Tom’s photograph of Otter Ferry, from his Light by the Sea exhibition.
Good morning! This has felt like quite a busy week: mostly, I’ve been working hard developing a new design. There’s also been some research, some writing, and some knitting for my collaboration with Pilar, my friend, in Mexico City, and Applied Arts Scotland – a really enjoyable project that I’ll say more about in coming days. Then there are broader business matters: with a couple of books in the pipeline, we’ve been considering the practicalities and possibilities of our planned releases later in the year. The current situation means there are lots of different pressures, different adaptations to be made, and quite a bit of necessarily rapid decision making (don’t worry, though, we are absolutely fine). Tom’s been completing work on his People Make Glasgow project, has been photographing everything from dandelions to meteor showers, juggling missing ingredients in the kitchen (the lack of flour now definitely a minor frustration) and planting spinach and potatoes. It’s been a week with fine weather, long walks, and an awful lot of birds – so many summer migrants are back: as well as cuckoos and housemartins, I’ve heard grasshopper warblers out on the muir and our local osprey has returned, circling over the loch behind our house in search of fish.
Despite being fairly circumscribed (I’ve personally not moved beyond a 3 mile radius since March) daily life here can be pretty varied and various, and I suppose this variety is also reflected in the subject matter of this blog, which, over the past month or so of daily posts has ranged from knitting, brewing, poetry, recipes, women’s history, live jazz, inkle weaving, book reviews, photography, buttons, walking, dog’s-eye perspectives, a drying rack, the Scots language, and a seabird’s sternum. Some of you have kindly written to say you are enjoying our daily postings (thank you). I’m really enjoying posting too, and this morning I’ve found myself wondering whether there are particular subjects / themes that you, as a reader, would like to see or hear more about here in this space? All ideas are welcome – just let us know and we’ll see what we can do (though bear in mind that the dogs are rather sparing with their wisdom, and only put paw to paper occasionally).
Please feel free to leave us your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. Enjoy your Saturday!
KDD & Co 
Thank you. Just, thank you. And please know that we are grateful for your content, especially the variety. You, and your team, are well-read, talented, thoughtful, curious, and generous to share your talents with us through these posts. I look forward to them. Keep following your hearts, minds, and imaginations, and we’ll follow.
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Should you be really desperate for flour, I recently took delivery of 16kg of wholemeal strong bread flour, really tasty stuff. It’s heavy to post non-commercially though.
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Freyalyn – thanks so much – we are now awaiting delivery of our own 16kg bag, sourced from a local restaurant supplier1
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Kate, it’s such a strange thing to feel like I have friends in Scotland, who don’t know me like I know them. It’s so generous of you, and courageous, to open your lives to the world, sharing so much of your experiences. Thank you. I’ll read and enjoy whatever you want to share.
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thanks, Meredith x
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I am just enjoying everything you (as a collective) write. Whatever it’s about I really look forward to it! Thank you all
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Reading through other people’s comments I think the point is that whatever you choose to write about we all enjoy and find it interesting. Also that in these strange times we appreciate the effort and for many of us reading your post is part of our morning routine. So thank you again for making the effort and anything you write is good😀
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I enjoy your posts each and every one. Although I am not knitting at this time I am learning more about intriguing new names for beautifully colored yarns which I have never seen before. I have always loved bright colors and that is what I wear with my purple hair which has been fighting with the silvery white roots springing up from my head.
I enjoy the history you talk about especially the feminists who are not familiar to me. Thanks to you I am looking their names up to learn more about them.
Your descriptions of the weather and the land around you is so very different than our current 90 degree weather that we are experiencing as summer is beginning in our desert climate. Soon 90 degrees will feel cool as the temperatures rise up to 100 and 105 and then 110 degrees for weeks at a time. Our birds only sing at night when it is so hot. The people that live in the desert stay inside during the day. In the past we used to host tourists in our city in the summer but now no one dares to visit for fear of getting sick.
Your words each day comforts me as I struggle to get used to this new quiet world where friends stay away from one another.
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Thanks for asking, Kate. I most want to hear about how you get your ideas, and what gives you inspiration, for your knitting designs. I always love hearing about Scotland and where you live and travel, whether it be history, geography, water, light, hiking, walking and swimming, yarn, sheep, architecture, ferries to the islands, etc. Also, what coping skills do you use to help lift you out of depression. So many people are suffering these days and you seem to be doing quite well right now. And last but certainly not least, can you please ask Tom to write more about Whiskey!
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I agree with many of the comments left here. Your blog is such a fascinating mix. Even when I started reading it so many years ago, it was the history that drew me to it, as I knew the patterns were beyond my meagre knitting skills. The photography is stunning, the patterns are beautiful, (I have even progressed to knitting one or two) and you have introduced me to poets and writers I hadn’t known. Your own poetry is lovely too. In a nutshell it is always interesting and nourishing and uplifting. Thank you to the whole team for your hard work.
And a special thank you to Sam for dispatching my order of yarn and Weesht so quickly.
Best wishes to you all
Caroline
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Hello up there on the beautiful West Highland Way. I don’t mind what you write about or which of the team writes as they are all so calming in this strange time. Take care of yourselves and stay safe 🧶🌈
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Every single day I’m looking forward to read your post, no matter the subject. Everything is so inspiring !! Thank you all of you.
Love from France.
Barbara
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It is really interesting. I love the subjects
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I enjoy every post! Would love some more book recommendations :-)
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I am just so grateful for each post that you write. I love all the subjects about which you write and know that this must be a huge task to produce such varied and interesting blogs. Thank you
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This is very specific, but I’d absolutely love to see some of Tom’s meteor shower photographs – we hoped to see them here but couldn’t. (Small compensation – we were treated to beautifully bright Venus and a crescent moon last night.)
Also hoping to hear more about the completion of People Make Glasgow!
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More knitting related items, more about the beautiful nature you are surrounded with, like the West Highland Way book, more about historical figures of Scotland’s history, less feminism, poetry & liturature.
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I’m also enjoying the frequency and variety of your posts, but I know it’s a lot of work to keep it up! I’d love to see some garden updates please. We are going into autumn in Australia but this time of year is forever spring in my brain :)
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I have enjoyed your daily blog posts–in the past, your posts have always been unexpected surprises, but now it is a real delight to have a pleasant email to look forward to each day. I love reading about your reading, and about your walks as the weather turns springlike, and your history posts have always been my favorites. Your button box post made me wonder how you organize your materials. I recall you once writing that you didn’t keep much of a stash, even before you started working chiefly with your own yarn, so this may be a more appropriate topic for another member of your team. I tend to get materials only with specific projects in mind, but there always seems to be odds and ends from old projects or extra DPNs turning up in unexpected places. I don’t particularly mind this–I’m tidy *enough* and you never know what might spark an idea–but have been noticing it more since I’m at home more, and have wondered how people with lots of different creative endeavours keep it all from getting overwhelming. I remember the posts about your old Edinburgh pod and your new house kitchen and do NOT recall an avalanche of untidy skeins. I’ve followed along with your weaving experiments and wondered ‘where does she put it all?’ I’m sure there are lots of different systems, and I am inveterately nosy–would love to hear from other commenters, too.
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Like many, I have found the daily posts to be welcome company. I’ve enjoyed the variety. I’ve had to stop myself from reading your next post after midnight my time. That would be two posts in one day and none new the next! Some time ago you wrote a post on gauge, swatching, and needle size with regard to choosing the correct pattern size. It changed my thinking about the process of swatching. I’d love to have more posts on techniques, why you choose the ones you use, and how to do them. And, I am always interested in color selection and combination. Again, with many thanks!
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As a transplanted Scot, I really enjoy anything that is especially Scottish – Tom’s landscape portraits, his recipes, his (now treasured) whiskey notes, Scottish knitting patterns and styles, Scottish history and its unique culture. Yes my knees go wobbly and my eyes get damp, but your posts remind me of my heritage and help me stay connected in a way that seems real and very inclusive for myself, and for all your readers. Thank you.
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Hello from the west coast of Canada! I have enjoyed your blog for many years and am especially enjoying your more frequent postings now, thank you. I have visited Scotland four times and would return in a heart beat. Your blog is my vicarious travel: love the words, the photos, the dogs, the knitting, the yarn and now even weaving, my passion. Thank you again, keep well.
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i don’t have a suggestion for a topic, but i wanted to say that the tom’s photo totally moved me. i can’t explain why. so touching. does he perchance have a print for sale?
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I have yet to read a post that I haven’t found either thought provoking, a change of scene, educational, entertaining or all 4! Thank you for providing a welcome break from a mix of childcare and work in intensive care- your posts are a very welcome point in my day.
PS can I post you some flour?Any kind- we have plenty!
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thanks Anna for the work you do, and for the kind flour offer. Just today, I managed to order a 16kg bag from a supplier who usually sells to restaurants!
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Hooray!! 16kg should keep you going for a while- that’s what we get every 6months !
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Good evening Kate. Like your other readers I looked forward to your posts so anything you write is great. I love it when Bruce and Bob write. I have been thinking while I have been sieving glass and rubbish out of part of the veg garden soil. So here goes
1) how to substitute yarn if the specified yarn is no longer made or too expensive 2) best ways to block jumpers 3) best ways to sew up jumpers 4) converting flat patterns into the round 5) gardening tips for new veg growers 6) monthly report on your veg garden 7) your local wildlife and pictures if you have one of those camera traps 8) how to design a jumper
As you can see I did a lot of sieving.
But at the end of the day just keep posting and making me either smile or reflect on things.
Take care and keep well
P.S. suggestions to stop Muzzy ( black cat) stealing my yarn. Posh knitting bag wit zip top didn’t work he can get paw or head in the gap! Now hangs at bottom of stairs. But he is loved none the less!
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I am pleased to read anything you write. The small opportunity your daily posts offers to hear how another person thinks and processes leavens the reality of a world in which my physical parameters have shrunk to the boundaries of a territory I can traverse by foot. Learning little bits about all the parts of your life that inform your work reminds me to notice and think more broadly about all the parts of my life that inform mine. I love Tom’s photographs, and the exquisite focus they reveal. I would love to hear his words about what it’s like to see the world so carefully and so intimately. I love the literary connectivity to your life as an academic, and have discovered new things to read and ideas to explore because of it. I love tracing your process of living through and beyond the effects of stroke though current and previous posts. The beautifully written narrative of a life continuing and thriving after chaos is especially meaningful to me, in these times and as the mother of a child who was also caught up in and tossed around by chaos.
Write whatever inspires you. I am quite sure I will find the results thought/smile/creativity provoking. Thank you!!!
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Another thank you – you are doing an amazing job. I always investigate further your music and reading suggestions and been grateful and glad to have been pointed in those directions.
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Hello Kate, love all of your posts I look forward to them everyday. Whatever they are about they are always so interesting.
Thank you so much. xx
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I love reading your daily bldg. our world is changing rapidly as we watch what Covid 19 is doing to all of us. . I have chronic anxiety and depression. I take meds but my savior is knitting, music and nature. It was also swimming but since we are social distancing, my favorite pool is shut down. I am knitting your beautiful Dathan Hap. Every color of the Milarrochy tweed brings a different joy to me . I’m madly in love with Lochan. I want to find a very simple cardi to knit with Lochan. That’s what you bring to my life, hope and the sense of awe for each day even though mentally I am suffering. I don’t share it very often. I’m a retired Mental Health therapist. In my private practice I was humbled by the amount of pain people suffered but still functioned in their job, in their roles as Mother, father, sister, brother, lover or friend.
Thank you for your bldg. I read it daily. I can’t wait to find that perfect very simple sweater to knit with Lochan.
My best to you,
Mary Dean
Portland, Oregon
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all my very best to you, Mary. I sympathise with the pool situation – I’m missing mine too. I’ll try to design that cardigan for you.
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Each morning i find a new and thoughtful essay, beautiful photos, moving poetry and birthday bananas that still have me chuckling. So glad I happened on your blog. Following it with delight!
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Love seeing the variety of your recent posts and hope that continues. Not every topic is a must-read for me, but happy to see it all the same. I do also enjoy that you are posting daily and it is something I look forward to every day!
Would love to see more recipes from you or Tom…or anyone on your team! Or even…here’s what we have been cooking/eating, especially since (I think) you cook a lot with things you’ve grown. I’ve worked through the recipes in Buachaille and have settled on the farls as my “new favorite thing”, but could always use more simple fare like that to explore. At times these days, cooking and thinking about cooking seems to be about the only thing I can muster.
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I really enjoy reading whatever you post, thank you. But since you are asking, what about a new one of Tom´s recipes?
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I would like to Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love your daily posts.
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Hello from Slocan, British Columbia. I keep track of changes in the natural world of my yard and surroundings and love being able to compare to your part of the world. I enjoy your posts about birds and plants and seasonal changes. Your book ideas are always welcome. Thanks for all your creative designs and communications.
Barbara
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Kate, I want to add my thanks for your (and your team’s) very welcome and enjoyable posts. Keep ’em coming, on whatever subjects occur to you.
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Whatever you write, I will read. Good writing is rare, and I always enjoy both what you say, and how you say it.
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I couldn’t agree more!
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Your blog is just perfect……..love the difference every day. Just WRITE and we will READ! thank you.
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Your posts are all wonderful.
Favorite topics: women’s history, 18th Century anything, recipes, Tom’s photos, local natural environment, knitting (of course), weaving, beer-making, local art, jazz.
Thank you!
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Topics? Any that strike your fancy, or Tom’s, Bruce’s, or Bob’s fancies, of course. Every post is an intriguing and unexpected journey for the reader. Meanwhile, I just popped in to say that on my morning walk today I saw a mother wood duck and her eight to ten tiny ducklings on the creek. I say “eight to ten” because they were swirling around so that I kept losing count . . .
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I’m really enjoying your daily posts and one of them reminded me that I had not yet read your book Handywoman – so it jumped the queue and now I’m recommending it to everyone I know.
I was diagnosed with an immune system disorder in my early 30’s, I had three children under the age of 10 and I could barely manage the one flight of stairs in our house twice a day, to come down in the morning and go up at night. I also lost the use of my right thumb for a year, among other things. Thank goodness Fiskars came out with their spring action scissors around that time, they were one of my life savers! Talk about good design.
Both my mom and my MIL had chronic health issues with severe mobility issues, rheumatoid arthritis and MS respectively, and my MIL tried to welcome me to the Chronically Ill women’s club but I declined. I preferred my mother’s creative adaptation and mostly cheerful perseverance model. And I found my way back to a different kind of health.
So, your journey was familiar in some ways and very inspiring overall.
Thank you so much for writing that particular book and sharing such personal experiences with the world – it’s such an important story and perspective on illness, wellness and disability/ability.
Carry on!
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thankyou Melissa
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I always feel so fortunate be connected to your blogs and your books. I often think: I am so fortunate to have discovered Kate. Your interests align perfectly with mine and your way with words is divine. I love this gorgeous photo of Tom’s. I am also thinking that this lack of physical movement we are experiencing now has allowed many of us to go inside of ourselves in ways we might not have otherwise. I see many friends and colleagues exploring their own creativity in new ways. Even beyond creativity, I hope this is a time of discovery for us.
Be well
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Hi, Kate!
I’m loving the variety, but I know how it is to be eager for fresh ideas. Here are a few:
I love Scotland and had planned to visit to hike and explore this summer. Not likely now. But all your Scotland work (e.g. the entire West Highland Way project) has really appealed to me. How about a wee bit on Scottish culture as you see it?
I’m loving learning about how people make themselves cozy these days. If it’s not too personal, maybe share some of the spaces you or Tom work and relax in?
I’m loving Bob and Bruce. Your banana post was brilliant.
Stay safe, and keep those amazing reflections and incredible pictures coming!
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Like the others, I read and enjoy everything you and your team write. I am particularly interested in textile history. Your piece on mending was amazing. Stay well and continue. Best wishes from San Diego, California.
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Hello Kate, thank you for your daily updates which are interesting. I particularly like any information on the history of spinning or knitting and how this impacted normal peoples lives. Love seeing old photos of people working in the wool industry , in any capacity, anywhere in the British Isles at any time in the past. Love reading about social history in this context. Thanks again!
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How is your raised bed garden coming along this year? Any plans?
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Hi Kate, thanks for asking! I’ve very much appreciated your daily blogs, and enjoy them all. I have a personal love for “behind the scenes” content. I second the call for more expansion on the ard thir colourway names. Also I agree with those who would like to hear more about the books you’re reading – the scholarly background you bring to your design work is part of the appeal, so I for one wouldn’t mind more of that, if you choose to share it. I agree you can have a lot of variety in a small radius; we don’t leave the same 3 mile radius for most of the year!
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Just Thank You for sharing such a variety of topics with us . Stay safe.
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I too have enjoyed the daily posts, especially from Bob! And I love to hear about the landscape of some place I am not! I have knitted several of your patterns and each teaches me something new. I was wondering if you have considered writing something about teaching children!
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Dear Kate – I am fairly new to your blog and it has become a daily treat every morning with my coffee. We are 7 hours later than you here in Calgary, Alberta and I also enjoy reading the many comments from your readers. I love the variety, spontaneity and beauty of your posts. Opening the email each morning is like opening a beautifully wrapped gift on Christmas Day and not having a clue what’s going to be inside. Your and Tom’s posts are truly a gift to us your readers. We don’t expect it, but we cherish it. Don’t change a thing! With deepest gratitude and best wishes for your health and happiness.
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Good morning,
I Echo many of the sentiments expressed in other people’s posts. I so look forward to opening my morning mail from KDD . I am guaranteed to be clicking on links and wandering off into the world of the internet for several hours afterwards. Thank you for this delightful interlude in my day.
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I want to echo the thought by Sarah. I am always interested to hear what goes into your design process. How choices are made, what other inputs sought, what are the preparatory steps, etc. BTW I purchased and enjoyed reading Wheesht.
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Your posts about the natural world you live in are my favorite, whether the birds or land or sea. Sometimes I read them first thing in the AM, but more typically I save them for a moment when I need a break from work or the mundane. Your writing style makes it seem as tho it’s an eagerly anticipated letter from a good friend.
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Love just being immersed in your life, very different landscape and lifestyle than mine here in Florida. I have spent time in Scotland and love the country, so images and nature notes are especially welcome. I too would love to see how the ideas for designs go through their process of becoming a finished pattern. I have knitted a few of your patterns; love to knit, but don’t ever imagine designing a knitting pattern. The math alone! But I want to know how it’s done. Also, I am pretty amazed by your productivity, given that you’ve shared your struggles (which I appreciate), you seem to get a phenomenal lot done! I know everyone is different in their habits and personality, as far as productivity goes, and I’m suspicious of “hacks,” but I still am curious how you stay motivated and on task for so many different projects.
BTW Milarrochy Tweed is one of my fave yarns, ever.
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Your daily posts have been so sustaining for me, Kate, an important, calming part of my new daily ritual. No matter the topic, I am intrigued with your take, or with Tom’s photos—outstanding—or with the musing of your faithful Lab companions. Though I would love to hear and see more of the area in which you live, truly my fondest hope is that you just keep writing! So looking forward to the new pattern.
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I look forward to reading your blog each morning. Usually , I knit for awhile afterwards. I’m struck by the things we share, despite the vast differences in environment and experience (I’m from Chicago, retired to Florida).
I would love to know more about your relationship to knitting in your youth and how it has changed over the years. How does time knitting fit with time designing?
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Thank you for your writing, designs, beautiful photos and site. Agreed that it’s you and your eye and mind and heart we come for, so as you will, as you’re moved, just keep on, keepin’ on. As someone eager to re-find the heart of what I originally pursued in learning about feminism and history, and curious about how we make our ways in the world, I deeply appreciate the bits like this week’s suffragette history. Thank you, profound gratitude to you and Tom and yes, more paws to print please, too!
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My top three favourite topics would be:
1. Bruce
2. Bruce
3. Bruce
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Good morning!
I’ve begun this several times trying to find the right words (words come slowly to me). I realize everyone who has already commented reflect my thoughts perfectly. You have given us a great gift which is much appreciated. Thank you to you and your spectacular team.
Enjoy your day.
Lynn
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Your posts are such a joy, an inspiration, a welcome bit of sanity in this strange and awful time. For me, living in the U.S., with all the craziness here, and I’m sure elsewhere as well, it is healing to see such curiosity and wonder at all the good this world still holds. I especially loved everything about the post “Watching Weeds”. I so look forward to seeing what’s next.
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Well said, Leva.
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I am thoroughly enjoying reading your blogs. I look forward to spending some quiet time becoming absorbed in your words and Tom’s photography every day. I feel honoured that you are allowing us to have a glimpse of your lives and interests. I have also enjoyed knitting quite a few of your designs. I particularly enjoy reading about the stories behind each knitted item. I would love to read more of how you go about the thought process of individual designs through to the final production. I admire your creativity and Tom’s photography is amazing. The combination in each blog is first class. I have also travelled through your part of the world and would love to learn more about the history of your area. It is a blessing in this most unusual world we live in today to receive your email with a link to the blog and be able to sit down and enjoy every word. Thank you…all the way from a small country area in Victoria Australia
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Well I came for the knitting and stay for the knitting but I echo everyone in that I love the whole package. You are such a terrific writer and Tom is such a terrific photographer and the obvious care and precision of your joint work really elevates my morning moments with you all. I love learning about the land and local history too. At the end of the day you must all write what inspires you. We will love it.
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I like the small ritual/seasonal posts scattered through the more meaty posts. The cup of tea in my favourite teacup or slice of cake posts. Treking to the top of a hill to bury some mead for New Years Eve. They really focus on a small moment in time.
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I really enjoy reading your daily missives and look forward to each morning in anticipation. All subject matter for me – you all write so well and are an absolute joy to read. Thanks ever so much XXX
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I particularly enjoyed reading about designing your Adrienne Rich blanket square. I am interested in anything you choose to share about your design process (the more detailed/technical the better!)
I also love the posts you write celebrating other knitters’ projects using your designs.
All the photographs are great too.
(I hope this doesn’t make you feel obligated to blog every day if you don’t want to – everyone deserves a day off!)
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Your blog is perfect, I for one love the variety of topics, and a different voice occasionally. I love everything, and Tom’s art work is breathtaking. My husband was born in Glasgow, and although he relocated to Liverpool when he was just 14 (the result of his parents breakup) he is fiercely proud of being a Scot, and we go up when we can. I absolutely love Scotland too, and we both hope to relocate for our retirement years.
But please, just carry on as you are, it’s a bit of pleasure in a world not so pleasurable at the moment x
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Hello Kate!
I enjoy everything you write about, and particularly liked your recipe for oat cakes :) I’d love to hear more about other recipes or food you enjoy!
Thank you for our daily inspiration and creative fix!!
Mary
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Thanks Kate
I cherish the thoughtful essays you share with us and wouldn’t want in anyway to suggest they need improvement. You commented on the fact that you haven’t traveled beyond a 3 mile radius in the past month and I thought perhaps you would share your knowledge about past generations of women who never traveled beyond their villages. How did they share knowledge , inspire others, ….?I’m thinking in terms of a creative life. Just a thought. Even though we are physically limited in our wanderings, our digital lives allow us to explore and learn and source materials.
Thanks again.
Be well
Mary
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I enjoy the mixture of subjects and broadening my horizons by reading the blog. Fibre and wood complement each other so well that I would like to suggest wood and related crafts as another subject. I was out in the coppice yesterday processing hazel rods and enjoying the bird song while my husband was making his first hazel hurdle since his 2018 stroke, from clothes pegs to hurdles eventually! What are the woody crafts in your area? Regional chairs maybe , another of my husband Les’s favourite subjects as he was previously a furniture restorer.
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Kate, I’m not sure if I’m remembering correctly but did you, many moons ago, write a blog on pockets? If so, I’d love the link again. Like almost all women, I hate clothes without pockets no matter how dressed up the outfit. I realised yesterday that one of the things I was most missing just now is being on the go. And, that that feeling is characterised for me by running for the train and feeling in the pockets of whatever coat I have on for a lipstick. I pay attention to colour and tone in all aspects of what I wear except when it comes to lipstick which is always at the mercy of what happens to have been left in whichever coat. In my fantasy ‘being on the go’ it doesn’t matter where I’m going or who to see as long as I’m going. One day. In the meantime, thanks for helping our minds be on the go whilst we stay put.
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I would like to repeat Vivienne’s and Susan’s comments. It’s the lightness and randomness of your comments that lift my day. If you don’t have an idea one day then don’t have one and let Tom post some of his beautiful photos. How lucky we are to know a little more about you and I hope it helps you as much as it does the rest of us but please don’t let us be a burden (but I would really love to see the development of a sweater from ball of wool to the finished article – personally I struggle with knitting in the round). Thank you Kate, Tom, Bob and Bruce
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I love the serendipity of the blog and also hearing from others in the team. If I have a special pleasure it’s in your writing about textiles and their history, and also reading about your reading.
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Hi Kate, a few things I would be interested in are:
An interview with Mel
To hear more about the development of Ard Thir, including the colour inspirations
you are a fan of detective novels – who are your favourite writers or favourite books and why?
I am loving the wide-ranging daily posts, a real highlight of my day! Thank you all.
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Lovely to hear about grass hopper warblers , the osprey. The natural world, the vegetable plot , the rhythm of life unaffected by our concerns is very soothing. Thank you for taking the time to write and post. Love love love the daisy.
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This blog has, over the years, introduced me to so much I never knew about but am fascinated to discover. So for me, rather than make suggestions which would be based on what I already know, I am very happy to continue to read about whatever is currently taking your interest. I am also enjoying reading the posts by all the other members of the KDD team.
That said, I am sure other readers better than me at thinking outside their personal box will have wonderful suggestions.
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Thank you so much for just being you!
Like some have written before it’s a pleasure to follow your blog, especially now and on a daily basis – this is luxury :-)
I came in rather late (2016) and flipped through older posts from time to time. That’s why I’m really happy about your blog’s latest feature, the “related posts”. It’s great to find posts completely new to me and older ones I enjoyed some time ago. I always find food for my brain and inspiration here – and outstanding photography. Part of the fun is that I’ll never know what I get when I open your blog. So I’m happy just the way it is.
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Thank you – both of you!
This blog has become my personal daily oasis, my short break and getaway from the jobs that need to get done – either professionally or the thing called household.
The picture of Otter Ferry made me sigh, its serenity and quiet beauty…so lovely.
I love discovering new music, books and learn about history – I have the tendency to go out and research the history in my own and my adopted country based on what I read – time passes very quickly and I always come away enriched from these online adventures.
I love learning about gardens (only have a balcony), wild flowers, recipes, so I think I’m in the right place here. I’m already looking forward to tomorrow.
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Greetings from sunny Llandudno, North Wales. I’m enjoying reading your blog and your musings on many and varied subjects. You may have seen our mountain goats wandering into our town due to lack of people and tourists at this time of year. They are cashmere goats gifted to Llandudno from Queen Carmen Sylva of Romania in the Victorian era. Wonder if I could get my hands on a fleece 😉( not a good idea). Make sure that you, Tom, Bruce and Bob stay safe and keep blogging. I’m still building myself up to knit one of your fantastic patterns but have never done colour work …. this might be the time to start. Rhian
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The variety is wonderful, the daily posts have been both a treat and a comfort.
Suggestions:
Vegetable growing/plant cultivation
Jane’s comissions
Fenella’s work
more about the wider team’s activities?
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I’m thoroughly enjoying your daily posts – thank you!
I second Sarah above – some images and news from your veg plot (and beyond) would be interesting.
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I would really just like to say “Thank You!” I have been enjoying the posts from all the KDD family, yes Bruce and Bob included!! They are a delight to open and read, and they make me feel as if I am one of the family! Wishing you all good health and happiness from Canada! :)
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I really enjoy the comfort of reading your blog every morning. I’m content to hear every subject. I wonder if perhaps there is some history of the walking paths in Scotland, such as the West Highland Way? How did they come about, how long have they been there. Was there a history of religious pilgrimages in Scotland? Are these old market paths and trade routes? Since when has hiking been a leisure activity rather than a necessity?
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What a good idea. I too would like to learn about this.
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I love your posts every day in this crazy time, they are the first thing (after the newspaper) I read every morning.
I ike to hear more about your vegetable garden. I love to garden myself and love my home grown vegetables.
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You’re doing a great job Kate, just keep doing what you’re doing!
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thankyou Vivienne x
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We love Otter Ferry and are meant to be having a family meal at the Oystercatcher with children and grandchildren there this July to celebrate our Ruby wedding anniversary. I think we might all still be in lockdown :( Loving all your posts. Thank you
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congratulations on your anniversary, Katy! Here’s to family celebrations when this is over!
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We have our Ruby wedding anniversary in July too – changed plans, and something to look forward to later. It was going to be a trip to Dunkeld in our case.
Loving all the posts Kate! I was going to mention the garden too. So much talk of allotments and vegetable growing in the Ravelry group.
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Dear Kate, I’ve been reading your blog *since it started* and always look forward to your intelligent, thoughtful and often very funny posts. When you are enthusiastic about something (which seems to me to be often!) you pass that excitement on to your readers, so I for one would be happy to read about anything that has caught your imagination or piqued your curiosity. Just one suggestion – I appreciate that writing about books might feel a bit like your old job, as you said recently, but if you can get past that, I think many of us would enjoy hearing more about what you are reading.
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thanks, Joanna. I often feel a bit self-conscious about posting about my reading for some reason – but I’ll try to get over that!
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Such a beautiful picture of Otter Ferry. My family came from there and last summer my mum and I had a little pilgrimage on my birthday to see where my great grandmother and grandmother lived. It was a beautiful hot summers day and the sea was flat calm. We were just reminiscing about it yesterday and wishing we could be there now! How serendipitous your photograph is….thank you
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lovely to hear this, Louisa
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I’d like to know the path you take to create a finished pattern/garment from the original germ of an idea.
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I find all your posts so interesting ,creative and inspiring.What about Tom taking veg plot photos and a poem from you re the joys of growing your own food,followed by recipes later in the season.
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That’s an easy question. It’s the everything of your blog that I love – especially now. I like opening it and not knowing what I’m going to find except that the words and the photos will always be a delight.
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Your blog is one of the highlights of my day, enjoyable, thought-provoking, amusing, creative… I am in awe of you and your human and canine team. Thank you so much!
Kitty
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