All my scrap balls of worsted weight yarn end up in this picnic basket that sits in a corner of my living room. There, this blanket is slowly - ever so slowly - growing and growing. It may not be the most beautiful thing I've ever knit, and goodness, the garter stitch is as simple as it gets. But I love it. I love that while I certainly can't remember all of the yarns and where they came from, I can remember a good majority. Baby sweaters for the boy almost taller than me now, things for each of the siblings that followed him, shawls I've made for myself, things that never got finished, and gifts I remember making for people. There's a flood of memories in here when I look for them - which I do - each time it's in my hands.
Nearly five years ago (so says the blog), I cast on for this blanket. I have no idea how when it will be done. It's at a 'throw' size right now, and I'm not ready to be done knitting it. So I suppose the next marker will be a twin size blanket. And I have no idea how I'll finish it - line the back with fabric? pick up stitches along the edge for a crochet finish? I'll think about that when the time comes - later. Likely, that's still years away. I'm not in a hurry to get there.
It doesn't see a lot of play time, really, this blanket. When I'm in between a project or having a hard time getting started on something new, but need to do a little knitting, I pick this up. When I'm in that corner of the living room and just can't get up to find my current knitting project - when there's a sleeping baby on my lap, or I'm just feeling too cozy to move.
There's one other time this blanket sees action. And that's on days like the ones we're having this week. When the temperatures outside are below zero, and that mighty wood stove of ours struggles to keep the rambly farmhouse warmish. When layers of wool long johns and socks and cowls are worn inside to stay warm enough. When all I want to do is sit in this rocking chair right next to the wood stove, sipping tea all day, with babies big and small reading and playing games at my feet (and on my back and in my lap)....and knit with the project that doubles as a wool blanket. Yes.
It'll be twelve below by nightfall. I'll be blanket knitting.
