I’ve had some sizing issues with my Stokx Play Pants and the Stokx Square Pants, so Lindy from Stokx Patterns suggested I try the Annie Hose as being a more petite fit, although I don’t think I’m particularly petite.

They are described as a fitted, slim legged trouser with splendid pockets (which is absolutely true), extending from the front to the back. . There is shaping around the knee which creates a slight jodphur look, and the waistband is adjustable. They are made from stretch fabric and designed for comfort.

I dithered with the sizing and in the end went with size zero, which is the size of my other Stokx trousers but which is dangerous with my waistline, although that’s what the hips called for. I used some rather unloved bengaline from my stash. It is quite a bright blue, cobalt comes to mind, which I’d love for a top, but not so much for trousers. Anyway, I felt I had nothing to lose.

Well they fit, but as the inner band is non stretch I had to release the last few stitches so I could get the last bit of the zip done up, but otherwise they are great.

They are really good to walk in and I do get glimpses of the jodphur vibe.

They coordinate perfectly with my “Scottish” jumper, which I knitted on the knitting machine from variegated wool and got this design. I must have hit on precisely the right number of stitches as those dark blue diamonds are exactly in the middle. I knitted the cowl from the leftover yarn. I had to delete most of the photos from this session as I was eating an Eccles cake and had some very strange facial expressions!

The obligatory seated pose

And one from my daily walk

Another day, another walk, this time to a local park which is full of hobby sculptures. I’m sitting on a hammer head.

Of course you’re wondering whether there’s a heart, and yes, there is!

I have a little stash of denim hearts I cut out with my Cricut, so I dug in there for a suitable one and blanket stitched it on. I used variegated thread which was fun.

I’m now looking at different fabrics for another pair of these, something less bright perhaps, and I might line the waistband with stretchy fabric too.

I don’t have any photos of the grandchildren I can share, but I thought you’d like this video of my son making balustrading for his house. He has taken over our garage for this activity!

There are three sections and they go up a set of outside steps. Every step is a different height and depth so the maths for this was really tricky. I find this sort of making quite mesmerising. So different from what I do!