My seemingly frantic pace of knitting has slowed down a bit, basically because I chose a pattern calling for much smaller needles. Smaller stitches means taking longer to complete a project. Fortunately, I do have a backlog of finished items that I have yet to show you.
Today, I'm sharing the afghan I made for Tucker's daughter, Taylor, who attends Northern Arizona University up in Flagstaff where it does get cold and can snow a lot. (Tucker is the woman who comes to the house to cut our hair.) I asked Tucker what her daughter's favorite color was, and the reply was burgundy.
Using that as my starting point and knowing Flagstaff called for a warm snuggly blanket, I chose Mama in a Stitch's Knit Squares Seamless Quilt Blanket pattern. It's the warmest one that I know and has become a go-to pattern.
On my US size 15 circular needles, I used two strands of Red Heart Super Saver 100% acrylic yarn in "Burgundy" and one strand of Plymouth Yarn's Encore Colorspun in "Drifting." Here's the finished afghan as well as a photo of Taylor enjoying it.
It's always nice to see someone enjoying something that I've made.
What was I watching while I was knitting away on Taylor's afghan? Let's find out!
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Nyad, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, is
A riveting chapter in the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad. Three decades after giving up marathon swimming in exchange for a prominent career as a sports journalist, at the age of 60, Diana becomes obsessed with completing an epic swim that always eluded her: the 110 mile trek from Cuba to Florida, often referred to as the "Mount Everest" of swims. Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana goes on a thrilling, four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll and a dedicated sailing team.
In my teens and twenties, I remember reading about Nyad's attempts to make that swim from Cuba to Florida, and again when she actually succeeded at the age of sixty. (Wow!)
I thought the film was very well done, and Bening and Foster were excellent in their roles. I certainly learned a lot about distance swimming, which was probably due to the fact that Diana Nyad herself was one of the writers. I also found it refreshing to see an American actress like Annette Bening look waterlogged, weathered, and "seasoned." I tire of people insisting that actresses in their 60s, 70s and 80s look like they're in their early twenties. Of course, Bening does clean up very well...
I can certainly recommend Nyad if you're in the mood for a good biopic.
First, I love that afghan. The color is beautiful and the pattern is lovely. And it's perfect for a bed, couch or it seems, a car. Taylor should be quite warm. As for Nyad, I was gobsmacked by it and by Diana Nyad's grit, discioline and determination to swim from Cuba to Key West. She made five attempts, the last at age 64 and it was successful despite so many setbacks and jellyfish (ugh). Both Bening and Jodie Foster were excellent in their roles.
ReplyDeleteDiana Nyad is an amazing person.
DeleteI heard Nyad was quite good, Cathy, and I've heard that the real Diana Nyad is an extraordinary person. I haven't seen this one yet, but I should. And that blanket is gorgeous - such deep, rich shades, and the pattern's lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy the movie, Margot.
DeleteSuch a beautiful afghan! It looks very warm. And I remember when Diana Nyad finally achieved her swim from Cuba to Florida. So amazing. The movie sounds very good, too. I'll have to check it out. :D
ReplyDeletePlease do! :-)
DeleteI just heard about that movie, courtesy of the Oscar nominations. Both of those actresses tend to choose interesting projects, and to work with good teams, so the positive review is not surprising.
ReplyDeleteI love both the pattern and the color of that afghan! I'm happy you get to know that it's being enjoyed.
Bless 'im, I have a 6'4" friend who occasionally sends me photos of him wrapped up in the 8' long afghan I knitted him. I ought to make him another one in case he wears that one out! LOL
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