Sunday 2 January 2022

Last and first

Yesterday I finished the first panel of a blanket that my mother requested. It was nice to finish something on the last day of the year. So I thought I'd start a new project today, and that maybe a new tradition could be here! The book is one of my Christmas presents, prayers written during Lockdown by the spiritual director of the Corrymeela Community. Beautiful, and challenging, just like Corrymeela!
So, because my great and greatly talented chum, Niqi, gave me socks for all the family, in four balls of sock yarn, I thought I'd better make a start! Glittery fairy lights sparkle wool from West Yorkshire Spinners - hopefully I'll have a pair of Christmas socks for this (hard to say?) 2022, even if my three wise men have a longer journey! And this is the only sock pattern I've ever been able, once and slowly, to complete!
Books-wise, here's the rest of the holiday reading, though the pile of new books is generously and deliciously high! I'm flicking through magical plans for a rabbit in a new school uniform. It's for a wee chum who will hopefully hear in the Spring that she has a place in the school of her heart's desire. And yesterday's finishing included this absolutely magical collection of tales from snowy forests. It came from our woodsman chum, and thank you very much indeed! If you are in need next year of new festive bookish joy, I could not recommend this little jewel more highly!

Wishing you great success in all your projects - and hoping that you'll finish them much more quickly than me...

8 comments:

Angela said...

I have a wonderful 2 needlesock pattern, which got misplaced in the move. And a new book of 4 needle & circular needle sock patterns waiting to be attempted. I have a lot of 4 ply yarn in glorious shades left over from my weather scarf. But have yet to decide on a pattern and cast on...

M.K. said...

Mags, do post photos of your blanket and socks and other lovely yarn projects as you work your way through them. I tried socks twice. Recently I heard a knitting expert say that it's very important to knit socks using actual SOCK YARN, as opposed to any other yarn (which is what I did). Otherwise your socks will wear out very quickly, which is what mine did, of course :) So ... I might try again, with real sock yarn.

Fat Dormouse said...

Would you be up for the challenge of knitting a small Badger? If so, plese let me know...

GretchenJoanna said...

Tales from snowy forests...? That does sound nice.

I agree with M.K. -- we need lots of photos. Is that a glimpse of the mentioned blanket-for-mother, at top, behind the book?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It does seem like a good time to try for a new tradition. Much better than resolutions.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Mags! Oh, I must have that book!
Maybe I'll finish something today! Maybe!

Lisa Richards said...

The Scandinavian Christmas book does look delightful! Good luck on those socks! :)

GretchenJoanna said...

PomPom, which book were you referring to? I find that when someone posts a picture of the very book they are reading, it always makes me want it! Because I want to open it up right away, and look inside... I have been trying to learn restraint. But you challenge me, Mags!

Sandra said...

SOCKS! The bane of my existence. The one time I tried socks, knitting with a friend, she looked over at me, dropped her knitting and said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
Um, knitting a sock...?
"Give it here, let me look."
It turns out I was knitting inside out and backwards but still a sock.
A dark talent, but mine nonetheless.
In response to your comment on my blog, I said I was going to try sock knitting again. I lied.
I have a lovely grayish chunky wool on the needles; a man's scarf, although for the life of me I can't imagine why a man's scarf.
It is pretty though.
Not as beautiful as your blanket...WHEW! All those bobbles and cables...Very Impressive! and Beautiful!
God of the Fallen Grain brings to mind in order for bread to be eaten, grain must be broken. In order for wine to be drunk, grapes must be crushed.
I should be able to bench press a elephant by now.
-wry laughter-
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

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