You know what I haven’t done in too long? Written about knitting. Okay, I haven’t written here about much in the last few months. I’ve missed it and spinning a yarn tale is no exception.
This week I’ve cast off (in the “I’m too sick of this knit to continue” sense) the unfinishables which are crowding my knitting bag and began fresh. With another of Shannon‘s rocking knit alongs about to begin I’d been planning my escape from knitting doldrums (dare I suggest such a place exists?).
I have long been in love with this Carina Spencer design but in the end I couldn’t gather the courage or the appropriate member of my stash to cast on. But I found myself in much happier company as I suddenly realized that the perfect knit was right under my nose: The Downton Cowl. Perfectly suited for the Downton Abbey knit along, designed beautifully by Shannon herself, and in the wool I’d been petting most recently in my stash.
I cast on while the thrilling opening credits played on Sunday evening. I had no trouble following the lace pattern but it was not in the least dull. I’m loving it. And the tosh vintage is nothing short of marvellous.
Just the thing to sweep me out of the frustration of knitting blues.
When I’ve been picking up a book lately, I’ve been reading Till We Have Faces by C.S.Lewis. I bought it while I was in college and hadn’t read it since. I’m enjoying it although not quite sure what to say about it. Perhaps it is a little slower moving than I’d like it to be. Perhaps I’m still on the high of my last read(s)…
::Warning: Serious Nerd Alert::
I finished my return journey through the Lord of the Rings trilogy over the holidays and I cannot tell you enough how much I think you should read it. Haven’t read it? Please do. Already read it? Please read them again. I can’t stop geeking out over how much I enjoyed them this third or fourth time through. The characters, the scenery, the imagery, the adventure. I’ve heard the complaints that they are slow moving – but the complete package is so worth the sluggish chapters.
See why I’m having trouble moving on?
::
And now I must ask – are you working with needles or hook? I love to hear what others are working on! How about new year reads? Anyone got a great food or farm memoir to recommend? I need to fill up my library holds list again.
Thanks for stopping by – Happy Wednesday!
::joining Ginny for yarn along::
love the cowl pattern and the yarn is gorgeous!! I am trying to finish up a sweater that I had high dreams of wearing for Christmas (it continues to have NO sleeves). Maybe by February??
I must admit to never having read the LotR books. I really should? I tried The Hobbit many years ago and just couldn’t do it. Perhaps now is a good time, since my 9yr old is reading it. All this madtosh love is killing me. I am on a yarn diet! and that cowl will be gorgeous. Oh and I do so love a bit of Downton Abbey.
my knitting bag is full of things that i need to finish up. currently working on a beret. this year i would like to get a little more risky with my knitting. so looking forward to trying a few things out. reading some books by mary roach-bonk, life after death?. okay, listening. reading mysteries and nonfiction at home. lol. i’ve been meaning to watch downtown abbey, too.
So nice to see you again. You are such a fabulous knitter, you need to keep on with it girl!
I knit on easy things here and there while watching movies on TV with my hubbie, but other than that, I just can’t call myself a knitter. : (
I’m so jealous that you’ve gotten so far on that cowl already! I’ve barely cast on! I love that wool, so rich and colourful!
that yarn is amazing! what is it??
Yay! So excited you’re making the Downton Cowl and you are loving it! I had such a fun time making it too.
That yarn color is delish and I can’t wait to see it knit up! xoxo
Your cowl is so beautiful Rachel and that yarn is especially lovely.
I have yet to see any of the Downton Abbey episodes and I really must
fix that, I have a sister that just loves it!
Oh Rachel, you made me sign up for the knit-along too! 🙂 I only just ordered the yarn (My first lace! Eek!), but then Downton Abbey’s season 3 is sadly finished here already!
The cowl is going to look gorgeous in that yarn!
I was knitting away as I watched Sunday night myself. So love that show! That cowl looks stunning and your yarn…gorgeous! Good luck with the water!
That yarn is lovely as is that lace pattern.
What a fun KAL! How exciting! Thanks for sharing…
And your yarn is divine!
Happy New Year Rachel! Oh I love how you nerd out. I read most of the trilogy once and need to get back in it. My son has started The Hobbit and I have to seriously resist taking that book to read myself. Glad you are out of the knitting doldrums. That yarn and your project look marvelous. What better way to enjoy Downton than by knitting along with it.
xo,
Ang
PS Thanks for the heads-up about my link. It has definitely been one of those weeks!
Ah Lord of the Rings is a huge hit around this household! I too am looking for a new book to read…I don’t think I’ve read Till We Have Faces…although your glowing recommendation doesn’t have hem excited Rachel:) Love the cowl and of course Downton…
That yarn is so yummy! That cowl pattern looks great. I’m in need of a good cowl pattern, maybe that is the one for me.
maybe I do need to venture through the lord of the rings again…..oh, my—so many years ago, I honestly don’t remember a thing about them; but i really really understand the way it’s so hard to get into another book after finishing a great one!!!
(love the cowl!!!)
The yarn is beautiful. I”m looking at the cowl and LOVING it. Good luck!
My husband is completely surprised that I have not jumped on the Downton Abbey bandwagon since I love all things British.
Maybe I’ll see if my local library has the first two season and I can catch up on what’s going on.
Glad to see you back knitting again! YAY!!
A Downton Abbey cowl? Hmmm, I know a seventeen year old who is looking for a new challenge(knitwise)and will be ecstatic.
Blessings, Debbie
dear rachael, i love that you found your knit and it is oh so beautiful! the color of your wool, the pattern, really gorgeous. i’m behind too as i’ve never seen the downton show, maybe this will be the year.
i LOVE the LOTR trilogy and the Hobbit. and i do know what you mean, when i’m reading it it feels like i’ve entered another plane (middle earth!) it’s magic and i want to stay.
enjoy your knitting!
Oh my gooodness, Downton knit along?? My mind is going a million miles a minute! I hope I have something in my stash that will work for this! Love that cowl pattern.
Oh, Till We Have Faces is one of my favorites. Have you seen the C.S. Lewis biopic, Shadowlands? It’s a wonderful movie with Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. Definitely worth watching for a glimpse into his life.