Yarn Along // WWRW

April 9, Feast of St. Mary Cleophas, who accompanied Mary, the Mother of Christ, and Mary Magdalene at the Crucifixion.




Something simple and straightforward to get back into the rhythm of crocheting: a soft baby blanket made entirely from double stitches, from here.  When I finish the rows, I'll add a shell border to tie it all in.  The yarn is called "Aran yarn," and I got it from Aldi.  I'm wondering how much more artisan yarn costs.

I've been reading aloud The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherine M. Valente to Afon at bed- and bath-time.  He only half listens, but I don't doubt for a minute that treating him like an advanced reader can only be beneficial.  I respect books far too much to withhold good ones from him based on something as insignificant as age.  c;

Ms. Valente knows her stuff.  It's delightful to read an author who has so carefully studied Faerie--and as is the way with Faerie (and fairy tales) this book isn't simpering and innocent.  There must be blood is one of the sovereign rules of Fairyland.  There's also lying, witches, blood tithes, and unsympathetic creatures, and that's only as far as we've read.  But the fickle, dangerous, and mysteriously ordered otherworld of folklore and human memory is intact and recognizable.  The witticisms abound, and are somewhere between fact and nonsense--which means it's probably, as is the way with literary things, truth.  Such as the assertion that children have no hearts, which is what makes them terribly thoughtless, reckless, and selfish, and that we grow hearts as we age.  It's biting but beautiful observation, and put in a way that maybe skims the truth of the matter far better than psychoanalysis.

I'll probably recommend The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, especially for fans of Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth; but the ending remains to be seen.

In addition, I'm reading The Kings and Queens of Wales by Timothy Venning and like it very much.  It's not a tome and divides itself into neat little sections by chronology and then geography.  Research for the first Story (work on the second draft has commenced as of Monday!).  But I also consider it pleasure reading.

Joining Housewifespice and Small Things today.  Happy reading!

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11 comments:

  1. this looks like the perfect yarn to crochet a baby blanket, who wouldn't want to snuggle in that?
    have a lovely day!

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  2. That looks like a lovely snuggly baby blanket :)

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  3. What a pretty pictures with the white yarn and white flowers. That will make such a soft pretty blanket.

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  4. I haven't heard of that book but it sounds like one that would intrigue me! I love your picture, it looks like peace.

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  5. Your blanket looks wonderfully fluffy and soft!

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  6. blanket looks great!!! :) I don't know how much artisan (do you mean handmade?) yarn costs but from what I've gathered, yarn (the kinds I don't buy!) that is more handmade can be quite costly... I am totally happy with simpler yarns and for babies and young ones esp a good washable yarn, even if it has acrylic, can be good... blessed day and rest of the week to you!

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  7. Beautiful photo. Looks like lovely yarn - I didn't know Aldi sold wool!

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  8. Me neither--and pretty wool at that! What a beautiful photo, and those books sound interesting too.

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  9. Oh, someone else was telling me good things about the Valente book too... maybe I'll give it shot when I finish what I'm reading right now.
    That yarn looks like it will make such a beautiful blanket!

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  10. I enjoyed "Circumnavigating" too, haven't finished the other two in the series yet. I'm with you on not withholding books. We started reading regular picture books to H. when he was one and he developed the ability to sit through multiple stories every night very quickly.

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  11. Beautiful soft yarn for a snuggly baby blanket. That will be lovely when it's done.
    Have a wonderful week.

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