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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Winding My Way


With the good news that my little niece was back on her way home after an unexpected return to the hospital, my fingers returned to the border of her blanket. She was deemed perfect yet again, and she needs her gift. I am "this close" to being done. I just need to sew on the border and wrap it up. The border took much longer than expected. (for those asking, she was admitted for a fever. it was deemed due to dehydration. all is well now)

Since the blanket is almost off my list, I have been filling up the queue. After being bit by the crochet bug with the baby's hat, I decided to participate in Blair's Granny Square Sampler Project. I am actually quite excited. Eamon and I watched the videos she suggested, and we are well versed in the ways of the granny square. He is quite certain he can make a few too. I am hoping it becomes a bit of a family blanket. I fondly recall curling up under an afghan my mom made. In typical 70s style, it was green, yellow and brownish orange. I tried to follow a different palette when picking colors for our blanket. I used what I had here and supplemented with a bit of cascade 220 from webs (for those in the search, their anniversary sale ends this week cascade 220 was $5.99). I spent yesterday afternoon with yarn wrapped on children's arms or my feet until finally settling on the chair method. I balled for quite awhile, but now I am ready. I have a few easy squares to make to catch up.

I believe the granny project will be a bit easier, since it is parsed out weekly, so I added something else to my list. I am going to make a stripe study shawl. I have had the pattern in my queue for quite a while. I decided if I want to make the color affection shawl, I need to get moving on this one. I am using madeline tosh merino light for this project. I had the sense to have it already wound and ready to go. With two projects plus the stagnating two pairs of socks I have on needles, I joined in with Camp Loopy to knit this one. It is run by The Loopy Ewe (another of the online shops, I prefer). I like prizes, camaraderie and a deadline.

With all the fiber work, I still plan to read. I am finishing up Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep, and Enough Wool to Save the Planet , which I am rather liking. I also started The Sense of an Ending. I am not sure how I feel about this one. It may be more enlightened than I am currently, since my reading is rather disjointed and distracted most times. I have about 30 more pages to read. Next week I will let you know.

For all those following along, what are you winding, knitting, crocheting and reading?

23 comments:

  1. I have so many fond memories of those crazy blankets...it seemed like everyone else's house had one on the back of the couch, but my mom didn't crochet so we were given one.

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    1. They were quite the thing, weren't they!

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  2. Heather, that is too funny that we did it again this week! Now I am curious as to what next week will hold for us! :)
    I am so glad to hear your niece is ok, my heart stopped there for a minute. I am just so excited for you and know you can't wait to see her.
    Sheep don't mind hot temps? Oh dear, maybe I have some fencing to do!
    Have a great yarn along day.

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    1. Not sure, but I know goats don't care and neither do llamas. You could change your fiber source.

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  3. Anonymous7:04 AM

    sheepish again, this is the second blog I have come across in yarn along who is reading this book (also clover) I will def. have to read it!
    have a good week,
    Louisa

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  4. I too need to check out Sheepish especially since both you and Tracey are reading it! I so want to learn to make granny squares but can't figure it out for the life of me. I'll have to check out the links you posted to see if they help me.

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    1. Do watch the videos. They give step by step instructions.

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  5. Like others have said, I am now intrigued to read Sheepish! :)

    Glad to hear your niece is doing well!

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  6. I love the colors in your yarn basket. I'm so glad to hear that your niece is doing well. I'm sure she'll love your blanket.

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  7. You all have convinced me that I need to get Sheepish now! Guess I know what I am downloading this weekend.

    Your basket with the balls of yarn look so inviting. I just want to sit and knit right now.

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  8. Such pretty yarn in such a pretty basket. Can't wait to see the finished blanket...

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  9. I love all those colors spilling out of your basket! Your blanket will be gorgeous!!!!

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  10. That is one gorgeous photo of yarn!!! Great shot. Glad your niece is doing well. Can't wait to see your striped study shawl. (I made affliction)

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  11. Anonymous10:06 AM

    That was the only reason why I went to WEBS on Sunday. You can't be $5.99 for Cascade 220.

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  12. I am glad to read that all is well with your niece, now.
    Sheepish looks very interesting - I will check that one out.
    I have been winding yarn for a new project this week - it's exciting, isn't it?!

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  13. Anonymous11:27 AM

    I really like the colors you chose! Have fun!!

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  14. i am knitting nothing. tired of frogging everything. so i just stare at my knitting basket with disdain. but i am reading grapes of wrath, so that is good. :)

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  15. I so glad your little niece is feeling better.
    I love granny squares. I've really got to get around to learning how to crochet one of these days.

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  16. Anonymous3:27 PM

    Would love to see the finished blanket! Maybe next week :-) Good to hear, your niece is fine now. All the best to you and your family, Heather, with best regards from overseas

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  17. I am so happy your niece is fine and back home again. One of these days I will be crocheting granny squares too. Those 70's colors make me laugh, but I kind of miss them.
    xo,
    Ang (peach coglo)

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  18. Glad to hear your neice is ok, so scary when they are so small!! I have a granny square crochet blanket in all sorts of colours, lovingly made for me by my mum, its ugly and I love it!!

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  19. Anonymous9:19 PM

    Oh, so glad your niece is doing well. It is amazing what dehydration (even a little) can wreak on the body. Love that basket :)

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  20. I'm so glad that your little niece is much better Heather and love the family blanket project.

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