Hats 4 heroes

This year for National Knitting week (15th - 21st October) we have chosen to support Hats 4 Heroes. We need to start knitting now as a consignment of hats will be sent off to the troops at the end of October - to avoid the Christmas post rush and also because it is starting to get chilly.

A great opportunity for using up oddments. Any colour(s) is fine, but please avoid flourescent colours for obvious reasons. We have patterns available at Jolie, but x 3 dk and aran patterns are available to download from http://www.hats4heroes.co.uk

We will be collecting all the hats in for week of 15th October, so get knitting!
* Please note, we now have an extension to end of October.

Please send your hat(s) to Jolie, 80 High Street, Walkern, Herts SG2 7PG

Thank you xx

Knit and wine

Join us for Knit and Wine

Tuesday 25th September 7.30 - 10pm

Sweet treats

We sell knitting yarn and homeware at Jolie - but you would be forgiven for thinking we are sometimes a cake shop......... there is always cake. Sue brought in the most delicious home made salted caramel muffins to Knit and Chat last Thursday - very professional and very, very tasty. Recipe please.

Dany bought some beautiful little cakes at the Walkern 'Over 60's' cake stall.  We took them to Frinton on Sea and had them with tea on the beach.

How about taking the biscuit with a giant custard cream? Now on sale at Costa. Oh dear, we did discover early on that knitting and foodies seem to go together.

Little women - little cardis

Sue and Paula just happened to choose the same baby cardi pattern by Debbie Bliss and brought them in to Knit and Chat on the same day! 

Last days of summer

Linda and Trish had a quick away day to Norfolk. No trip would be complete without a pitstop to Cookies in Salthouse for the freshest crab and samphire (poor man's asparagus).

They had a little paddle - naturally.

And rounded the day off at The Globe (now owned by Adnams) on Upper Green at Wells next the Sea. Perfect beer battered cod and homemade tartare sauce - this was a child's portion can you believe? I should think so too, after the first feast of the day!

A tip from Linda to try - St Germaine artisan elderflower cordial (from Waitrose) makes a superb addition to fizz and other cocktails, or just poured over ice. Lots of fresh floral tones and a hint of grapefruit. Very Parisienne nights. 

We love quirky

 New from Kim Hargreaves, her new book Quirky is now here. 

Going potty

Found in my knitting bag, two pretty vintage crochet pot holders bought in Sweden earlier in the year. Finally did the necessary repairs and hey presto, good as new. 

Back to school

The holidays are over and the new uniform and PE kit is all labelled ready for school tomorrow. We've had a nice summer, albeit a damp one. 

Our week in The Lakes was great and the weather unbelievably kind, only raining on the last day.

We stayed at Wallabarrow, a National Trust farm in the Duddon Valley, run by my friend Chris. 

A beautiful idylllic place, perfect for unwinding. http://www.wallabarrow.co.uk

Feeding the lambs was a joy.

However, feeding Penelope the pig, was like taking your life in your own hands......... I have never met such a ferocious animal.

The boys swam and fished in the River Duddon

and drove a motorboat on Lake Coniston.

Billie had a great time and thought she was a sheep dog for a week.



We went on some beautiful walks

and chilled in the garden, amongst the chickens.

Hmm, but the car decided to break down on the way home.......some lovely RAC chaps rescued us and brought us home. All part of the adventure.