
So far I’ve made the oat soda bread (delicious) the nutmeg biscuits (not yet decorated, but very tasty naked), the golden Christmas cake (untasted but smells fantastic), chocolate mousse (tasty and freezes well in small pots), and the gnocchi with watercress pesto and ricotta, which has gone straight to the top of my Favourite Pasta Things chart.*****
Because this is a winter-based book, I’m going to say treat yourself now, to get full value out of it. You can find it here, your local indie will order it for you, and you can get it in the usual online places. If you buy it, please tell me what you make!
Since my last newsletter, I went to bear witness in Newcastle as police arrested peaceful protestors objecting to the proscription of Palestine Action. (You can read more about the campaign here.)
It was a tough watch. This woman spoke my heart.
Next week, I’m off to my beloved Garsdale Retreat to writewritewrite and eateateat. (The food at Garsdale is legendary, and rightly so.) I am a little in love with the characters in the new book, which is not to say I won’t be making their lives miserable in due course. (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: writers are AWFUL.) So no newsletter next week, and I’ll look in the week after with my last newsletter of the year.
Before I go, three reminders:
if you would like me to send signed copies of my books to anyone as gifts, I’m happy to do so. Please email me before Friday 12th December to arrange. I can also send gift vouchers for workshop places or one-off mentoring.
bookings for writing services (here) go absolutely crazy in January, so please get in touch before then if you think you might be interested in us working together early in 2026. Currently I have one slot to start mentoring in January, and one slot for a manuscript assessment in January, and one of each for February. After that it’s likely to be April before I can take on any new work. (If we’ve been in touch already, don’t worry, you’re on the list and I’m holding a place for you.)
If you think you might want to take on online writing course with me next year, please book soon. Details and dates are here. Some bursary places are available.
And before I go, a final reminder at this often-tricky time of year: you are doing just fine. All will be well.
Love,
Stephanie x
*Well, maybe about once out of thirty-ish, now I come to think of it.
**May be a northern expression, not sure
***This is the bit that I think might be weird
****knitted mostly while watching Tiger King
*****Full disclosure: I did not make the gnocchi, though there are instructions on how to do so in the book.