Pumpkin Sunrise

I finished this cowl (for me!) yesterday.  I loved the simplicity and the decadent wool blend.  Alpaca in anything is such a nice addition to wool.  The wool had a super high twist so the knitting was 'springing' away.  I chose not to block the cowl. Ravelry notes are here I'm itching to clean my house and put away the decorations but I still have family here until tomorrow, so I'm waiting not so patiently.  I do this every single year.  I start wishing for clean tidy spaces on the 28th or 29th and force myself to wait until January 1st.  This year I have to wait until the 2nd.  I've romanticized the organizing in my head and it is glorious.  Once my viewing spaces are tidy, I predict a lots of productive knitting and NO cooking for at least a week as we tackle the leftovers and the freezer overload.  I have too much food in this house. Perchance this cowl will be done tonight?   This cowl is perfect for distraction knitting, I tend to be able

This cowl is the second broken rib cowl that is a gift for Christmas that I finished last week (I think).  All these cowl knitting gifts are becoming a blur.  You know what isn't a blur?  Seeing an end to the gift knitting. I have the last cowl drying as I type this, stay tuned. Yesterday, I cast on this cowl for me.  I have been drooling over the one my friend made and have been looking at yarns, dreaming about yarns.  I'm pretty sure nearly every knitter has created the Three Color Cowl but me.  I definitely want to be in the 'in crowd' when it comes to knitting so casting on was a priority.  I'm in knitting heaven right now. Oh and I'm casting on a sweater on Christmas day.  I'm excited about that as well. Remember this shawl ?  Yeah, me too.  I shelved this project when I started the cowl gift knitting in September.  I quickly found where I left off and have been working on this during TV time.  What are you working on this wee

I finished this shawl over the weekend and this completes another holiday gift.  I am on schedule for all the knits I want to knit this year, this feels so good.  Every time I sit and knit, I'm filled with gratitude that I can sit and knit.  This past summer saw a long span of time with my back spasming and me not knitting and pouting a little bit.  I've been going to the gym religiously now, even on non personal trainer days all to support good health and the ability to sit. Anyways, back to the shawl.  The wool is steam valley fiber hand dyed fingering sock yarn  that has been in my stash for a few years.  Miss Holly the cat found the hand and threw it all about so as I wound the wool back into a ball, I decided the universe (or Holly) wanted me to knit it up. This pattern is one of Helen Stewart's designs, spindrift shawl .  This is a free pattern if you sign up for her newsletter which I recommend.  Her designs are wonderful and clearly written, line by lin

I've got lots of happy knitting, are you ready?  First off, I started my sister's holiday hat, she loved the one I made last year so I'm making another in a different color.  I do love to knit the same patterns over again. Speaking about knitting the same thing over and over again, I started another cowl .  I'm trying to knit three more by the end of the month.  I really enjoy monotony probably due to the stress I experienced last month.   Having now stress is blissful and no stress knitting is even better! I finished reading Lord of the Flies  and while I'm glad I read the book, it really didn't do too much for me.  Let's just say there was too much savagery for my liking and pig killing isn't my jam.  And Piggy!!  My favorite character DIED and yet Jack who I despised, lived.  Oh the in-humanity (which is the point of the book I guess),  Yesterday, I started reading Catcher in the Rye  and starting from the first sentence, I love it.

Call me crazy but I'm getting pretty good at taking photos all by myself.  My hat is complete!  I worked exclusively on this project over the weekend so I could finish a project in a timely manner. After three weeks of being unable to sit and knit without back pain, this quick project was the perfect project to work on now that I'm recovered (mostly).  Hats are a great way to see quick progress, try new stitches or color work patterns, or to have instant gratification of finishing a project. The yarn is from a mini-skein bundle named 'Dr Who' by A Hundred Ravens .  The yarn was soft, smooth and a delight to knit with for this project. What are you working on this week? Joining Ginny

For the past few weeks, I've been craving simplistic knits and so I cast on a cowl and a blanket to satisfy my craving.  Now I am wishing for a complicated knit and have been searching Ravelry for some ideas and inspirations.  So far I haven't found THE knit, but you know I will. I haven't been able to knit as much as I usually do because of my back strain from last Monday, but I'm pleased to report I'm feeling so much better and each day I can knit a little longer than the day before.  I missed knitting! My son's blanket is slowing growing, this is my evening knit while watching TV with my husband. The pattern is super easy! My peace cowl is making steady progress as well. I've been reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine which is captivating.  I continue to read How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny on my Kindle while on the treadmill at the gym.  I'm tempted to read this while not on a treadmill.  My third book that I'm r

I'm enchanted with the true colors shawl .  I find myself sitting down and knitting, getting lost in a sea of thoughts -- just one more row -- just one more color -- Everyone should have a knitting project that becomes an obsession!  I will be sad when this knit is finished. I have been thinking of casting on another one though... The clover leaf shawl is my pick up and go knitting project.  The bag is tiny and portable and fits in my handbag.  I have the pattern memorized and can quickly see where I am so I can knit away.  I love having a lace knitting project in the summer months, light and airy in my lap.  This one is a great knit that I'm enjoying. I'm currently reading The Chilbury Ladies' Choir and The Beautiful Mystery.  Both are great reads! Joining Ginny

I've just realized that all of my knitting projects are big knitting projects, does this mean that I should cast on a small project?  Hmm.  I wonder.  My Holey shawl is a fun knit.  I already have the pattern memorized, which is truly one of the wonderful facets of knitting. I'm on the second sleeve of my sister's cardigan !  Drum roll, trumpets blaring, all the fanfare that a sweater close to being done deserves.  I love knitting this sweater and especially for the bestest sister I could ever have in the whole wide world!  Yep.  She reads this blog and she knows how special she is. I predict this sweater will be done in a week.  Phew. I haven't been knitting much on my last project, Dusk at Elk River Shawl .  However, last night I did about six rows and am nearing to the lacy portion of the pattern.  I'm excited to get to the intricate part and I also think I need switch over to some longer knitting needles. I started The Brothers Karamazov  yeste

I've made significant progress on my sister's sweater .  She is an awesome sister so she deserves a sweater, right?  Right.  I am one third of the way done.  How do I know?  Well the sweater uses three skeins of Madeline Tosh Sock and I've used up the first skein.  I love simple maths... I've made this sweater many times, my latest is this one .  My sister tried it on last summer and fell in love with the fit.  So, I decided to cast one on after she chose her yarn.  In other news, I cast on a hat from my own imagination and went with it.  I love a folded brim for a hat for some extra warmth and I created a simple knit two, purl two design broken by a purl row.  Easy peasy.  In reading news, I'm still involved with the sixth Gamache book by Louise Penny, Bury your Dead.   I could finish it today if I focused and didn't do anything else, like cook a dinner.  I have Beartown sitting and staring at me waiting for me to dive in.  I am excited to re

Good morning and it's the new year as well!  I'm sitting at my kitchen table wearing gym clothes and writing up this knitting post.  My knitting has picked up a bit, finally.  I find pockets of time each day to do many rows on the mittens .  Such fun to see the pattern emerge, and I hope that a gentle blocking will ease those bumpy knit stitches here and there (I think it will).  My son in law's sweater is getting to the secret sauce of pattern knitting - JOY!  After all that stockinette, I'm thrilled to be patterning and following directions.  Let's hope I continue to have smooth sailing with this knit.  I've been reading Everything I Never Told You  by Celeste Ng.  This has been on my to read list forever and I finally bought a copy.  So far it's a great read and I'm captivated by the various points of view by family members reflecting on a relative's unexpected suicide.  It's not as depressing as it sounds. I'm also readi

Can you see that snow?  I'm in snow heaven!  I measured about 25 inches out there when it was all said and done.  Quite impressive and the best part is that I still have electricity, what a blessing! Alrighty, my knitting is nearly the same.  I am enjoying knitting my top down sweater and since I restarted it, I'm not making grave errors.  Phew!  I have about twelve rows or so until I separate the sleeves from the body. I started a new project yesterday during my snow day.  My poor husband was snow-blowing all day so I started his cowl that he's been asking about since Christmas when I gave one to my son in law.  My husband picked out this madeline tosh merino light while in NYC in a yarn shop. (Knitty City) I continue to read Maeve Binchy's Chestnut Street.   The book is a final collection of her writings before her death and is a series of short stories.  Bite sized reading!  I received Taproot Magazine in the mail this week and that is a savory kind of rea

Hello!  As you can see, I've a new knitting project and a new book.  I love beginnings! I finished Britt Marie was Here and loved loved loved it immensely.  The ending was perfection and I love her character growth throughout the book.  She never sacrificed her true personality in fact she embraced herself but also focused on what SHE wanted.  We should all do that in our life. I also finished Small Victories on Sunday night.  Anne Lamott is a fantastic writer about life in general.  She is raw, honest and poignantly funny about her spiritual journey.  I find myself chuckling as I read her essays.  Reading this book coincided with the beginning of Lent and I might try to do that next Lent as well, this faith reading seems appropriate. My knitting!  I started another Pebble Beach shawl with this lovely soft green wool   So far the yellow tones and the white tones are enough to add some bling but not overpowering. Phew.  I was concerned while I was winding the skein up.

My reading is the same as last week and I'm nearly done reading both books.  I love Britt-Marie and all of her thoughts and reflections.  Britt-Marie is my soul sister with her love of list making!  Backman's writing style is quite refreshing, poignant and funny.  He can be quirky too. As you know, I love anything that Anne Lamott writes, so her Small Victories  book which is essentially a collection of essays about faith and life, makes me want to be a better writer and an observer to my everyday occurrences. My knitting is chugging along.  The shawl is nearing the end and each row is pure bliss.  My top down cardigan has met with some problems.  I had to rip back and fix a crucial step in the construction so while the sweater here looks like there is progress, I am facing a little bit of catch up knitting to match the above photo.  I'm okay with that, mistake finding is humbling :) What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dream

Much to my delight, I found Britt-Marie was Here  in paperback over the past weekend at the bookstore.  I've been wanting to read this book for quite a while.  Backman's writing style reminds me of Roald Dahl for adults.  Also I started Small Victories by Anne Lamott, she is such a fantastic writer and observer of life.  She's a treat to read! Today I'll be doing afterthought heels on my socks in a pretty lilac that doesn't match but definitely "goes" with the socks.  I continue to make progress on my shawl and sweater , but no photos today. What are you knitting and reading? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

I started another top down raglan cardigan for me over the weekend.  I thought long and hard about what pattern to use with fingering weight wool and decided to knit a cardigan that fits beautifully and I've knit twice.  I'm in my happy knitting place! I'm enjoying My Name is Lucy Barton  so far.  I should be done with this book some time tomorrow.  This novel explores a mother-daughter relationship and how life experiences bring complexity to our interactions with the ones we love.  If you are a mother or daughter or both, you might like this book. What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

Hello!  I'm thrilled to share with you my knitting and reading this week. On my Asana Shawl , I've reached the lace and beading section.  Beading my knitting is right up there with pure bliss.  If you haven't done any beading you should. I highly recommend the dental floss technique of placing beads. Ingenious!! My sock , oh my sock....I am done with the first one and am starting the second sock.  I'm doing the afterthought heel trying to maintain the integrity of the disappointing striping.  I love Trekking XXL sock yarn but this colorway is quite disappointing. Last but not least, I'm thinking of knitting another top down cardigan sweater.  I loved all of your suggestions in this post  but I keep wearing this and this  every single week.  So I'm going to do another one, minus the lace insert.  Now I just have to find my notes.. I continue to read The Sellout which is not a quick and speedy read.  Following the heels of the monumental mammoth readi

Good morning!  I'm reading another book and feel like I'm just whizzing through each one.  That's what happens when you read a long non-fiction book.  Anyways, I received this book as a Christmas present and only just started reading last night.  So I have no opinions. My knitting has been making steady progress.  The socks are slowly showing the stripe and I've tried three times to get the stripe to be straight.  I gave up and decided that a swirl is what it is.  Oh well.  My asana shawl is still at the increasing stage and now that I've got many stitches on the needles, the knitting is soothing and relaxing. Oh and I finished my citron and posted yesterday ! I'm contemplating a sweater cast on....but not sure which one I'll do.  I want it to be a cardigan in fingering weight that is top down construction.  If you have any ideas that fit the criteria, let me know in the comments.  I also have some sport weight wool too. What are you knitting and

  Blink, Blink.....see that?  Isn't it wonderful I am reading something NEW!  After my long read of Alexander Hamilton and dense complex sentence structures, I am whizzing through this book.  So far, I'm enjoying the relaxing read. And no, I'm not going to start any more history reads for a few months.  I'm recovering from expanding my knowledge. I decided to start a pair of socks for myself because that's what I do when I can't quite decide what to knit next.  I knit a small accessory.  I bought this sock yarn for my husband some time ago, but then I thought, "Hey, I like purple too!".  So now they are mine. What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

I was out of town over the weekend visiting my sister and my family.  Being the positive thinker that I am (ahem..) I brought both books along.  I did read but not very much.   Norwegian Wood is interesting and I feel like I've read this before.  So far the novel is captivating. Alexander Hamilton is nearly finished.  I enjoy reading this and I am definitely planning on more history book reading in 2017.  After a nice long breezy break reading some plot driven books.  Who knew I'd like to read history?  I hated history in high school with an intense passion.  We age, we grow as humans and our tastes change. I'm making steady progress on my gradient citron shawl .  I've added the above left over yarn since I ran out of gradient and want my shawl big.  Hopefully I like the way it looks and I'll keep going!! What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny