Glorious weekend
What could be better than a sunny Sunday spent in the strawberry patch?
They always taste amazing straight off the plant.
I ate so many I gave myself stomach ache.
Luckily, the boys are made of sterner stuff (or are a little less greedy).
But I think the evidence on Mark's chops may have blown our cover at the pay station. When the man said "You've got a lot of washing to do", I thought he was referring to the fruit, but it seems he may have had an eye on my laundry pile.
The first strawberry picking session of the year seems to signal the official start of Summer for me. I've got some freshly made scones waiting for me downstairs and a bowlful of berries in the fridge to try a go at the Tessa Kiros strawberry jam recipe from 'Apples for Jam'. But before I go and get stuck in, I need a bit of inspiration.
The scrapstore yesterday yielded these cones of chenille - the colours were totally irresistible, but I'm slightly stumped as to what to do with them. Any ideas? I had intended to knit with them, but they have zero elasticity and the swatch I tried didn't look great.
oh strawberry picking - lovely - the start of summer.
the colours of the yarns are lovely-could you weave with them? they might make a lovely sort of wallhanging....
Posted by: driftwood | 08 June 2008 at 19:14
Love strawberry picking- I must take my boys again this year.
You're right about the chenille- horrid to knit with and it snaps quite easily too if I'm not mistaken... you could embroider with it, chunky chain stitch on a cushion?
Posted by: janet clare | 08 June 2008 at 19:33
I agree with driftwood - weaving would be good! You could weave a picture of a field of strawberries using that luscious red and use the green for the foliage, aubergine for the shadows, mushroom shade for the earth and the blues for the sky! There you are, picture sorted!
Posted by: simone | 08 June 2008 at 19:39
Is the chenille cotton? If so, maybe you could do some washcloths or something (do you crochet?), but if they're acrylic or something that doesn't absorb water, then I'm just as stumped as you... I'll let you know what I end up doing with the cones that are sitting in my cupboard right now...
Posted by: Michelle | 08 June 2008 at 20:03
Yummy!
The first thing I thought of for the chenille thread was one of those "loopy" scarves. You can buy the tool here in the UK for about £1.50 and I guess it comes with instructions but you basically just wrap it round and around and then tie it all together somehow (clear?!). I'll have a look for one next time I get into town if you can't find one.
Posted by: Ruth | 08 June 2008 at 20:46
I can almost smell those strawberries from here... Good luck with the jam, I ought to get some made too!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 08 June 2008 at 21:25
cute photos, ali! love the chenille - they would be awesome for gift wrap, if nothing else, but i'm sure you'll come up with a better idea...
Posted by: kirsten | 08 June 2008 at 22:50
Is it too heavy to use for embroidery? Backstitching, perhaps?
Failing that just put it up and look at it lovingly from time to time. I have lots of supplies like that...
Posted by: tracey petersen | 08 June 2008 at 23:08
Hasn't it been a relief to feel warm for a while!.
Crochet? With a big hook ... to make something ...errr...crocheted.
Posted by: Alice C | 08 June 2008 at 23:13
I always think they should way us when we enter the eat all you can, sorry the pick your own strawberry patch!
I love the chenille. I made a velveteen rabbit for my god-daughter with chenille - it was knitted in only 2 pieces and didn't matter too much that there was no elasticity! A stripey blue bunny may be cute!
Posted by: Di | 08 June 2008 at 23:23
Strawberries, how yummy. In terms of the chenille, I would suggest shawls or extra long scarves. If you use larger needle sizes than what is truly needed for the chenille, it would be a bit lacier when knitted. Plus, it would feel very soft and comforting.
Posted by: Sushi Mama | 09 June 2008 at 04:25
I've always wanted to go to one of those pick your own berry farms.
Next summer (six months away as I'm in Melbourne) I'm definitely doing it!
Hope all the stains came out....
Posted by: Stacey | 09 June 2008 at 04:43
Beautiful strawberries - Like Stacey I would love to go to one of those berry farms.
I am clueless I am afraid when it comes to chenille!
Posted by: bluemountainsmary | 09 June 2008 at 07:15
Ali, I am envious of a few things today. Of the sun, which you enjoyed. Of the berries, of which you ate and gathered. Of the summer which is my bestest ever favouritest time of the year. Then I scrolled down, and found the chicken. Yum - recipe appears somewhere? Please share!
Posted by: rhubarb | 09 June 2008 at 07:38
mmm strawberrys... scones... mmmm.... clotted cream? did you forget about that? (don't believe you, you didn't fool me)
Gorgeous colours, you right, but I would have been stumped too. Maybe a stripey cushion cover?
good luck!
Posted by: monica | 09 June 2008 at 09:42
Oooh, strawberry picking time again - bliss! I love activities like this that cost next to nothing and yet are loads of fun - the boy's faces say it all! I can see why that chenille tempted you - the colours are gorgeous but other than a scarf I can't suggest anything - I tried to make a chenille jumper once but it's still sitting half-finished in a bag under the stairs!
Posted by: julie | 09 June 2008 at 09:45
Yummers. Strawberrys are high on my list of favourite things about winter.
I can't wait for a trip to the strawberry farm in a few weeks when we are in Aus.
Posted by: Lisa | 09 June 2008 at 11:46
Well that looks like a very successful day out! I would use great big needles and knit a few scarves or shawls. Beautiful colours Ali!
Posted by: Louise | 09 June 2008 at 11:57
The best place to eat strawberries is in the patch!
I made a cushion cover with chenille. Well one side of one then sewed it to some faux suede. Lovely and soft and the suede helps it keep shape.
Posted by: gillie | 09 June 2008 at 13:06
I can almost taste those strawberries!
Posted by: Lisa | 09 June 2008 at 13:32
I can almost taste those strawberries!
Posted by: Lisa | 09 June 2008 at 13:34
I can almost taste those strawberries!
Posted by: Lisa | 09 June 2008 at 13:34
Mmmmmmmmm ... those strawberries look fantastic. I don't envy you trying to get the juice out of that white t shirt though!
The chenille is wonderful colours - haven't a clue what you could do with it though. I have some yarn upstairs that I bought in a weak moment in Burford (not that that's relevant) ... haven't a clue what to do with it! x
Posted by: Kitty | 09 June 2008 at 18:12
Those chops definately say those strawberries were good!
Posted by: Thimbleina | 09 June 2008 at 19:36
Ok, 'fess up - did you lie on the floor to get the first shot? I have a fabulous mental image of you now sacrificing your dignity for the sake of your devoted readers.
As for the chenille, I'd probably string beads on it and crochet it into little beaded purses for jewels or lingerie (or crochet hooks and beads!)- because that's what I do with most balls of wool I can't find an immediate use for. I have more pouches than I will use in this lifetime ...
Posted by: dottycookie | 09 June 2008 at 20:46
Fabulous strawberry picking shots - I can almost smell them from here!
As for the chenille - I may be with DC on this one and try a bit of crochet. The weaving sounds fun too.
I may have to venture to my Scrapstore tomorrow as it's been a while....
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | 09 June 2008 at 21:27
mmmm strawberries! I just picked some plants up at the garden centre. I'm hoping the slugs don't get to them.
Posted by: Lindy | 10 June 2008 at 00:42
Yummy strawberries....and the Tessa Kiros recipe is delicious, you'll be spooning it from jar to mouth, never mind onto scones!
Posted by: Diana | 10 June 2008 at 21:29
Ooh, Ali -I know what you can do with the chenille!
In issue 7 (june 2008) of "LET'S KNIT" they've got a really funky pattern for a "cool kitty" that i fancied making - until I found out that you need 5 different colours to make it. And then you use the rest of it to make a blanket. Not financially viable for me to buy five different colours of chenille when I don't want to make the blanket, but you could have a good go at it!
And you get the free needles of the right size on the front cover!
As soon as i saw your post, i thought "serendipity or what?"!
(Sorry if I'm waffling on but I was just so excited!)
P.S. those boys (and the strawberries) look positively delicious!
Posted by: Clare in Leeds | 11 June 2008 at 19:13