Jennifer at Thistlebear is hostessing a Winter Project Link Party and I am daring to see if I can succeed in participating!
This Blanket's Story
Over three years ago I purchased this blanket in kit form from Morehouse Farm in Milan, NY. About seventeen years ago I lived on the west bank of the Hudson River, nearly 100 miles north of N.Y. City. During those fifteen years there, while I experimented with various needlecraft projects, I had no idea that Margrit Lohrer and Albrecht Pichler were creating the wonderful Morehouse Farm just a few miles south of me on the opposite side of the river. Sigh...
So far I have only visited Morehouse Farm through my computer and Margrit's beautiful book, MOREHOUSE FARM Merino Knits. Even while I was visiting in NY last Fall I was unable to visit the farm.
Recently I got an email announcing that Margrit and Albrecht are selling the business because of Margrit's ill health. I pray for her healing, and I thank both Margrit and Albrecht for investing their lives in the wonderful process of making incredibly soft merino wool yarn, along with developing clever patterns and kits for folks like me.
One quote from Margrit's book that really resonates with me is, "My approach to knitting is pretty simple: I want to knit, knit, and knit some more. My favorite projects are yards of scarves and acres of blankets. Stop and go projects bother me--stop and check, stop and read, stop and count--they don't give me time to think. Knitting is the time when I digest the day's events, my life's and the world's."
While I am not a daily knitter, Margrit's words describe what my mind likes to do as I knit or crochet. I like to think about other things than stitching. I like to listen to stories or think about stories about my life and the lives of others in the world.
In other posts I have despaired about my lack of progress on completing this blanket, but typing about it in this post has renewed my original pleasure in the color and style of it. I am enjoying practicing continental knitting making it, and I am making progress, even if slowly.
Thanks for inviting me to the Winter Project Link Party. I am enjoying attending, Jennifer, and am encouraged by your progress on your blanket. I hope others join our celebration!
Gracie xx
The yarn looks wonderful, such a beautiful colour. I too have picked up an abandoned project to try and get going again.
ReplyDeleteI plan on joining in with Jennifer myself, it will be goon incentive to get things done. I think the quote is perfect, and it applies to knitting, crochet, needle work, painting, drawing and everything else. Just the fact that we have found something that helps clear our heads and keeps us grounded is a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Gracie,
Meredith
Hi Gracie, I'm so glad you're joining in. Your blanket is going to be beautiful! That yarn is very pretty. It looks like it will be a very snuggly blanket too. I'd never heard of Morehouse Farm before but I think I remember passing by exits for Milan on the Taconic Parkway. I had a boss at one of my high school jobs in a grocery store who came from Milan and if I remember correctly, they pronounce it like MY-lan, not the way it would be pronounced in Italy. I hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAs always Gracie, your post makes me think. I like the same type of projects. Where I don't have to think about them, but rather, I can think of other things. Your blanket is beautiful and I look forward to seeing it's progress through the winter months. Have a wonderful, wonderful week my friend. Blessings, Betsy
ReplyDeleteThose are such lovely colours what a great idea to join in with Jennifer and hopefully expand your blanket. The sound of skylarks are here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkk7bnTG5JM
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Oh, I love this post and I'm so happy that I joined in to the winter project along and found your blog! The quote that you included above is so beautiful and truly embodies the heart of knitting - the peace you feel from the process, it's not all about the finished object. There are emotions and thought knit into every stitch and it becomes a treasured memento when it's finished. Your yarn looks so soft and what a lovely blanket you will have! Aren't we clever to know how to knit?!? ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness.. that blanket is a family heirloom for sure! Makes me want to knit a blanket. I've only crocheted blankets before. I'm off to swim soon.. might call you to discuss your blog thoughts. Can you believe this weather? Just amazing to me. I'm getting the call to spin again.. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely blanket and will be so snuggly when it's done. There's no doubt that rows and rows of plain knitting are very soothing - the knitting equivalent of granny squares in crochet. You can do it without thinking too hard, thus setting your mind free to roam.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your project! :)
Hi Gracie, this is such a lovely blanket you are knitting. And, I'm sure it will give you wonderful memories of your time in New York. It looks like a fun, relaxing knit. I'm knitting myself a sweater (something I have only done once) and it's not an enjoyable project at all. After frogging many rows, I'm hoping that it will fit properly. We received a little bit of rain yesterday but it's suppose to heat up again for the weekend. I hope you are enjoying the fall weather in your beautiful part of the country. Hugs, Pat
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful project! Your blanket looks very nice so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Magrit, Gracie, ...love to just knit and knit something plain and simple and not stop and check, stop and check all the time. Also like to have just one item on the needles at a time. With me it is usually socks or those wonderfully warm 'Nola' slipper socks or hats and scarves that go to our local Seaman's Mission.
ReplyDeleteThat blanket of yours looks very squashy and warm.
I so agree with her thinking -- I want to crochet for peace of mind, not be stressed by a difficult pattern. Your blanket will be so warm and lovely. I have a couple on the go that I should work on, but got the yarnbombing stuff to do and other projects I'd like to make, too. I've not been very good lately about using my time wisely. Take care, Tammy
ReplyDeleteI can identify with Margrit, I get quite fed up having to keep picking up a pattern to read. I tend to lose interest with large knitting projects but I love to crochet blankets, they seem to work up so much faster than knitted ones. Your yarn is such a pretty colour and I think you can see in your photos how soft it is, it will definitely be one cosy blanket. I'm taking part in Jenniefer's link party too, it's my first one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on finishing your blanket! It's looking great so far. Love that blue.
ReplyDeleteYes, knitting something plain and simple is good! Your blanket is so pretty! I indeed need to get to knitting again and finish a project so it will get finished before the end of the year! So much to do so little time! Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteHello Gracie and thank you for popping by and your lovely words re my mum. The yarn is delightful and I wish you well with your knit a long. I had seen it mentioned on Betsy's blog and checked it out. I'm tempted but as I have so much on already and more visits to mum - down south and my son and family - up north I think I would fall behind - I get stressed if having to keep to deadlines :-) Hugs Anne x
ReplyDeleteI do love the pale blue of your blanket, so comforting. You'll find continental knitting to be very fast once you have a bit of practice. I find it more comfortable on the arms than any other knitting style. Looking forward to seeing the finished blanket sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteDear Gracie,
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is going to be lovely. I have had that book for years, and the words you quoted have been a favorite of mine as well. I am so sorry to hear that her health is not good. How sad to have to leave that beautiful place they spent so many years helping to grow and flourish.
I want to thank you for your loving, kind and helpful words you sent to me. I can feel your prayers and so appreciate your wisdom and support.
With love, Ellen.
Love that quote.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Hi Gracie! Glad you are joining in, me too.Jo x
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, Gracie. Those words of Magrit resonate with me too...I love to just knit and knit peacefully without much stopping and checking. Your blanket is beautiful, it looks so soft and I love the colours.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend.
Helen xox
Well I'm rooting for you here and shall be cheering loudly when your blanket is done.
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful, Gracie. Continental knitting has been a wonderful discovery for me, and I hope it will be for you too. Worth persevering with! Thank you for your good wishes.
ReplyDelete