Wednesday 13 January 2016

Yarn along


Joining in with Ginny at Small Things.

I finally finshed the littlest boy's blanket, and it's been on his bed since Christmas Eve. He loves it, and it's just in time for the colder weather that is finally here. I actually saw a dusting of frost this morning. I'm sat here with a hot water bottle, a candle and a big mug of hot peppermint tea. It occurs to me I should make fingerless mitts next, they are what I'm missing. Although I've already cast on a scarf. Another one. I do so love to knit things that don't have to be fitted. I've made several jumpers over the years, but not a single one of them really fit me very well. I still want to make another one though. I'm thinking maybe a loose cardigan. What could possibly go wrong with a loose cardigan?

I don't have a fiction book on the go at the moment. I'm trying to read some of the non-fiction stuff I have about writing. Yesterday I spent some time looking at a book about Twitter. A friend of mine told me that I should have all of the social media things. I hate to say it, but Twitter rather depressed me. I felt like I was running like a maniac on an out-of-control treadmill with things being fired at me. There might have been something interesting in my feed at 10am, but by the time I looked at 3pm it had all been swept away into oblivion by a hundred new things.

Maybe I'll get used to it and work out what it can do for me on the writing front, and for my other half for his freelancing work, but at the moment I'm not liking it much. Peering at a screen while a dozen thoughts a minute fly by doesn't feel like a good use of a life to me. I like to cogitate. To read one or two great articles and think about them for a while. I like things to stay with me, and there isn't space in my head for the sheer volume of facts and opinions on Twitter. But as I say, it's all new at the moment, no doubt I'll get the hang of it. I have an open mind. Although there isn't much space left in it, I'm nearing my max fill level.

43 comments:

  1. The blanket is looking good such an undertaking & I bet it is much loved. Harry put the quilt I made him at the bottom of his bed for the hound to lye on - fleecy side up! Ah well. I subscribed to Twitter once, it's not for me I'm to much of a blabber mouth - a sentence or two does not suit xx

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  2. I love the grey against the little pops of colour and am so glad that your son is pleased with it. Here's to snuggling up against the cold. xx

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  3. I have yet to knit a jumper I would wear out in public so I'm making a loose cardi, my thinking is if it makes me look like a sack of potatoes when its buttoned up I can always wear it undone.......well that's the plan, we shall see. Love the blanket, gorgeous colours.

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  4. Love the blanket, what a stunning heirloom made with love. The forecast is predicting a drastic drop in temperatures, frosts and snow but then they never seem to get it right. Stay warm.

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  5. With you re information overload! Could not think of using twitter!

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  6. I'm the same on Twitter. Can't cope with it all -- I feel like everyone is just talking at me all at once and I can never find the interesting things I half saw an hour ago. And are you meant to just randomly strike up a conversation with anyone you're following? And if not, I'd much rather talk to people I already know in pretty much any other sort of way. But then, a character limit is also no good for an inveterate waffler like me...

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  7. The blanket looks good, and a loose cardigan sounds like a good idea. I like Twitter, I'm there as @Sofaflyer, and much prefer it to FaceBook. Flighty xx

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  8. The blanket looks great, the coloured stripes look good against the grey and I'm pleased that your littlest boy loves it and the effort you have put into knitting it for him.
    I have also knitted a few jumpers for myself over the years but only one has ever fitted comfortably, a loose cardigan sounds like a good idea. I have knitted some beautiful baby clothes and many hats, beanies and jumpers for my children and grandchildren over the years, though these days knit fabric seems to be more popular.
    I only have time for my blog, I am far too busy for Twitter feeds, I am not on Facebook either as my life is not that interesting.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  9. That blanket is amazing!!! Love it!! Well done you. I bet your boy just loves it. x

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  10. Hey CJ,
    Twitter has never appealed to me. Just the name. Which rhymes with witter. I don't want any twittering or wittering assaulting my senses. Unless it's. Birds. But then I'm a bit stuck in the dark ages. If you unravel the secret of twitter, let me know.
    Leanne xx

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  11. I'm not interested in more social media, myself. I got off facebook over 5 years ago and, since, have pursued hobbies and interests and it has made me so happy. I feel so sad when I see people ignore the family and friends in front of them to swipe through their phones endlessly and mindlessly. My kids are growing up too fast as it is. I feel like I can't look away in case I miss it. There's no one whose 140 characters interests me enough that I would give up my precious free time (sewing time!) to read what they ate for breakfast, etc. Just my thoughts, though, to each their own! The blanket looks so perfect, no wobbles or kinks. Beautiful job :)

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  12. Your blanket is beautiful, CJ. I love the light colors against the dark gray, it's very dramatic. It looks warm and cozy too. I haven't tried Twitter, so I can't comment, but I think I'd find the same issues you have. I left Facebook over two years ago. I just couldn't find anything good about it anymore. I am on Instagram but I post fairly sporadically and often have trouble finding the time to scroll through my feed to see what others have posted. I know it's a good idea to have some social media presence when you're a blogger, but it would be easy to let it take over my life and I just can't have that. So sparse and sporadic it will have to be, and I like it this way.

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  13. What a very smart blanket that will grow with your boy. And beautifully knitted CJ. I don't do any social media except for blogging, and I don't even do that very well. My mum used to knit for me and I still wear two jumpers, a cardigan and a poncho that flew off her needles many years ago. I think that I will never be able to knit a garment as beautifully as she did, but that is defeatist talk. This morning I wore a hat, a cowl and mittens all knitted by me within the last year so maybe now is the time to challenge myself with a loose cardigan too - there are some really lovely patterns out there especially on the Madder website.

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  14. I don't Tweet. I once had a peek through the door but didn't see the appeal so haven't been back since. I wonder if you'd prefer Instagram? Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a very interesting resource. I also have a Facebook page but its more of an extension of my blog than a personal account.

    Your blanket is a beauty. I bet you're chuffed to bits.

    Hxx

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  15. I am not a huge Twitter fan either. I have an account, but never check it any more. I agree that the sheer volume of information being thrown at me is way too much. I do like Instagram for the pictures. I find it easier to scroll through images to capture a feeling than my brain trying to read through a bunch of short blurbs that have to fit in a specific word limit. I can just imagine you all cozy, knitting away. Sounds like the best way to unwind:) Hope you're having a great day, CJ, and staying warm:)

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  16. The blanket looks really lovely. I'm never far from a hot water bottle. Such a great invention. And we will need a hot water bottle- there may be snow on the way.

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  17. This is the trouble with modern technology, so much to see, so much to take in that we are in a whirl sometimes. I know I am.
    I have to make myself sit down with a book and tear myself away from the pc or ipad.
    Briony
    x

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  18. Your sons blanket is beautiful!!!! I am more than a little jealous of it!!!! A hottie and a candle and cuppa sounds lovely. Much nicer than twitter. I can cope with it in small doses, but not in big ones! xx

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  19. Bravo on your son's blanket! It's so classy and upscale looking.. tres chic! I just can't imagine how you knit something that wide! Twitter also has not "clicked" with me.. although I have it and post each of my blog posts on it, I never look at it. :-) Blogs are what keep me interested.. more story and photos.. much better. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  20. That blanket looks sooooo good CJ - I love it's simplicity, so stylish. Did you knit it on circular needles? I recently set up a Twitter account, mainly for work and because son had an account. I'm not a huge fan of facebook, I use it mainly to keep in contact with friends who don't live locally.
    Caz xx

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    1. Yes, I did use circular needles, really long ones. 140cm I think, something like that. Each row took forever. It was nice and warm to knit under though, I'm thinking I should start another one. CJ xx

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  21. What a gorgeous blanket for a boy, it looks so cozy. I must say that I just don't get Twitter, I use Facebook and Instagram and get on with them fine so I think I must be missing something with a Twitter - probably because I always use 20 words where one would do so find it difficult to keep to the limit and get my meaning across. Xx

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  22. The blanket is sweet. Love the color stripes.

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  23. I love the blanket, it's unique, I hope he keeps it forever. You're a clever lady.

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  24. Wow, I love what you made. I love the color combinations. It seems perfect for a boy, and yet also really beautiful (although I'm not really sure the littlest boy would like it described that way). I also really like the way the green in the pillow subtly goes with the green in the blanket. Great work! You should be proud!

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  25. That blanket is gorgeous CJ, the colours are perfect. It really must have taken forever to knit!

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  26. That's one gorgeous blanket. I love the design. I am on Twitter but rarely look at it or tweet because it does my head in. It requires more effort than I'm prepared to give it.

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  27. That is just gorgeous, well done you. It's so flawless and soothing to look at. The colours are perfect against the grey.

    I don't get twitter. I barely keep up with blogging and Instagram and haven't pinned anything in two years. The thought of another thing to do would tip me over the edge. X

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  28. Gorgous blanket cj ,since new yr i havnt twittered nor wore a watch ,and i do seem to have a bit more time,crazy ? who knows xx

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  29. I love the colours of the blanket, it looks great on the bed. :-)

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  30. Gorgeous blanket, clever lady :o) Nope, don't do Twitter here either. Our daughter put me off when she started an account. M asked her what she wrote on it and the reply was 'I'm bored.' XX

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  31. Wonderful job on the blanket and so glad that he loves it - that really makes all the effort worth it. As for Twitter - I'm not ashamed to say that I do not have an open mind. Just not necessary.

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  32. That blanket is wonderful! Great job!

    Twitter is too much for me. Facebook is about as pithy and trivial as I can handle. ;-) And I don't think I can limit myself to Tweet requirements.

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  33. That's a gorgeous blanket, I love those colours :)

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  34. Very pretty blanket! Your child will love it for many years ahead. I have a Twitter account but have never done anything with it.

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  35. gorgeous blanket xxx

    I just deleted everyone I followed on twitter except for Northumbria Police and the council safety alerts. Now for me it is just a source of useful information, I found the chatter too much....

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  36. Lovely blanket, and boys are hard to make for I think so great job. I unhooked from Twitter, too much nonsense. I don't think we need to be on every media site to do well. You are a lovely writer and blogger and this is why you are on my list of favorites.

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  37. Lovely blanket, and boys are hard to make for I think so great job. I unhooked from Twitter, too much nonsense. I don't think we need to be on every media site to do well. You are a lovely writer and blogger and this is why you are on my list of favorites.

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  38. The blanket is perfect, you did an amazing job. I joined Twitter just so I could go onit and try to get Little Buddy's photo that was stolen off of it. I have not been on it since and have no desire to. I really don't care, is that bad of me?
    Meredith

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  39. My brain was boggling there at the thought of using circular needles to knit a blanket. I was imagining a giant tube of knitting and wondering how you made that lovely blanket. I've googled and now I see. It looks fabulous on littlest boy's bed, he must be thrilled now it's finished.
    I can't be doing with Twitter or Facebook. I've wondered about Instagram but not joined it. You are right about an information overload, CJ. I suppose a career blogger needs to keep up with all aspects of social media but I certainly don't fall into that category! xx

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  40. I admire the blanket you made very much, CJ. In her book, Morehouse Farm Merino Knits by Margrit Lohrer, there is a photo of a blanket she made that reminds me of the one you made for your son. I want to make one like that as well, but the cost of Margrit's merino wool was more than I thought I could spend a few years ago so I bought a kit from her that was on sale and the blanket is made with bulky weight yarn. Even after slightly felting it I doubt it will have the smooth tight weave your blanket has and that I like. But I am determined to finish what I have started and I know it will be warm. As for Twitter, I have an account and have tweeted a few times a few years ago, but it is just one more communication medium for me to track. However, I know from a business standpoint it is recommended one should have a tweeting presence :) However, for me, Twitter is for the birds and faster communicators than I am in this season of my life. xx

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  41. It's such a lovely blanket. What stitch and wool did you use? How big is it?

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  42. Oh this blanket, it is so so beautiful and no doubt it is warm, too. Drops yarn is fantastic value for money I think, I love it. I can't even begin to imagine the dread of the long rows! You are obviously made of tougher stock than I am :-) As for Twitter, I am on in but hate it. We are gently pressurised to have a social media presence at work, apparently it is cool. We have conferences that are more or less life tweeted. Our administrator probably tweets when someone uses the bathroom. It makes me ill. I also don't do Instagram, nor am I on Pinterest. There must be others I don't even know of. I have a FB page, mainly for messaging between friends, for example organising and afternoon of sledging with multiple families is quicker with FB than phoning around because you can group message. Have a lovely week. x

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