Hey there everyone! And wow, what an exciting week it’s been… Yesterday morning, bright and early, we arrived at the door of Virgin Media TV studios to appear on their breakfast show, Ireland AM! They wanted someone to talk about how knitting has really taken off again during the Covid-19 lockdowns… And you know, I do love to chat about all things knitting!
Plus, as we are all aware, the Beasties are incorrigible attention hounds.
So, soon after arrival, they fitted me up with a microphone. Then I helped to set up a table display of tasty yarn and surprisingly well-behaved Beasties.
Roslyn from the Ireland AM crew had the presence of mind to take a few photos of the setup, thankfully… I completely forgot! She also took this picture, which some of you might have already seen on social media.
Then, what seemed like microseconds later, we were live! My Dad very kindly photographed the TV at home while the segment was on and sent me these stills… Here I am, teaching the hosts Karen and Tommy how to knit!
They both picked it up incredibly quickly, I was super impressed!
I also brought along a few samples of easy projects that I recommend for beginners, like these little fingerless mitts.
(These are very easy, by the way… And so much quicker than knitting a scarf!)
Here we are finishing up. I was so proud of my new pupils… And of the Beasties. Honestly, I’ve never seen them so quiet.
The knitting revival – you heard it here first, folks!
If you’d like to see the complete piece, it’s currently up on the Virgin Media Player, here:
https://www.virginmediatelevision.ie/player/show/809/185364/0/
You can access the show from this link for the next 29 days. Some friends of mine in Europe have already watched it without a hitch, but if it’s not available in your country, please let me know! I might be able to send it to you a different way.
Also…
Commissions are officially open again as of today! So if you’ve an idea for a little woolly monster of your own, now is the time to get in touch!
We’ll be back next week with the second part of Explorer Beastie’s countryside adventure – sorry for bumping you this week, E.B.!
You can see more pictures from this parade in the original post, 
This pretty city centre park is the perfect place for a springtime stroll… And you can admire St Patrick’s Cathedral as you wander! It’s right next door.
Of course, a St Patrick’s Day party is probably on the cards for a lot of people. Paddy Beastie will certainly be celebrating…
(Please enjoy your Paddy’s Day drinkies responsibly)
You’re also all invited to the annual monster celebration at Beastie Towers – remember 
… But went off the rails shortly afterwards.
So, will you be raising a glass to St Patrick today too? Be sure to share your party plans with us in the comments!
… Or enjoy a picnic together.
Yum!
And if that wasn’t enough, we’re also within walking distance of the National Botanic Gardens…
…The city centre parks of St Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens…
… And spooky St Kevin’s Park, as featured in our 
Plus you never know who you might bump into along the way.
Dublin is also packed full of interesting old buildings to admire. The city is especially well-known for its Georgian-era architecture – a style that was popular for just over a century, beginning in the early 1710s.
How about you? Have you been seeing what’s on your doorstep with fresh eyes these past couple of months? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!
So when I suggested we take a trip to Dublin’s spookiest park, he was more than willing to tag along.
The ivy-covered shell of the church stands in the centre of the park, while the gravestones of the old churchyard are propped against the boundary walls. The park officially opened in 1971, and in preparation for this change of use, all the graves were catalogued and the headstones (but not the graves!) relocated. So it’s hardly surprising that stories abound of 
“… Disappointing lack of vampires though.”
… Walked on the lawns…
… Or enjoyed the abundant Autumn colours.
Just then, I heard another small, possibly Beastie-like voice.
Then…
“He’s a bit skittish, isn’t he? I only wanted to ask if he had a spare sandwich. I’m STARVING!”
… He did have a spare sandwich.
Then there was just time to take a quick photo for the Beastie family album before we headed for home.
All in all, a spooktacular day out!
So, what are you up to for Hallowe’en? Be sure to scare us silly with your plans by telling us about them in the comments!
You don’t see one of these guys very often – it’s 
Lovely!
… I found a pair of 
Cheers lads! This is only a small park though, so it was only a matter of time before their path crossed Autumn Beastie’s. Fortunately, Beasties aren’t having to do social distancing like the rest of us.
Hey there 
Fall Fashion Show!
And just as all the Beasties were preparing to go their separate ways…
… Up pops 
How about you? Are you enjoying being out and about, kicking through piles of fallen leaves? Or is your Fall experience more of the hot-chocolate-by-a-roaring-fire variety? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!
… Explorer Beastie strolled off to see if there might be any other Beasties about.
He didn’t have to go far… There’s one!
Hey there, 
And we got a special guided tour of the displays, too. There’s plenty of floral colour everywhere for visitors to enjoy!
Visitors of all sizes.
And just as we were about to leave, Explorer Beastie spotted a familar face. Look who’s hanging out in the hanging baskets!
… You’ll see BEASTIES!
Even as summer here draws to a close, there are plenty of bright blooms to enjoy too. The hydrangeas are very much in flower!
Next, we made our way down to the lily pond.
There are still enough lily pads on the surface that Explorer Beastie figured he could cross to the other side by walking over them, but I encouraged him to use the picturesque bridge instead.
And further on… HERE BE MONSTERS!
I’m not exactly sure what species it is – I couldn’t see a sign or tag near it. Anyone want to help us out here?
I think we’re going to be here a while.
It’s a bit hard to see among all those yellow flowers but…
Yes, it’s a BumbleBeastie!
Then Explorer Beastie found us.
We even met some of her six-legged insect counterparts along the way.
We left her tucking into some lamb’s ear – a favourite bee treat!
I wonder who else might be in the Botanic Gardens today? You’ll have to join us next time to find out!
… Got a Covid-19-era update!
The face mask is made from cotton, pleated and lined with felt for some good woolly air filtration. Then, a pretty ribbon strap with a little elastic helps to hold it in place.
Two needle-felted wool sponge cakes, sandwiched between layers of felt jam and icing? That would put a smile on any Beastie’s face!
She’s also dressed to impress, in a sweet floral print sundress with ribbon ties on the shoulders.
And finally, check out those lustrous alpaca tresses! I really should get the Beasties to share their hairdressing secrets.
Now all we need to figure out is how she’s going to blow out the candle without removing her face mask!
Big thanks to Annemarie for suggesting this fun and timely project! And speaking of fun…
As such, I have been avidly following the daily patrollings of Big Ginger Cat and Little Tortoiseshell Cat, who swing by several times a day to sunbathe, hunt bluebottles and wage war on the magpies in the big tree. It’s nice to see them continuing about their usual business!
The last time I saw that sweet teal-coloured Beastie in the red scarf was at the Christmas on the Square market back at the end of November. He was hoping to find a home to call his own, and he really lucked out! A few weeks later, I received a lovely email from his new family. They told me he was settling in well, and they’d called him Felix because he’d brought them so much happiness. Well, that Beastie has some serious happy-making powers, because hearing that made me smile too!
… Learning to ride a bike (I’m not sure how he’s working the pedals, but that doesn’t lessen the achievement)…
… And taking the family car for a spin.
Let’s hope he’s a better driver than our good friend Paddy!
Well held!
Well, an ice cream would definitely be a good start. Hopefully he’s planning to share all that with someone… It’s nearly as big as he is!
To further his career, he asked me to share this photo of him recreating a classic pic of U2 (image not my own, I should say), taken around 2000 in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock.
Any chance I can use my scissors, lads?
“No, sorry. This is the bar now. Sláinte!”
Turns out my cutting mat makes a pretty nifty dancefloor… And oh great, they’re dancing on the tables now too.
What’s this? MORE BEASTIES?!
Oh, come on! Some of you are aren’t even finished yet! And hey, get down from there!
Uh-oh. This can only go one way.
“Um, we got you a present?”