2014 Geek-A-Long: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

week 34 Nautilis (3)

Welcome to week 34 of the 2014 Geek-A-Long, a mystery blanket knit-along (or crochet-along for you rebels out there)! If you’re new to the GAL craziness, check out the Geek-A-Long FAQ page for more details and information. For the seasoned pros, let’s talk about Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

I feel strongly that Jules Verne ought to be required reading in Elementary/Middle school. For the most part, it isn’t, but it should be. I learned much more from Captain Nemo than I ever did from the historical biographies that were being shoved down my throat at that age. (I’m not knocking them, but how much does a 6th grader REALLY need to know about Dwight D. Eisenhower?) I was mostly left to my own devices to discover great science fiction and fantasy books, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was my second foray into a magical literary world.

Towards the end of the year, we’ll feature a square that will represent my first love.

week 34 Nautilis (1)

After the Nautilus, I was hooked. I devoured every Jules Verne book my library had in stock and was left hungry for more. When I was 12 or 13 there was a 20,000 Leagues mini-series on TV, and it’s fair to say I became obsessed with it. I taped it (back in the stone ages of the VHS) and watched that tape until it wore out. I fell in love with Captain Nemo and had a trapper-keeper that bore this totally-not-embarrassing emblem scrawled in glitter ink:

Nemo <3 Megan-Anne 4ever

The Geek-A-Long project just reminds me over and over what a very cool kid I was. ;)

This week’s square depicts the Nautilus going into battle with the giant squid. Don’t worry guys, Nemo will make it through this.

week 34 Nautilis (4)

Post Edited for 5 Year Anniversary

This post has been edited to add an updated version of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea pattern to celebrate five years of geeking along. The graph is the same, but the pattern now includes more information. You can download the new 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea pattern by clicking the link. Instructions for both knit and crochet are now listed in the pattern. When you’re finished making it, Instagram your squares at us @lattesandllamasyarn with the hashtag #geekalong! This now concludes the edited portion of this post.

week 34 Nautilis (2)

Don’t forget to tweet or instagram them at me @Doctor_Llama or Jac @jac_attacking with the hashtag geekalong, so we can all oooh and ah together. We even have a fancy new GAL Participation Button you can put on your blog or your Geek-A-Long posts. You can grab the html out of the side bar or find it here.

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and you can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here. We’re even raffling off some sweet prizes for our members at the end of the year! You can learn more about it in the group or on the GAL Benefactors page.

~ Megan-Anne

“No sir, it is evidently a gigantic narwhal”

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If you enjoyed this post, please consider making a donation to Child’s Play Charity. Here is a direct link to our donation page benefiting the charity. Please help us raise $1,000 this year! No contribution is too small.

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