Tuesday, February 01, 2022

While Miz Kittling Knits: Manhunt

 


I've been hearing my long-dead mother chuckling for the past month. Why? Because, when I decorated for Christmas, the afghans I put on the daybed here in the living room were all made by her. I could hear her telling me, "All the afghans you've made, and you're using mine?" The reason was rather simple: her afghans were made in more traditional Christmas colors, and mine were not. Yet. It is my intention to share closeups of her masterpiece afghan, but not now. No. I'm sharing one of my simplistic offerings this week.
 


 
This week's afghan is made in an easy pattern called Garter Stripes, which is a one-row pattern of knit five, purl five. You can just see the horizontal lines showing the stripes. I used size 13 (US) circular needles because this afghan is made all in one piece. I hate sewing things together and avoid it whenever possible. The yarn I used is an absolute favorite of mine: two strands of Michaels Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny worsted-weight acrylic yarn in a colorway called Party. The photo turned out a little darker than anticipated and doesn't show the explosion of color this yarn is. Not only is this yarn for lovers of intense color, it has a lovely sheen and is incredibly soft. When I shared this photo on Facebook, one of my friends said that it looked as though it could jump off the quilt rack and dance across the floor, and that's what this yarn does for me-- make me feel very happy.

What was I watching while I was making the Fred Astaire of afghans? An excellent British series called Manhunt starring Martin Clunes.
 
 

 
Here's a brief synopsis of the series:
 
"Fresh off his success catching a headline-grabbing killer, DCI Colin Sutton is asked to review the long-running inquiry into a notorious serial rapist, who terrorized southeast London over 17 years. Sutton applies his signature methodical approach to the case in the hopes of finally catching the offender."
 
This is the second series featuring the real-life DCI Colin Sutton, and although the first series was good, this second one really grabbed me. In fact, one night I turned to Denis and told him, "I hope you weren't wanting to watch something else because I have to find out what happens next!" Watching how Sutton worked to solve the case and how he worked with the people on his team was a pleasure.

Martin Clunes is an excellent actor, probably better known for his work in Doc Martin. (Doc Martin is worth watching for the scenery alone.) I can't help but think that Clunes would never have had a long-running career over on this side of the pond because he isn't pretty. Who cares if the man is pretty when he's such a good actor?!?

Have any of you seen Manhunt or Doc Martin? I know I'm not the only one who loves British telly!

Am I hard at work on another afghan? Of course! And this time it's one for a Casa Kittling Christmas. (And Denis is happy because it's for him, and he got to choose the pattern and color.)

26 comments:

  1. That afghan is gorgeous, Cathy! The pattern may be simple, but the shades are vibrant, and I love the way they blend together. Also, thanks for mentioning Manhunt. I've seen that advertised (if that's the word for it) on Acorn, but hadn't watched it. Good to know that you thought it was well done.

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    1. It's very well done. I wouldn't mind watching it again-- and probably will in the future.

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  2. Lovely afghan. I'm a big fan of them and have collected several, though I do not myself knit.

    We have watched and enjoyed both Manhunt and Doc Martin but I didn't realize there was a second season of Manhunt. Have to look that one up. I agree Clunes is an excellent actor who always "inhabits" the roles he plays.

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    1. I've also seen some of the more documentary-style programs he's done-- for example, dogs and horses-- and he seems like a very warm, caring person. Evidently, it's well known on the Doc Martin set that, if you want to meet Clunes, all you have to do is bring your dog. From watching him as Doc Martin, you'd swear he hates dogs, but he absolutely loves them.

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  3. Just loved Manhunt! Will bear re watching in a while . Love the steady hard police work it portrays . Yes, your afghans are gorgeous!

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  4. The name of that yarn - party - is perfect. That is what it makes me think of. It's gorgeous and looks like a nice, sturdy afghan.

    I have not watched Manhunt, but it sounds like it might be worth looking up.

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  5. The afghan is lovely. Colors divine.
    So much productivity at your house! Here I sit watching TV, reading and eating.
    Will check out Manhunt. Am pondering getting Acorn, but then some programs are on Hulu. Due to my fairy godfather, I have Amazon Prime. And there's always PP and I have a lot to watch there.

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    1. I sit watching TV (well, make that recline), I read, I eat. And I know how to procrastinate with the best of 'em. I have found, however, that when I've got something on my mind that's worrying me, knitting and TV both at the same time keep me from worrying a rut in my brain. (And since I've been worrying about Denis, it means that I'm getting a lot of work done on his afghan. He is getting better, though.)

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  6. Glad Denis is improving. Nothing like the problems of aging and being the partner of someone with health problems in addition to one's own.
    I found Manhunt and other enticing programs on Acorn. But there is so much to watch and I'm torn about which cable network to choose.

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    1. That can be a problem. I keep learning of so many things I want to watch that I really need to start making some sort of list because I can't remember them all. I am so glad these streaming services are realizing that programs from other countries can be very popular.

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  7. Maybe I will join Acord as it's $6/month and has a lot of good programs on it.
    Some friends have a slew of these networks. But I do like to read and don't want to cut off reading.

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    1. I have a "compartment" for TV/knitting time so it doesn't interfere with my reading time.

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  8. Strangely, I haven't heard of Manhunt. Sometimes I think I live in cave with no TV. However Martin Clunes is currently in a travel series here, exploring islands in the Pacific. Needless to say, it is wonderful, what a lovely man.

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    1. He is a lovely man. I've heard about that island hopping series, and I'll be on the lookout for it. Thanks for reminding me of it, Cath.

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  9. My mother crocheted afghans, and I have two of them. I love to curl up for a nap wrapped in one of her afghans, they are roomy and warm. I've watched Doc Martin but I've never heard of Manhunt. I love British TV mysteries.

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    1. I do, too. Like reading and knitting, watching British TV mysteries is one of my addictions. I sheltered in place with my British husband and watched British telly almost exclusively to the point that anyone who didn't speak with an English accent sounded odd to me.

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  10. Is Acorn the best? I have Amazon Prime thanks to my fairy godfather. Right now I have no streaming services.

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    1. I have both Acorn and Britbox. I'd hate to lose either one of them. Both are very good. Britbox-- as you can tell by the name-- focuses more on British telly while Acorn does have a wider world view when it comes to its programming.

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  11. Well, if I went to a movie theater and bought snacks, paid for gas or city transportation, it would cost an arm and a leg, so to speak. This monthly fee where one can watch a lot of shows plus get one's own snacks, with no transit costs, is inexpensive, by comparison.

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    1. Yes, and I'm even luckier because we have a b-i-g TV screen and Denis hooked up surround sound. All the comforts of movie theaters without rude people sitting around you. And no germs.

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