Tuesday, August 02, 2022

While Miz Kittling Knits: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

 


As promised, here I am with yet another completed afghan-- one that took only eighteen days for me to finish. It's a wonder my wooden knitting needles haven't been incinerated at the rate I've been working them! Hopefully, you won't be too scared when I tell you that, yes, there is another finished afghan waiting in the wings to be shown to you. I finished four afghans (as well as a few much smaller projects) while Denis has been hospitalized and in rehab. Now that he's home, I've chosen to work on a scarf as my next project. Why not an afghan? Because three balls of pink yarn were winking at me from their bin in the craft room, but there wasn't enough for an afghan. Someone will get a warm, pretty in pink scarf instead.
 
Let's take a look at the afghan, shall we?
 
Fresh off the needles and resting on Denis's recliner.

 
Showing off.

This afghan was done with a double strand of Lion Brand Homespun yarn in a color called "Delft" on US size 15 circular needles. The pattern I used was from Mama in a Stitch and is called the Winter Cuddler Throw.  Since the guest room here in Casa Kittling is done in shades of blue and white and I have my collection of antique blue and white dinnerware here in the living room, you can understand why I would gravitate to this color of yarn.
 
The afghan pattern is what I would call a sampler, since it shows off several different types of stitches. It would be perfect for a beginner or someone (like me) who doesn't want to think too hard about what they're doing but does want to have a pretty finished product. Lion Brand Homespun yarn is my go-to yarn for afghans. I haven't found anything else that can match it for softness, warmth, and easy care.
 
What was I watching while I was trying to start a fire with my knitting needles?  Let's take a look.
 

When all of Denis's back troubles began and he was forced to spend hours in his recliner, he decided to subscribe to Paramount +.  This was during the Winter Olympics, and I couldn't believe how much time he spent watching curling. Then-- while he spent weeks in hospitals and rehab facilities, I found myself here at home wondering about the variety of programs I had available to me. When I took a look at Paramount +, there was a huge ad for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and that was it.
 
I would not call myself a rabid Trekkie, but I do love the original Star Trek and Star Trek: Voyager as well as J.J. Abrams' feature films. My mother allowed me to stay up on Friday nights to watch the original Star Trek-- the TV station then would only show it at 11 PM on Friday nights-- and I well remember lying on my tummy on the floor in the dark in front of the TV, enjoying the stories and crushing on Leonard Nimoy. 
 
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds harks back to the original Star Trek. Christopher Pike is captain of the Enterprise. Spock is there. Uhura is a young cadet who isn't sure she wants to have a career with Star Fleet. Nurse Chapel. T'Pring. There are familiar cast members to enjoy and new crew members to become acquainted with. The stories are very well done, and the casting is well-nigh perfect. All in all, I loved the first season and can't wait for the new one. If you harbor a fondness for Star Trek, you'll probably feel the same way.
 
For my next afghan, I watched something completely different, but every bit as good in its own way. What was it? You'll just have to wait and see!

14 comments:

  1. Those afghans are so gorgeous, Cathy! I love that shade of blue. And I'll bet that pink scarf will be, too. It's funny: I liked the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. The others, not so much if I'm being honest. But I do think Gene Roddenberry was immensely talented.

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    1. Yes, he was-- and we need to listen to what he was trying to tell us even more today than we did way back then.

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  2. Beautiful afghans in that shade of blue called Delft. And I'm not a Trekkie per se, but I agree that Gene Roddenberry was talented. I do write down the mystery series suggested here, but lately I've listened to so many author interviews at the PP and elsewhere and watching news that I've neglected streaming services.

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    1. Well, they aren't going anywhere. When you have need of them, they will be there for you.

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  3. Once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie. I can't believe I haven't already watched the Paramount+ series, but I'll get there. I love the blue of that afghan and the pattern really shows it to its advantage. I do envy your ability with the needle.

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    1. Not all of the spin-off series have been created equally. I tried Star Trek: Discovery and Picard and couldn't get past the first episode of either, but Strange New Worlds is good. Denis has started watching it, and he likes it, too.

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  4. I love the colors of the afghan! I'll have to remember your recommendation for yarn and pass it on to my mom. She has been crocheting afghans this summer and it is always fun to hear what others use. As far as Star Trek, I just never took a liking to it. My mom and sister used to watch it and even though it was the only thing on, I chose to do something else.

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    1. Different strokes for different folks. :-)

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  5. Are you old enough to remember Twilight Zone in its early days? I still remember some of the episodes, and my sister and I discussed those which scared us a lot. Rod Serling was the emcee.

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    1. Of course I remember The Twilight Zone! I loved that series!

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  6. Oh, we liked Twilight Zone, too. We watched it every week, but some of the episodes had us leaving lights on at night and vying for who would sleep with the family cat, Sasha.

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    1. That was probably my favorite part-- letting some of the stories scare me.

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  7. I loved the color on this afghan, this yarn looks super soft and warm too. Lion Brand is my favorite choice for yarn, I could not find another brand to top its quality and durability.
    You just reminded me that I still need to finish Star Trek Discovery, I believe I made it to season 2 before I stopped.

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    1. Star Trek Discovery didn't tickle my fancy when I watched the first three episodes, but I may give it another try.

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