Yarn Along – Almost a knitted blanket

30 comments

Its Wednesday, so time to share this week’s reading and what’s on the knitting needles.

To start, I have finished my cardigan, except for the buttons. Once the buttons are made and I can borrow a willing model, then I’ll post up a photo. Also hoping for a bit of sun, to show the variation of the dark wool.

While I wait, I’ve picked up my knitted blanket project. I’ve started to knit the bands between the squares and sew the pieces together. It looks a bit straggly at the moment as I sew odd bits together, but I should have it finished by next week. It is coming together quite fast. Typical of me. I spend ages umming and ahhing, while the actual doing flies by. Its all in the planning or should I say procrastination.

I have been knitting the bands, three at a time. Each band is only ten stitches wide. By having three bands and thirty stitches on my needles at the same time, it cuts down the knitting time taken as I’m not turning so often. It is a fairly mindless knit which is brilliant for doing while I help the children with homework or listening to them read. I’m far more patient if I’m knitting.

Moving on to books. I’m still reading The Hive. I will be for some time. The history of humans and bees is fascinating. Just been reading about how we used to have a theory that baby bees came from dead oxen. Partly arose as the flight of the queen bee had not been observed. We used to believe that it was a king bee who ruled the hive rather than a queen bee. It seems laughable now, but stories from history always make me wonder what we totally believe in now that will seem unbelievable in another 1000 years. Maybe even in a few centuries.

Now for the children’s recommendations. Over the weekend, we were near Oxford, so popped into the Barefoot Books store. This is a real treat for the children, and we limited them to one book only. While the grown-ups drank coffee and tea, the children spent time choosing. AJ went for Stories from the Opera. She loves the pictures and the stories. It inspired some interesting play when we got home. Orchestrated by her and involving the other two. I love when a book inspires them. We’ve not taken her to an opera, but maybe this is the summer to do so.

BL chose the World Atlas, which she completely loves. She has been pouring over it at every opportunity. It ties up nicely with the work that they have been doing at school, connected to the Olympics this summer. TF fell for a book about Knights. He listens intently to the stories and points out details in the pictures. How my boy loves knights and their swords! I’m enjoying reading this to him. I love folk tales and each story told is from a different country.

Last night, just as I tucked him up in bed, he asked whether he could keep the book. So many of his reads recently have been from the library. When I told him that it was his, for as long as he wanted it, he hugged his new book to him.

If you are up for some more book and yarn chat, hop over to Ginny‘s for the Yarn along. I’ll be over later, once the children are tucked up in bed.

30 comments

  1. ‘The Hive’ looks fascinating, I’ve just ordered it for my dh’s b’day next month. I know what you mean about our beliefs. When Brian Cox (who I think is great 😀 ) was doing one of his shows I remember thinking ‘how can you be soooo sure that we have all the right answers now?’ I’m sure there will be many things we have taken as fact that turn out to be wrong. Bit deep for a Wednesday morning lol!

    1. Not a light read, but a good one. I think even Brian Cox would agree with you. Can’t completely remove the concept from its surroundings! A bit heavy for a Thursday morning too! 😀

  2. Aw my little boy asks where his book comes from each time we look at one! We go to the library a lot too lol. You blanket is looking so good, I really like the border colour…waiting for your ‘ta da’ moment 🙂 x

  6. Excellent books selections! My daughter and son-in-law are living in Oxford while he attends school there in pursuit of his doctorate. So lovely there from all the photos I’ve seen. Looking forward to visiting them, Lord willing, in 2013. Nice colors you’ve used on your blanket! Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my yarn along post — it’s always so nice to have visitors. 🙂

    Blessings, ~Lisa

  7. Your blanket looks lovely–all those squares-wow what a big undertaking. I never thought to knit and listen to my boy read–what a grand plan! Your words about your children and their new books are so endearing. Reminds me of myself when I was their ages.

    1. I can vouch for the advantages of knitting and listening, but the knitting has to be easy. Not lots of counting.

  9. Your blanket is going to be lovely – the colours are so pretty together.
    When the sun pops out down your way, would you be a honey and send it over here too?

    1. The children have a great love of books. One of them came home one day, full of the news that one boy in her class didn’t have any books at home. Probably not the whole story, but she has quite shocked.

    1. I have a tendency to remember something in the middle of one of his sentences and then jump up and do it. If I’m knitting, then it never happens! I am so much more patient and ready to sit. It works for me!

  12. Oh wow!!! Love their choice of books!!! So jealous that you live within reach of a barefoot book shop. You have no idea how jealous!!! And yet we would possibly be bankrupt if that were the case!!! My little guys ask all the time: “Are you going to buy books at the library tonight?” They know you only buy them for a week or two and then you have to take them back!!!

    1. That is so sweet. I like the idea of “buying” a book for a short time. Kind of do that with the new charity book shop that has opened near by. Takes up less room in our bookshelves.

      Oxford is far enough away that it is a treat. I’ts easy to buy the books direct from them through their ambassadors, but, oh, for the children nothing beats the real experience of browsing the books in a real shop. 😀

  13. Your blanket’s coming together and looking fabulous…………….so sweet how thrilled your youngest was when he realised his new book was his to keep forever. x

    1. He has caught on to the fact that library books have a protective cover, but he still likes to check. They all love books….but so do I! 😀

  14. Good idea about the knitting whilst reading. I used to often fall to sleep whilst reading to Hannah when she was tiny and my husband would come upstairs looking for me…mind you she did want me to read for a long, long time and kept me up a lot in the night!

    The Barefoot Bookstore sounds lovely…I hadn’t heard of it before. I’m sure the children will really treasure those books.

    1. I’ve been known to close my eyes whilst listening too! Even as a grown up it is still lovely, and relaxing, to be read to. Knitting helps to keep me alert. So far, at least!

  15. oooh – can’t wait to see the finished blanket!! what fun!!

    i went to a barefoot book store a few years ago when i was in nyc – it was completely wonderful! i wish i had one closer to my home!!

    1. I’ve heard about the stores out in the US. They have been open a bit longer. Lovely store in Oxford. I’m sure the rest are too. 🙂

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