Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along at Small Things.
No sunny outside picture of the blanket this week, rather an inside sofa shot. The best place to be when it's wild and windy. The funfair at the Christmas lights switch-on (I know) was cancelled yesterday evening because of the high winds. The lights are on now anyway, and probably will be until halfway through January. That's two months. One-sixth of the year. Seems a little excessive does it not.
I'm still knitting up and down these long, long blanket rows. The balls of wool are disappearing fast, I think I only have three left. Might need more. I have discussed the colour of the last stripe (at length) with the littlest boy. I think we are agreed, although I cannot for the life of me remember what exactly it was we agreed on. There will be trouble if I get it wrong.
I started reading Case Histories by Kate Atkinson, but I fear it may not be the book for me. Such misery and gloom. I really don't have the patience for it. I know lots of people love Kate's books, so I'm trying to give it a fair crack of the whip, but there are too many excellent books out there waiting to be read for me to press on with such dismal fare. Women who don't like their children (any of them), who don't like having more children, who don't like life, who are just really, really glum about everything. No, I don't want to hear about you, go away.
If I should stick at it, please let me know. I shall listen to you, you know I will. But I'm casting longing glances at the next book in the pile.
Your knitting is so fine, CJ! In my imagination, my Merino wool blanket I am knitting with bulky weight yarn is supposed to look like yours...but it doesn't. Cheers for your progress, and I do hope you get the color of that last stripe right! As for the book, I have not read it, but I avoid reading about doom and gloom as much as possible! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on not bothering with books you are not enjoying - life is too short to spend it reading stuff which isn't interesting and enjoyable. Hope you get the last colour on the boy's blanket right or there will be unpicking and tears before bedtime no doubt. Two months of electricity sounds over the top when we are all trying to save resources I agree!
ReplyDeleteoh the blanket is looking lovely. I hate it when I don't want to finish a book, but sometimes giving up is the best.
ReplyDeleteput it back on the shelf for the future,i didnt fare well with it either,i go to book club and we say iff you read 46 pages and your not enjoying it ,dont bother reading on !!!!! you can come back to it cj,blanket looks great too ,hope you remember which colour ,have fun x
ReplyDeleteLife is too short for reading doom and gloom, there is enough in the world without devoting your reading to it as well. Beautiful blanket, love the colours. The winds have been really bad here too. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is looking great - I love the skull and crossbones one too. The only books I persevere with to the bitter end are ones for book group, otherwise if I'm not enjoying it I give up; life's too short! Good luck with that last stripe. xx
ReplyDeleteYou are a dedicated knitter to take on a blanket, the grey is looking great with its coloured stripes. I agree, there is enough misery in the world without reading books on the subject or watching dreary films, I like something with substance that leaves me feeling happy and entertained.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
You're going to have the blanket finished just in time for the littlest boy to snuggle down with this winter, great timing. I usually persevere with books which aren't grabbing me and I usually end up enjoying them. There's actually only one book that I can remember giving up on and that was The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I just couldn't get in to that one even though everyone else seemed to rave about it.
ReplyDeleteWell done with the blanket. Give up reading the book and start another! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteOh! The colors of a blanket look so good together! It will become a gorgeous FO!
ReplyDeleteI understand your apprehensions about the book but I actually really liked it. I thought it got much better the more I read. But if you're done with it, stop. Life is much too short to continue with a book you don't want to read. Your blanket is beautiful, I really love the idea of a knitted blanket. I can't imagine being that good at knitting, ever, but I can dream.
ReplyDeleteLife is far too short, especially if there is another book on the pile you'd rather read. I had a look at the synopsis and I don't think the subject matter would appeal to me. Your blanket is beautiful, what a lucky boy your littlest is to have this blanket to cosy up with and what a lot of love and enjoyment is going into the knitting of it.
ReplyDeleteI do like your blanket - I love it's simplicity, the stocking stitch and stripes. I have got to that time in my life that if I don't like a book very much I either forget it or skim read it. You asked about Alexander McCall Smith - his books are very easy to read, I titter in places, but they become much of a muchness after a while.
ReplyDeleteHappy knitting
Caz xx
Sigh. I love knitting blankets and yours looks perfect! That's my happy place - under a blanket in progress. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you about Kate Atkinson. She writes well but she is nearly always depressing...how much can we take. If you are like me once started you have to finish! Hopefully your next choice will be more cheery, and I would stay away from Kate. B x
ReplyDeleteYou should read my last book, "Martin Marten" by Brian Doyle. It's more uplifting that what it sounds like you're reading. I had to stop reading "Sacajewea" because there was so much horrific stuff in it. I don't think I'll ever go back and finish it. LOVE your knitted blanket.. are you using a circular needle? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your beautiful knitting! It is wonderful!! Hope that the reading picks up a bit! xx
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's too soon for Christmas lights - I haven't really started to think about it yet. Your knitting is a lovely shade of grey and I like the coloured stripes, and very neat too. I think littlest boy will love his blanket. As for the reading, I agree that if you're just not feeling it, that's a good reason to give up. After all, reading for pleasure should be fun :)
ReplyDeleteCathy x
My, that blanket looks lovely and soft. Can you whip one up for me when you're done? :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm not one to read glum tales either so I'd say move on if you're not enjoying it. Plenty of cheerful, uplifting tales out there to be had instead xx
Hey CJ,
ReplyDeleteObviously I love the blanket. And after you've finished CT's, can I be the next in line? Ditch the book. I used to struggle on until the bitter end, but not any more. I like Kate Atkinson, but I don't think I've read that one. I've started 'The Diary Of A Farmer's Wife 1796-1797' It's marvellous! At the end of the first chapter, she says "Men be quite tiresome at times." I can empathise with her already ;))
Leanne xx
That blanket looks lovely. So soft. Really strong winds on this side of the country too. I think it's Barney's fault this time.
ReplyDeleteI read this book but it hasn't left a lasting impression apparently because I can't remember a thing. I love your cosy blanket, it is getting so big now. The shade of grey is so so lovely and the stripes are very cheerful. I hope you can remember the last colour! x
ReplyDeleteI have enough trouble staying awake even for good books so I certainly wouldn't be persevering with one that made me despondent before I nodded off. That's a beautiful blanket. Cold weather is on its way.
ReplyDeleteWow, that blanket looks super cosy! I love the colours you've chosen (grey being my current favourite colour). I wish I had the patience to sit and knit that much wool - I have to do mine in little spurts of activity so crochet blocks are the way to go for me. I agree that there are too many other books waiting to cheer us up to spend time persevering with one that's all doom and gloom. I've been reading an Alice Munro book of short stories; she writes really beautifully but at the end of each tale, I think, "oh." It's a bit like waiting for the punch line which never comes. I've temporarily given up and moved to another book. Hope you have a good weekend, Caro x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blanket. I'm seriously impressed. I have read all of Kate Atkinson's books and I did enjoy Case Histories – I don't always like the characters but I do like her writing. But too many books, too little time. If you're not into it by a third of the way through, I'd junk it and read something else! Sam x
ReplyDeleteCJ, that blanket looks so warm and cozy - just the thing to be working on when it is dreary weather outside. Enjoy this last push to the finish line!
ReplyDeleteWhat a rich looking blanket. I love the occasional stripes.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are constantly bombarded by all the nasty and negative things going on out there - in every form of information - TV, radio, newspaper, online, gossipy neighbors - I see no need to deliberately force more doom and gloom on oneself. Am fully aware of the troubled world we live in, and doing my best to alleviate some of it, so will stick to reading fun stuff.
ReplyDelete"but there are too many excellent books out there waiting to be read for me to press on with such dismal fare." this a million times. However I was chuckling at your assessment and reasoning ... this might actually be the book for me ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket, really I feel like I need to knit the world gray.
Ooh CJ, I really like your blanket and can't wait to see it finished and spread out in all its glory. As for the book, I'd probably give up before I get anywhere near half way. Have a great weekend. Jane xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blanket! I love the look of it and the colors. It sounds like you are having the most perfect weather for knitting and reading! I hope you start enjoying the book, or at least enjoy the next one. Sorry to hear about the Christmas light switch-on being cancelled.
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket. As far as the book, I use to finish every book no matter what. But, like you, I feel life is too short to waste it on a book that 1) doesn't interest me, 2) bores me to tears, or 3) makes me sad or angry. I say quit it now and move on to something you will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe blanket is looking wonderfully woolly! I hope you get the last stripes right :-) Definitely put that book down and move on to something more cheerful. I can't be doing with depressing reads! xx
ReplyDeleteThe blanket is looking wonderful Don't finish it too fast, you'll appreciate it's warmth on these cold nights. I enjoyed the Case Histories books on the whole but seriously, don't persevere with a book you don't enjoy. Life's too short! x
ReplyDeleteI love grey in a blanket such a great colour to add other splashes. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Jo x
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