It is a sprawling mixture of all sorts curios spread around rambling grounds with everything from old bikes and typewriters to fairground rides and crumbling angel statues.  All of which you can buy and take home for your garden.  There are also plant of course, and old doors, plant pots, archways, pillars, benches…. I could go on!

But this pales into insignificance compared to one thing: The Tea Rooms.   And with the tea there was knitting, yes really!!  I’ll get to that in a minute.

The tea room is mainly outdoors in little huts and gazebos.  We were lucky enough to get one of the huts which was really cosy and had funny little tree trunk type seats!

As we were deciding what to choose from the menu there were all manner of huge plates and bowls of food passing by.  I expected these were to share and didn’t for a minute think one of these would be put in front of me. 

I ordered Willowpool Dream Delight – cream, strawberries, creme Anglaise and crushed meringue.  Wow it was massive!  I like my grub but there was no way I could have managed to eat all of it and even Caveman couldn’t finish it after his own cake.

They also used the most charming mismatched china with lovely teapots and tea cups.  I feel inspired to start a new collection!

Now, I’m sure you’ll be wondering where knitting comes into all this.  Well, I’d been sitting at the table for about 5 minutes before I even noticed the cute little knitted sugar bowl cover!!!  So it was only a little bit of knitting amongst all the intrigue at Willowpool, but even the tiniest piece of knitting is still knitting!

Anyway, I wanted to share the pattern I developed for the scarf.  Caveman is a massive fan of Dr Who and Tom Baker was his favourite.  I did lots and lots of research, looking at pictures, colours, film etc and developed this pattern.  I used Sirdar Country Style yarn which I have found in the past to be a very standard double knit and stable and easy to knit with, using 4mm needles.  I also have a very standard and even tension, which does help.

Here are the colours and rows you will need to knit.  (Note that the inch / cm measurements vary slightly from each other just because of rounding)

Changing colour every few rows became a bit of a pain at times so I’d recommend you sew in ends as you go along.  Needless to say I didn’t!!

When all the knitting is done make tassels in each shade to finish about 6inches long each.

I have tried to find the ball bands from the yarn I used to give details of shades but just can’t track them down, although I am sure I kept them.  If they turn up I will blog details.  I’ve given the rough type of colour above and the pictures may help.

My final tip: if you are knitting this in secret for your beloved find a good excuse for the amount of time you will need to spend at home knitting.  They may become suspicious if you say you spent the evening knitting and have nothing to show for it until you present them with the fruits of your labour.

You are so demanding; long needles, a big bag to carry you in, patterns where I need to constantly write down where I’m up to.  It’s all just too much.  I need more freedom and crochet gives me it with one little needle it even fits in my pocket and is so flexible and forgiving.

There may be times when you tempt me back, but it will only be a fling.  Don’t beg or plead or try to win me back.  I may come willingly, I may even let you and crochet get together, wouldn’t that be fun.

Don’t be too sad, move on.  It was fun while it lasted.

‘Lifeline

Having given up on some stitch patterns in the past, or even resorted to sending them to my mum to complete, I think this is the best knitting tip I’ve heard.  I’m about to start knitting a Debbie Bliss waistcoat which is all cable so I will use this technique until I get into the swing of it.

Since then I have started a series of 6 sessions of counselling and in the first yesterday we spoke about the little things that I like to do that I could achieve on a day to day basis to start working back towards what is ‘normal’ for me, particularly the things which I have not felt up to doing recently.  Of course knitting came up and had to be on the list.  I do find it rather strange to have an action plan / workbook which includes knitting, walking and keeping in touch with friends, but I guess it’s all steps along a path. 

So if my action plan says I should knit daily, then knit I will!