Death of a Needle

Last night's television viewing became tinged with sadness when

half way through the last episode of George Gently my trusty

needle finally broke his neck.

He's the one at the top.

It was all over very quickly and I don't think he suffered although

his head had been at a funny angle for some months ever since an

unsuccessful attempt at beading had left him looking like

an upholsterer's tool.  Arthritic twinges quickly ensued and,

although he never complained (stitching was his life), he was

never quite the same again and very difficult to thread.

Needle had been with me for several years and together we'd

stitched through Strictly Come Dancing 2012, 2013 and 2014.

We'd shared a couple of Chelsea Flower Shows (this year was

our third but sadly he never got to see who was awarded best

in show), eagerly awaited a Royal birth and even crossed the

Channel together on my escape from France.

Shiny new apprentice commencing his training.

He was the needle who stitched Do Different and Kell's Eden

together with many more, as yet unpublished, projects who's

secrets he took with him.

Goodbye old friend - RIP which in this case has nothing to do

with unpicking.  His little broken, silver body now rests in

the dead needle tin in my workbox along with others who have

gone before.

Tissue anyone?