D is for Damson, Dahlia, and a Delicious Dilemma

I was woken up in the middle of the night on Friday by a scratching sound by my bedside.  Since our lovely cat Sakura's death a fortnight ago I have heard the mice dancing a jig in our attic so I was a little fearful of what I might find when I opened a weary eye.  I need not have feared for I found Dahlia The Rabbit  standing on the tip of her long toes and shivering.

"What ever is the matter?" I managed to mumble.

"I'm cold", she replied. "These trousers you made last week are fine and dandy for prancing about on stage but I would be grateful for something warmer now the nights are so frosty".

I nodded sagely and went back to sleep until Angélique woke me up a little while later.  It was still dark but my conscience geared me into making a little something warmer for Dahlia and I smiled as I knitted for I reminded myself of the Elves and the Shoemaker although much bigger in size of course.

Dahlia is delighted with her overalls and she happily declared them damson in colour.

"Why not?" I smiled for they do remind me a little of the damson's shining black-purple coats with matt blue overlay.

Dahlia urged me to write down the very simple pattern I concocted in the dead of night so should any of you wish to make this adorable Helen Philipps' rabbit you too might be able to dress it warmly.

So for those who are interested you will find my Dahlia's Overalls pattern at the end of this post.

And now for the delicious dilemma!

For the first time in years my dearest husband will have a week off between Christmas and the New Year.  Can you imagine our excitement?  After our weekly family meeting we decided we would like to head off in search of snow somewhere in the mountains.  The Alps seemed the obvious destination.  My mother's family is from Savoie and whilst I spent all my childhood holidays there I have lived by the sea for many years in Normandy and have not so much as glimpsed a mountain for far too long.

It is time to return.

We have searched for a gîte and it was my husband who came up with the following idea:

"Why don't we look for a roulotte (gypsy caravan) on a mountain top?"

   He knows me well.  You see, dear readers, one of my dreams when we finally buy a house and garden of our own in the Loire Valley is to also own a gipsy caravan, decorated by ourselves, which would serve to house visiting friends, host birthday parties for the children, and maybe even serve as an extra B&B room.

So this is what we found.  Please take a peep and tell me honestly what you think.  Bear in mind that at Christmas there will be snow on the ground as it is located between Chamonix and Geneva.  Do you think, as a family of five, we would be nuts to sejourn there for a week?  We generally get on pretty well although we are not perfect, of course.  For those who read French you will see there is a farm nearby which would be wonderful for the children.

 I am waiting for your thoughts on this delightful dilemma.

   

Until then I shall leave you with a picture of my newest acquisition:

 

My fabulous Fairysteps shoes!

Despite my deceptively large legs displayed here I feel like a fairy when wearing these for they fit like a kid glove and make me feel as if I am walking on air.

Have a heavenly week walking on air and welcome to my new followers!  I should have some good news to share with you in my next post!

A bientôt,


Stephanie

And here as promised is my humble pattern:

Dahlia's Overalls

I used Rowan Felted Tweed (so very soft) and a pair of US 4 (3.5mm) needles.

Legs

make 2

Cast on 34 stitches

Knit 2 rows

Starting with a K row knit 24 rows in stocking stitch (or more should you wish for longer trousers)

Cast off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows to shape the crotch

Knit a further 22 rows in stocking stitch

Next rowm *K6 K2 tog* repeat ** 3 times, K6 (27 stitches)

Purl 1 row

Knit 2 rows

Cast off. 

Bib

make 1

Cast on 20 stitches

Row 1: Knit 1 row

Row 1: K2, P to last 2 stitches, K2

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: K2, P2 tog, P to last 4 sts, P2 tog, K2

Repeat the last 4 rows 3 times (12 stitches)

Knit 3 rows

Cast off

Straps

make 2

Cast on 4 stitches

Working in Garter stitch, knit 24 rows.

Cast off.

To sew up overalls.

With right sides together, fold each leg in half lengthways and sew up leg seam.

Turn one leg right way out and fit this one insdie the other.  Sew up crotch seam and turn right side out.

Sew bib to front of trousers.  

Sew one edge of each strap to the back of the overalls, about 1 cm either side of the centre seam, cross straps over at the back and sew the other end to the top of the bib at the front, overlapping 1cm.  Sew a button ont he end of each strap although these will not undo.

Finished!

 

The show must go on!

I am deeply touched by the empathy each of you expressed in your comments on my last post.  Every comment was received with tears of gratitude and you have all supported my children in their grieving process.

Thank you to Kate from harmony and rosie for suggesting the Judith Kerr books, Charlottesplot for giving me the reference to Marry Fedden's books, and Jo for telling me about the Rainbow Bridge Poem.  There were tales of mourned pets and helium balloons from Annie, gentle, hopeful hints of a future pet from lovely Isabelle (who is expecting her first child and is knitting up a storm) while Pat encouraged us all to laugh at Sakura's funny antics through our tears.  I loved Jeanne's reference to Voltaire, which I read several times, and I am grateful to Sara (anonymous) for her heartfelt messages and her suggestion to plant a rosebush.

I read your messages of hope and sympathy to my children and we agreed we would plant a cherry tree for Sakura when we were settled in a house and garden of our own.  

Tristan, who is seven years old, painted these flowers on A3 paper to thank you all.

 

We all heartily agree that the show must go on. 

 With a roll of drums and a few clashing cymbals here is Dahlia my autumnal rabbit.

This little androgynous creature is straight from Helen Philipps' last book.  You can see one of her rabbits on her blog here.

 He/She was delightfully easy to make and calls out for a generous collection of outfits to be rustled up.  The little cardigan was a free pattern suggested by Barbara.

 I urge you all to make one.  My fingers are itching to sew up a shelf full of different coloured rabbits.  There are so many beautiful coloured linens to be found. Dahlia has woven her magic over me (I think she is a 'she', don't you?) and has made me quite chirpy this week.  'Merveilles' (as seen on the book cover) or enchantment help us dance through our everyday lives.  Dahlia would be in her element prancing about on stage, I think.

And here she is posing as a bookish 'Princess and the Pea'.

Have a wonderful week full of 'merveilles' or enchantment.

A bientôt,

Stephanie