Moochka: August 2013

The other day I have been demonstrating certain knitting technique to some lovely ladies, when all of a sudden a woman came up and unceremoniously grabbed my needles out of my hands and declared that 'I will show you how to knit properly!' Then proceeded to 'teach' me how to knit the continental (yarn on the left) way! Don't get me wrong I have a deep appreciation for continental knitting after all that's how my Mum and Grandma used to knit, but I'm a thrower (yarn on the right)!! But what does it matter, there's no right or wrong way of knitting, and as long as you are happy with the finished project who cares how you hold your needles and yarn, and anyway it’s very rude to grab someone’s needles out of their hands…that is just asking for a slap!

I never understood this war between continental and English method knitters. Surely the way we knit is completely irrelevant, shouldn’t we just be happy to have the opportunity to meet like-minded people who share our love for craft?

The same goes with the big no-nos about finishing your knitted garment. You must never machine sew your pieces together…..why not?! Did I ever have a garment with all pieces knitted and really wanted to wear it that day, but no time to hand sew it together? Did I use sewing machine? Yes and yes!! Will I do it again……Hell Yes!! In fact my ‘Cool’ sweater from Kim Hargreaves’s ‘Spirit’ book is sew together on a machine and it looks very nice, if I may say so myself.

So my lovelies hold your needles and yarn proudly and knit on…whichever way you choose!!

Well that’s the end of my rant….I do feel a lot better.

Thank you for reading.

Anna xx

Last week Dave and I went to the London ZOO lates, it's an event which ZSL runs every Friday during June and July, it starts at 6pm and finishes at 10pm, strictly adults only! You get a chance to see the animals being fed, sample lovely food from the food market, have a drink, watch the cabaret and party at the silent disco! It is an absolute HOOT!!

Not many animals were being fed when we went as it was far too hot, apart from penguins, who throw a little show, well not a show as such ....just swimming around chasing fish, but it was most entertaining, especially the penguins ring leader Ricky who even has his on Facebook page.

Ricky and his gang, he's the one with the yellow feathers on his head.

It was really special to observe all the animals as they were getting ready to sleep, apart from the little naughty Mangabey's monkeys who are in an open enclosure and are allowed to interact with people, and are very interested in bags and shoes, one even undid my shoelace.

Naughty little monkey called Norman :)

It's really lovely to see how the London Zoo has changed for the better....so much better! I remember I went few years ago and it was heartbreaking to see all those animals so sad and lifeless, could have been just my imagination, but their sadness really stayed with me, especially that of penguins, who were in this totally inappropriate, tiny enclosure, it was a real joy to see them happy in their new huge pool. We were just sorry we didn't have enough time to see all the animals as unfortunately 4 hours just isn't enough!!

Penguin's old pool, designed by Berthold Lubetkin, architecturally interesting but not very useful for penguins.

The Auntie Myra's cabaret was great surprise! Well not every day you get to see three men stripping! Auntie Myra herself was just fabulous! As you would accept: catty, sharp and wonderfully bitchy .

Auntie Myra

Oh young man......

There was just so much to see, really fantastic evening! I thoughtfully recommend it! I just was very surprised and disappointed how some people can get ridiculously drunk! You are not allowed to take a drink into the zoo but alcohol is sold inside, and some just take it too far, why would you ruin such a great night not only for yourself but everyone else! But still; their loss :)