Blocking

If you had read my previous ramblings about blocking you will know I was in two camps, especially since I have never had to do it.

Whilst at the hardware store I noticed 9 interlocking play mats for £4. Yes, only £4. Obviously, I bought them as this was a bargain I could not leave. I had seen on Amazon blocking mats that were £35 for exactly the same thickness and size, the only difference was the Amazon ones had squares so you could measure the knitted item on it to block. This is really not something that I required as I have plenty of tape measures so why bother. I bought a box of T pins for £2.49 and have all I need for the job saving £28.51p. Bargain!

I had made two of the squares for the Great American Afghan one of them was smaller than the other and needed blocking to the correct size, so I put my purchases to the test. I admit, I was very happy with the result. Both squares at now the same size. All I have to do is the other 22 squares. Who knows when that will be finished as my knitting is like my reading, I swap to different projects/books all the time back and forth.

Circular Blanket – Complete

This is the third blanket of this design I have made. I made us one a good few years ago, then M’s mum which we got back a few weeks ago after her death, and this final one is for the bedroom. One thing I was not happy about is a line that has appeared within the knitting where the rounds meet, and this is not on any of the other blankets, and I have made it exactly the same way and with the same needles. It will be placed over the headboard, so the line will be hidden, but again, not a happy bunny.

Pattern: A Bit of Iceland
Designer: Stephen West
Yarn: Women’s Institute

31 Days of Music – Day 23

To quote Mary Hopkins “Those were the days my friend…”, I am giving you a bit of nostalgia from my gig-going past. Back in 1989, I went to see Engine (another band from the banks of the Mersey) at the Tivoli in North Wales, never realising that it was being filmed as it was a last-minute gig that D asked me to go to. I had at the time never heard of them as my music focus was on the dark side, i.e. Goth. Somewhere in the crowd is me. At most gigs, we have managed to get close to the front, but I cannot remember if we managed it on that gig. So today’s offering is I’m A Bad Dog by Engine.

Just as a bit of fun, Mary Hopkins sang “Those were the days”, which was produced by Paul McCartney (Beatles) 52 years ago.