October seemed to come and go quite quickly. Not a huge amount of anything was done except wonder if and when things would take a turn for the better and life would become more free and easy (in other words we’d be free from restrictions). The garden started to come alive so there was a bit of pottering done and rainy days meant there was a fair bit of reading done
As far as knitting went I actually had something else in mind but decided it easier to fish out a WIP (work in progress) and finish something‘simple and straightforward’ rather than get crotchety trying to work out increases & decreases at the same time as keeping different colours under control so plain and simple with easy stripes it was. A simple boat neck ….no designated back or front …..which means an ‘independent 2 yr old’ is able to ‘dress themselves’. Who else remembers the “me do it” stage??
After a conversation with a very excited younger (going to be a grandma) friend last week I’ve begun something much smaller and a lot more subdued in colour. Her daughter (mother to be) wants her newborn baby girl’s clothing to be soft (and girly??) so at her insistence soft pale colours it will be and as she’s not a knitter herself I was asked to make several cardigans as well as something like an old fashioned matinee coat, not lacy like feather and fan but plainer…I met up with ‘Grandma’ in an allowed meeting in the park where she looked over a selection of patterns and this (bottom left corner) is what we’ve agreed on. ‘Grandma’ will look at cardigan patterns another day and (all being well) Babe’s not due till May so there’s no hurry 😊
Feather and Fan stitch is often referred to as Old Shale – poking around on the net I found this article that disputes that and shows the reason why. I’m sure many knitters will find it interesting. The comments on the post are interesting reading also. Feather and Fan versus Old Shale
I’m between books at the moment. Actually it’s more like I’m‘book’d out’. The last one I read was The Yearling – Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a coming of age for the main character, a look at life in rural 1870’s Florida. Maybe it was the patter of speech used…..written and spelt as spoken, set in 1870’s Florida it wore me out trying to concentrate. I’ve read lots of books written in dialect but none so taxing as this one.
Better luck next time eh ??
Yarn Along can be found at Ginny’s. Do pop over to small things to see what others have worked on this past month.
Unravelled Wednesday hosted by Kat is here at As Kat Knits. Lots of knitting and reading to see there.
Still Waters 
I am told that my first word was NO. And only the tone of voice indicated whether it meant no, or yes.
And my first sentence was Do it self.
Love your knitting.
I haven’t read The Yearlings but did enjoy her memoir Cross Creek.
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The baby is not due until May. Why do I think there will be frantic knitting happening in April.
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I once had lots of baby books and patterns, but in a mad purge got rid of them as well as doll patterns and premature baby patterns and surprise, surprise have regretted it ever since.
I have read The Yearling twice and ended up in tears both times. So sad.
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I am a fairly accomplished knitter, but evidently not accomplished enough to know knitters argue about patterns.
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Can’t knit, won’t knit…but I remember being so cross when my young knitwear, made by aunts and cousins, was ‘handed down’ to younger cousins.
Later my mother went in for knitted garments in heather mixture…very itchy.
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I’m not a knitter but my mum made little jumpers and cardigans for my kids up to when they were about 5 or 6. They always look lovely and snuggly.
I like the stripey “me-do-it” boatneck!
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Crikey – some people worry about how to pay the bills or where the next meal is coming from, and others have the time and energy to argue over what to call a knitting pattern! I was a bit astounded that it actually mattered. Don’t you just see a lace you like, either get a pattern or work out how it is done and adapt it into a pattern you already have? (And then if it needs one give it a name like Amy’s cardigan, or Terry’s hat?) I must admit that knitting small people garments is very satisfying and you are lucky to have someone who really wants knitted clothes for their next generation. Can’t wait to see the finished results.
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I love the look of those patterns- so elegant- and how nice to have a new baby to knit for. Show and tell – I wonder if schools can do that anymore? Yes I do recall the me do it it phase, so frustrating for the times when you need them dressed half an hour ago! That jumper is a great idea.
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I wish that I could do as many things in a day that you do. I somehow am unable to find enough time to read as much as I would like to.
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I made a mistake by pulling out many W.I.P.s and my guest room and my office are filled with my best intentions.
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I seem to recall that crochet stitches both here and there (doesn’t matter which actual country) are different – particularly with trebles or similar. So you can definitely see how a “pattern” can be mislabelled or similar.
Love your little sweater, as I love all that you make. Interesting that a modern Mum wants “pastels”
And yes I do know how to knit and crochet – but now holding a crochet hook isn’t one of my things that my hands like.
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I remember more the “Me won’t do it” stage, most particularly a morning one went to day care in pajamas. The “me do it” seemed to emerge later and has never really disappeared even though they are in their 40’s. Maybe that is a good thing.
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Oh! I love “The Yearling”…both book and movie. And I love both the book and movie, “Cross Creek”, which is based on the true story of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the author…about how she came to write “The Yearling” etc.
If you’ve not seen “Cross Creek”, or read the book, Cathy…please do…I know you will love both.
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