I’m a bit further forward with the Stronachlachar. There’s a lot of counting involved at this stage. I’ve done one increase row. I’m now doing nine straight rows. Then I must repeat that combination twice more. And keep track of where I am on the pattern chart. Not impossible, but not to be done when half-asleep.

Ann, thank you for the tip about VK’s new podcast. They had, indeed, sent me an email about it, but I guess I thought it was beyond me. (I don’t even know how to work Instagram.) But inspired by you, and after going down a couple of blind allies, I think I have persuaded my iPad to play it for me. I’ll try, later this evening. With knitting in hand.

Tamar, your point is a very good one, that huddling in the kitchen watching cookery videos is usually a substitute for something specific that one ought to be doing. I don’t think so, in my case, though. I’m now so old that there’s nothing specific to do – or if there is, I’m not going to do it.

And Mary Lou, I’m delighted that you remember that “Dorian Gray” movie – but could it be the same one? I was only 12, when I saw mine in ’44 or ’45. You’re surely much younger.

Kirsten, do please send me the link to the Penguin challenge if you can find it. I’d be happy to join you with Mrs Gaskell next month. My husband and I always read aloud for a while at bedtime. We covered a lot of ground, in 60 years, including more than one Gaskell long ago. She’s very good. You choose; I’ll follow. And do persevere with “Dorian”. It’s not terribly long. It does get livelier at the end. Like me, you’ll feel pleased with yourself. I do agree, that he needed something to do. As Jennyanydots felt about the mice.

(Our great discovery, during those 60 years, is that “Ulysses” is meant to be read aloud. My heart sank when my husband suggested it as our next, but it proved to be sensational. Like many of us, I had tried and failed to get to the end in my youth.)