Just back from a few days north of the city — still some spectacular colour clinging to the trees!

I was visiting SK, the friend to whom I’d given the very first tea cosy cut to what’s become the flock’s signature pattern — that rounded, Roman-helmet shape with a chatter of zig zag pinking along its edges.

TC Shane's Grey Front view SMALL Shane cosy before A

The cosy  then and now. Not bad but life’s added a few creases and folds.

In the five years since it was made the cosy has experienced normal wear and tear and stuffing-in-drawers between tea-drinking visitors so, having a lazy afternoon at hand, I thought I’d see what kind of ‘spa’ rejuvenation I could render on it.

Shane cosy ironing B Shane cosy ironing C

MacGyvoring a rolled thick bath towel to substitute for a small sleeve-ironing board, I placed a clean wet tea-towel between the felt tea cosy and the medium-hot (on medium steam setting) iron and gently and quickly ironed over the creases on both sides.  Then rolled the tea towel to insert in the wonky top tab so it wouldn’t create a crease while I, again putting a clean wet tea towel between it and the iron, gave it a quick pass or two.

Shane cosy after ironing C

Et voila — pleased to report that a little steam ironing with a wet tea-towel between the felt and the medium-hot iron worked wonders.  Just like it’d spent a day at the spa.

Pines red berries Oct 27 Pines red berries Oct 27 B

The marshes and streams were bursting with beautiful bright red berries.  I don’t know what they are but I brought home an armload for the dining table.