I finished this before the KAL, and it is crochet BUT.........................

But she looks so cute in it! This is the crochet pattern we used to make all the preemie hats for Save the Children (we sent in 242 hats). The knit pattern is also available, and they go really fast. A great thing to pick up if your chosen knitting is too complicated to do while watching Jane Austen. (http://www.savethechildren.org/publications/capstothecapital-kit11.pdf)

MANSFIELD PARK & AFGHANS

After trying to start several other projects, I decided I AM going to finish this birthday afghan for my sister so she can get it this June, only one year late. So I am now adding crochet edging to each square, starting with the lacy ones. I have to find the pattern again so I can finish embroidering 2 of the flowers (duplicate stitch is so much easier than carrying the colors behind!). I got in extra knitting on Sunday since I watched the figure skating US Nationals first. I am also teaching a co-worker to knit and it's so much fun to see her enthusiasm for it.

I did enjoy Mansfield Park a little more than the first 2-I had also seen an old production (probably BBC) and this one was much better. We are planning to do a face to face book group on one of her books and will probably choose this one since most of us have not read it lately. I pretty much know Pride and Prejudice by heart, so that wouldn't work.

Sarah (I realized everyone else has their name as a screen name!)

Mansfield Park

Hello everyone. I just joined this past week but I have been watching the JA films on PBS and knitting. I agree that they're all just a bit short. I've enjoyed Mansfield Park the most. I liked the way Fanny was portrayed--she can be a bit priggish.

Another Kate

Hello from yet another Kate, formerly a Katie and occassionally still called Katie. Like Lynn, I am not watching Masterpiece Theater in real time. I almost got my husband to watch last night until I opened my big mouth and told him it was Jane Austen. Sigh. I too am utilizing the DVR and haven't had time to watch yet. I am knitting though. I've been knitting for a little over a year and am working on my first project with circular needles, making a hat. It has been incredibly easy so far but I'm getting nervous about switching to double-pointed needles and finishing the top. I can't even figure out how to use the markers so I'm doing my best to tell where rows begin and end. I also have a bag I've been knitting. All that remains is to put it together if I can figure out how.

I'm busy prepping for a three-week trip in February so I'll be a little behind in watching and blogging. Before I leave, however, I definitely need to watch the episodes already on the DVR to clear space for more Jane Austen--no way am I missing Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy!

Project Started

Last night I cast on for my KAL project - a lace shawl - just before settling down to watch Mansfield Park. Fortunately it is a pretty simple lace pattern so I could watch and knit at the same time. I only made one mistake that took my concentration away from the television while I fixed it. Pictures will be forthcoming; there isn't much to see so far. The pattern I am using is the "Invisibility Shawl" from Charmed Knits.

I liked this television series is making me want to read (or listen to) the books. I haven't read all of Jane Austen - just some of the books. Mansfield Park is not one of the ones I read so I can't speak to how faithful it is to the book. But I can honestly say that I liked this version better than the original BBC version. I liked this Fanny Price better - she was firm and settled but not as pious or severe as what I remember from the old BBC version. I was a bit worried that I would see too much of Rose Tyler from Dr. Who in the actress who was playing Fanny, but I didn't - she played Fanny quite different than Rose.

Altogether, I am really liking the series.

the flu and Jane

I am emerging from a three day bout with the flu. My head is finally clear and I am very excited to wrap up in a blanket with my baby sweater and watch tonight! We have lots of new members. I am so glad we've come together at this virtual knitting party for Jane. Yeah for us!

Hello

Hi. My name is Katie (seem to be a few of us!) and I'm excited to join this blog. I really enjoy Jane Austen and, of course, knitting! I took a class in college just on Jane Austen's novels, but that was long enough that they're all a pleasant, but distant, memory. So far, I've enjoyed watching the movies and I'm looking forward to the one tonight. I agree that they're a bit short, but... Last week I worked on one of the fronts of a cotton cardigan I've been doing (pictured here--a bit fuzzy). I should probably work more on this tonight, but I think I may want to advance on some socks...