The Bluestocking - where the laugh emoji is sorely missed.

[MyrtleLion]

Welcome to the Bluestocking Arms!

The company is always sparkling, the drinks are always sublime, and the cakes are mysteriously free from gluten, sugar, calories, and troublesome booze… not that you’d ever notice. 😏

Our enthusiastic team of gerbil waitstaff is ably supported by capybaras, quokkas, and other charming creatures who excel at their jobs while looking outrageously adorable.

You will find many things to laugh at - usually out loud - so take care not to spit out your tea. We are considering a petition for the return of the laugh emoji - just as soon as the AI gerbils learn how to spell.

New Bluestockingers are always welcome. Men can pop along to The Staunch Ally nearby.

Currently also knitting a Woolly Hug blanket for Bluestockinger Swashbuckled. Details here if you can knit or crochet a square before the 18 July.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5350941-woolly-hugs-desperately-sad-news-we-are-afraid-making-a-blanket-for-lovely-swashbuckled-whose-son-has-tragically-died

The Bluestocking - where the vomit emoji is sorely missed.

Meanwhile I am comforting myself for NOT having the winning euromillions ticket by hoping someone nice got it. Marie?

Can androids vomit?

........ Sorry, Deano, did you say something? I couldn't hear over the sound of the waves lapping against the hull of my...eh.......kitchen..
<hurriedly puts out cigar and hides drink>
😁

Thought for a sec. Marie that you were 'fessing to being JKR 👀

I should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky - and not I'm not Kylie either😄

I remember seeing a vox pop on TV once, they were asking 'If you won the lottery, would you keep working at your job?'
Several people said yes, they like their job, or it's an important part of their identity, or similar worthy things.
The next person said
'Are you jokin'? I wouldn't even finish my shift!'😂

Caribbean Sea square for Swashy's blanket.

I'm going to try one in stocking stitch next in honour of the Bluestocking.

Afternoon... Warm, isn't it? I'm going to sit under a parasol in the Bluey's garden with my feet in the paddling pool and a steady stream of gerbils offering chilled drinks.

I am in my actual garden drinking a cold beer and listening to the home-going traffic on the road and all the birds.

Dinner is cooking, the washing is in off the line, I do NOT have a committee meeting tonight.... bliss.

Though the background noise of the irrigation pump at the farm down the road seems to have been replaced by the lad next door playing some loudish music. But far enough away thay I can barely hear it.

Later on I will watch nonsense on Netflix and knit. I am going at about a quarter the speed of Myrtle.

I'm impressed Myrtle, not just by the middle but especially by the top and bottom.

I would probably be able to produce an OK square of knitting, but the first and last lines would be a loopy mess, not neat like yours.

So I think you've nailed two very important elements which I haven't - how to start and how to finish!

🤣

I can want to.

Very subtle, Android!!
If I might be JKR on my yacht, you might be Thomas Aquinas on volition😂

Thank you! I am very unwell with asthma, so I've just been knitting and watching TV.

Casting on
I cast on starting with a slip knot with the tail to the right then using the long tail method, which I learned here:
https://knitting.com/long-tail-cast-on/

Neat edges
I was having issues with rough edges so I asked my DH how she did them (for a knit stitch, I'm struggling with my purl). She has been knitting for over 50 years.

She said the first stitch of each row should be a slip stitch - just move the stitch on to the other needle without knitting it.

She then said to knit into the back of the final stitch of the row. So instead of pushing the right hand needle left to right in front of the left needle, push it right to left, behind the left needle.

Casting off
I then cast off on the right side of the work.

Slip the first two stitches onto the right needle and then move the first stitch over the second.

Cast off each stitch in the same manner: knit the next stitch then take the first stitch which is now on the needle over the new stitch.

Do this until only two stitches remain.

Then knit into the back of both those stitches together making one. (I've just realised i just kept casting off to the end, but I would recommend this method.)

Take that off the needle, make a loop of it and put the ball of wall through that loop and pull it in line with the other cast offs. Then cut the wool leaving a longish strand to sew in.

This pleased me. I thought some of you Blueys might like it too.

I'm more like ⬆

But then I'm trying to figure out a new crochet pattern while feeling VERY GUILTY at not starting the dinner yet.

Also, I misread it as 'Thomas Aquinas on vacation'. I'm not sure which I find more mystifying.

And representing the flower people, Quasimodo on bells.
Although perhaps it would be more apt if I were Princess Anne on sousaphone. Mmm.
Whatever happened to the Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band?

Excellent joke! I love a pedantry tale

EVER so useful! Thank you Myrtle

You're welcome.

I asked my DM about edges for purling and she says do the same.

Slip the first stitch knitwise and also at the end of the row knit into the back whether it’s a knit row or a purl row.

Dear @MarieDeGournay, I know it's past your bedtime but I just wanted to say how beautiful and cleverly constructed the New Bluestocking is. I'm in awe of your skill and patience! Great stuff xxx

P.S. Swashy, you're in my thoughts and I'm slowly knitting some squares for the Woolly Hugs Blanket. Sending love xxx

💙

Thank you Boily, that's beautiful and expresses what we are feeling.

I thought marking the 'Month's Mind' just an Irish thing?
A month after a death there is a gathering of family and friends, Mass, a shared meal...

I think there is great wisdom in it - after the initial trauma of the death and burial [which happens within a few days in Ireland], life moves on, people stop asking how you are doing, perhaps for fear of setting back your recovery from the bereavement, it feels like maybe the world has stopped noticing that you are grieving.

The Month's Mind reminds the bereaved that although life moves on, and for them it moves on forever changed by their heart-breaking loss, those who care haven't forgotten and never will.

Sending love and strength to dear Swash and her daughter today.💙

Adding to the love for Swashy. 💐

Much love to dear Swashy.