Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Yarn Along - Silk stockings MiLady!

Nearly there, just enough time to finish these Taproot mittens for my father in law and all my christmas knitting will be done, just as well really as I have a million other things that need doing.
I've mentioned my f.i.l here before!  Papy Bob, as the kids call him, is quite a character!  And if he's told me once, he's told me a million times, that when he was younger his mother would  knit him mittens that she lined with silk stockings!!  So this year, I took, what I believe was a hint, and am making him a pair.

The lady in the haberdashery (closest thing we have to a yarn store for about 60 km) was doubled up laughing when I told her my silk stocking story and told me I'd be much better of using polar fleece.  Almost at the end of mitten one and I'm having my doubts about the fleece!  I think it may end up making them too tight, so I may just stick to Mémé Hélèlen's 'pantyhose' method after all.
Also just finished  a super quick lace cowl for my m.i.l, just need to block it and it'll be ready to wrap.
Throughly enjoying Lady Almina - And The Real Downton Abby, which chronicles the life of luxury that the Earl and Lady of Carnarvon enjoyed at Highclerc Castle - the setting for the fictional TV series Downton Abby- before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
At the start of the war many wealthy families, not only turned their homes and estates into hospitals for wounded soldiers, but they financed all the running costs.  Highclerc Castle was no exception, and Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, proved to be an exceptional nurse and philanthropist.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has been making over at Ginny's Yarn Along today.

12 comments:

  1. Your projects look like they are coming along nicely. You did give me a laugh with this story and the store clerk.

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  2. I bet silk stocking work great in the mittens. In my skinny days, I had a set of silk 'long johns'. They fit great under clothes and kept me toasty warm. The cowl looks beautiful.

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  3. so many people are knitting up those mittens, such a great pattern. :)i hope lining them goes well. :)

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  4. Thanks for the book suggestion. I will definitely be looking for that one! And your scarf looks fantastic by the way.

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  5. Beautiful knits. I should try those mittens, they are quite popular!

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  6. Beautiful cowl - and what a fun book! I love Downton Abbey, so I bet I'd love that book!

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  7. I hope you find something to line those beautiful gloves, I would be worried about putting my fingernail through stockings as a liner!

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  8. Love that cowl! The yarn looks soft and wonderful.

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  9. Lovely cowl.....and the mittens!! what a crazy story....lined with silk stockings???? Never heard of this...will be anxious to hear how that works out. Glad you have the end of the holiday knitting in sight.

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  10. Beautiful cowl, and cool mittens! Can't wait to see what you end up lining them with.

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  11. Hello Emma

    Do you happen to have a written pattern / chart of the cowl you made? I'm looking for the pattern to make a sweater for a customer.
    Good luck with the stockings. Regula

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  12. Funny story!
    I keep meaning to have a go at those family mittens.
    Your reading sounds really dreamy :o)

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