Wednesday 21 October 2015

Yarn Along


Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along at Small Things.

I've been steadily working away at a wool blanket for the littlest boy. He likes to come and inspect progress at regular intervals, especially now that it's quite chilly of an evening. There's no heating on yet, in fact yesterday was glorious warm sunshine, but at the end of the day a blanket is quite welcome.

I'm enjoying curling up underneath it as I knit. The wool is scrumptious, Drops Lima in dark grey. It's a mixture of wool and alpaca, from Peru, and as yarn goes it's not too pricey. I'm hoping the alpaca from Peru will make it extra warm. The littlest boy's room is cool, so it's definitely in need of a blanket. When I've finished this one (!) I've promised the middle boy one for his room. He likes to curl up on his little sofa and read, and his room can be quite cool too (yes, it's cold everywhere upstairs) so a blanket would be just the thing.

I do so love knitting blankets, there's absolutely no thinking involved at all. Not in this simple stocking stitch one anyway. I watched Downton Abbey while knitting on Sunday. Halfway through there was a warning about disturbing scenes. (Spoiler - if you haven't watched it yet and think you might want to, miss out the rest of the paragraph). I was on high alert for scenes of horror. And suddenly there it was. Lady Mary went down the pub. Honestly, it was so unexpected, thank goodness they warned me. There she was, perched on a wooden chair, clenching everything as tightly as she could to make minimum contact with the seat, in a dingy room holding a glass of sherry in an immaculately gloved hand, thrilling herself with her louche behaviour. I was gripped. Clearly this was the start of the whole downfall of modern woman. Once Lady Mary hit the pub, it was a short slide between there and the city centre gutters on a Saturday night. Later on, Neville Chamberlain came to dinner and Lord Grantham projectile vomited three pints of blood across the table when his ulcer ruptured, which was nearly as exciting. It's a good job I can knit without looking.

I've been reading some of Caitlin Moran's pieces in her Moranthology, which have had me laughing and crying. I'm a huge fan of her writing, she has such a way with words. I have "How to be a Woman" on my to-read pile as well. I might have a little something else in between though. Possibly Notes on a Scandal (Zoe Heller) which I found at the community bookshop yesterday.

So there we have it. Knitting and reading. I'd happily spend a lot more hours on both.

43 comments:

  1. Your blanket looks good - I like grey mixed with brighter colours. You must be a fast knitter, as it would take me ages to knit a blanket. I've never got into 'Downton Abbey', but I am a Caitlin Moran fan, and can recommend 'How to be a Woman' - it's an excellent read.
    Cathy x

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  2. Ha ha! You always make me laugh CJ! Thank you for brightening up a grey wet morning. Like you I was on high alert waiting for the shocking scenes in Downton. They had me fooled as I thought the disturbing scene was going to involve Lord Grantham not Lady Mary ;) ;) What an amazing blanket btw. How many stitches on that needle?!

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    1. From memory it's about 206. Or there was when I started, it might have gone up or down a little... CJ xx

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  3. I'm not a Downton fan either, loved the first couple of series and then rather lost interest. I am a huge Caitlin Moran fan though. Your blanket looks gorgeous.

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  4. Cracking blanket, Mrs! I too wondered what on earth could be disturbing about Downton and nearly fell off the sofa when Lord G exploded. The dogs looked at me with concerned expressions because I expect I gasped, or shouted, or possibly even screamed. And then afterwards I laughed, which is possibly not what the programme makers wanted? But is after all quite understandable as a release of terrible tension. XX

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  5. We were late coming to the Downton party but are fans now - your comments on the pub scene had me chuckling! Your blanket is gorgeous; I love that dark grey with the pops of colour and would you just look at the size of that needle! I'm not a natural knitter - a hat is about my limit and I even struggled with that! I haven't read any Caitlin Moran books but will definitely look out for them at the library. Have a great week. xx

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  6. Beautiful blanket, how many hours does that take to knit up? Your Downton comments made me smile, in fact laugh. You have brightened up a horrible morning. Take care.

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  7. The blanket must get really heavy as you get towards the end but nice and cosy too. I, too, was on tenterhooks wondering who was going to be bumped off during Downtown. I wonder how many takes they did.

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  8. I bought a couple of balls of Drops Lima from Yarndale, mine's earmarked for having a go at crocheting Edward's Menagerie toys though. It is lovely and soft, just right for a blanket which you're going to snuggle in. I've always crocheted blankets rather than knit them but I do fancy having a go at a knitted one some time.

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  9. Good to see that the middle boy is a fellow sofa flyer and book buff. Flighty xx

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  10. That is a very lovely looking blanket. I'm sure I'd end up with a very wonky one as I'm hopeless at keeping track of stitches, even in a small square. I've been watching Downton as it's classic Sunday evening fare – goodness knows how many takes they had to do to get the explosive scene near to authentic! Crikey. It made me jump even though I was waiting for the 'shocking scene'. I'm glad it's nearly finished because it has become rather far-fetched and even the actors seem bored with it. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them did a piece to camera, 'Miranda'-style! Sam x

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    1. Now Miranda does Downton would make a Xmas Special!

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  11. I love the blanket. Its brilliant. One day I will make a blanket. One day. I've not yet seen the shocking scenes (although have heard all about them) - I must say with all the terrible indigestion Lord Grantham has had previously I'm surprised everyone at dinner was so shocked!?! Caitlin Moran is just brilliant. Hopefully better (hmmm, maybe more frequent) commenting from me coming up. Have a great week. xx

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  12. The blanket looks just perfect for a boy. I love the pop of color against the grey. :-)

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  13. Omg, I think Downton scarred me forever more after last week! Bleugh! On a happier note, your blanket is gorgeous and I want it. You must have such patience to do all those long rows! :)

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  14. Your post made me laugh. Lady Mary ...

    How much do I love that littlest boy has put in a request for a blanket of his own? I'm glad the blanket is providing comfort and warmth before it's even finished :)

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  15. Fab blanket I really really like it, it is now on my blanket wish list which is extremely long! I owe - yes that was the word used a quilt to the eldest & a crochet blanket to the youngest!! I'm not a Downton girl so I didn't watch the episode but the picture on line was gory enough! xx

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  16. The blanket is absolutely lovely. I imagine very soft and gentle. Thank you very much for mentioning the type of yarn used!! I have not seen that part in Downton Abbey yet, looking forward to it. Love Downton! I have told my husband a couple of times we need to visit England the land of his ancestors from his father side. I have never read Caitlin Moran, it sounds great!

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  17. That blanket is going to be such a family heirloom for your son! I look forward to seeing it completed. I held strong and did not read the part about Downton Abbey - as you know we don't get to see it until well after you do there in the UK. I was hoping no one died. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  18. The blanket looks lovely. If you need more wool, it is £1.50 a ball just now at the Woolwarehouse. I admire your stamina, stockinette stitch on such a big project would drive me nuts. xx

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  19. You're so funny! I can't wait until Downton comes back over here. They had a long preview of the new season on TV the other night and I made my husband be quiet so I could catch every word. He thinks it's a ridiculous show but I don't care. I love your blanket, the colors are beautiful. I use a lot of gray in my blankets too, it's just so soothing and it matches everything. I hope you're having a good week, CJ!

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  20. A lovely blog, you made me laugh out loud with your description of Downton, and the blanket looks cosy, what better thing to have to cuddle up to than a blanket knitted with love from Mum x

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  21. So funny!!!!!! I mean, the horror of it. Lady Mary in the pub, she will be sneaking off for illicit love trysts in a hotel next. Oh, wait, she already did that! Fabulous blanket! xx

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  22. I love Caitlin Moran and 'How to be a Woman' is fantastic - as I'm sure littlest boy's blanket will be. :-)

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  23. oh! what a great idea! My daughters' room is very cold, maybe once I get the Christmas crafting I will start a set for them. It will talk forever but they will love it. Thanks!

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  24. I gave up on Downton some series ago, perhaps I should start watching again, for the comedy!

    I feel warm just looking at that blanket.

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  25. An ambitious blanket there - looks so cosy. I just LOVE your description of Lady Mary in the pub! When is your first book or TV series coming out?! You never fail to make me laugh!

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  26. Ha ha, I don't watch downton but enjoyed your description. What a lovely blanket! We have loads of blankets donwstairs, where it's coldest in our house, and even a spare duvet and pillow for extra-cold evenings or when one of us can't sleep and ends up on the sofa!
    I've only read one Caitlin Moran book but it was excellent and def want to read more. I have read Notes on a scandal but wasnt sure if I enjoyed it - I thought it was really well written, it was just the main characters weren't very likeable. The husband is a best character I think.
    Happy knitting and reading!

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  27. Gosh, I think you are mavellous doing all that knitting, these days socks are my thing, small and quick to make, but I bet the blankets are wonderful and will last for years.
    Briony
    x

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  28. Wow CJ, a blanket is such an big project to tackle, though it sounds like you are enjoying it. How sweet that your little boy is so excited about it!

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  29. Hey CJ,
    A simply lovely blanket. I've never watched Downtown. Should I be? And Notes On a Scandal is an excellent read.
    Leanne xx

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  30. Dare I ask how long are your needles to fit a blanket!! I regularly knit blind and watch Downton...sadly I sometimes drop a stitch...just as well its a Lacey pattern! B x

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    1. It's a circular needle, around 100-110cm I think. Yay for forgiving, lacy patterns! CJ xx

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  31. Oh my you really are s talented. I've tried to knit before and I really enjoyed it but due to a repetitive stress injury in my hands (especially the right hand) it really does end up getting quite painful. I'm not going to pretend I've ever been skilled enough to knit a whole blanket though. I really do love the colours you've used :)

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  32. That looks to be a very sophisticated stylish blanket. I can imagine it being loved for a very long time. I have never managed to watch Downton. I have tried a couple of times but sport always wins. It's strange how easy it is to follow football, tennis, cricket or athletics and sew or knit or crochet at the same time.

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  33. cosying up under a project is perfect isn't it, I felt that way when I was stitching the binding on my quillt x I had to stop watching Downton after the Christmas special in which they killed off Matthew. It was a real mood killer on what had been a lovely day and I have never forgiven ITV for it.....

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  34. That blanket is wonderful, and the perfect colours for a boy. Even though I live in Canada I'm able to watch the current Downton Abbey (my English friends have me hooked up to their tv through a Slingbox), and I kept waiting for the horrific scene they were warning about. I figured they must have meant the projectile vomiting scene, but really, it felt like the warnings were more dramatic than the scene itself.

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  35. I look forward to watching that scene when we are able to view it all in the Winter. It is always a bit anticlimactic as we will hear all about it before we actually get to view it. Love the blanket, that is a lot of beautiful knitting.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  36. I do like your blanket, the simplicity of grey and bright stripes is right up my street. I have never watched Downton Abbey and as I usually like period dramas I'm not sure why I didn't!
    Caz xx

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  37. Love that blanket (I can't seem to get the hang of knitting with circular needles). Notes on a Scandal is a good read and there's a film version, too. Bet 'downstairs' at Downton are having a heck of a job getting those bloodstains out of the tablecloth.

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  38. Goodness, that blanket looks stunning. I love the colour combinations. You'll enjoy How to be a Woman. I devoured it in about 2 days.

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  39. I like your summing up of that Downton Abbey episode!

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  40. Oh wow, CJ, that blanket! It's just so gorgeous. I love the grey. Please show us it again when it's finished.

    You cracked me up with your Downton Abbey comments. I'm also a huge fan of Caitlin Moran. How to be a Woman is excellent - funny, sharp, spot on. It made me inner feminist wake up, no bad thing really! xx

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