The third trimester of pregnancy brings with it the longing for old-fashioned things. I lean towards reading books published in the 19th century or before, and love period films. It may be the notion of a gentler age (I know, it wasn't really gentler) but I just love the costumes, sets, hairstyles, and so on of the 19th century.
So, this is kind of a yarn-read-watch a long. I picked up "The Old Curiosity Shop" by Charles Dickens from my shelf of vintage books. Inscribed inside the cover is "Pearl Conway, 1934, from Miss Gertrude O'Malley, H.S. Teacher". Pearl was my grandma, and she was sixteen in 1934. There is so much to love about vintage books: the embossed leather covers, the careful use of every inch of paper, the decorative touches, and of course the beautiful language. For example, from Mr. Dickens himself, on the subject of children:
I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.
I've been watching and LOVING "Downton Abbey". Ah! The scenery, costumes of the early 20th century, the horror and romance of the First World War, the division between the classes, the scheming of the servants and the scandals of the aristocracy. Irresistible!
So. This is how I spend my evenings. Once the lunches are made, clothes laid out, and the dishes washed, I settle in for an evening of Downton Abbey and knitting.
I've been re-inspired to finish my Rainbow Socks started ages ago; I have one inch to go! The yarn is Fame Trend. I also created this Puerperium Cardigan and Aviatrix Cap (both patterns available for free on Ravelry!) out of Freedom Spirit by Twilleys of Stamford. It knitted up beautifully and I can't wait to snuggle my newborn girl in this cozy knitted stuff!
What are you reading and knitting/creating these days?
Love your baby things! Having no babies of my own anymore, I am happy to be looking over patterns for a friend's grandbaby due in December. Just love knitting tiny things...!
ReplyDeleteLove those rainbow socks!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading "Remembering the Bones" but it's slightly depressing me in my third trimester. I think I'll follow your lead and re-read my Jane Austen books!
ReplyDeleteI'm also on a pre-1900's kick! I've been reading about the frontier and the first people to inhabit it (in historical fiction, anyway). It's amazing! What a tough but romantic-sounding life.
ReplyDeleteLove your projects. Knitting for babies is so much fun, and I love that Aviatrix Cap. Those rainbow socks are fabulous too, I love the colours.
ReplyDeleteSqueal! I love, love, love your baby knits (sigh...) AND your rainbow socks. You want to know something, I started knitting a little something for a certain little winter baby when I ran into some completely unwelcome misgivings about the yarn because it was a bit darker than typical for baby things. But now I see YOUR gorgeous knits, and aside from feeling slightly intimidated-but-mostly-inspired, I am now TOTALLY reassured that the yarn is just fine. Okay, so - how many weeks do I have to get the project done? :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs...
About 12...
DeleteThe nesting begins! Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWatch out with Downton Abbey. It is like crack and runs out far too fast. I became addicted in the early spring and watched all the episodes way too quickly and then, bang, there were no more. I was left searching the web for hints of things to come.
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