Greetings Unravelers! I am just a few LONG rows away from finishing Sarah Jordan’s Mini Maximization! Stay tuned for glamor shots next week!
In order to show you something NEW and interesting this week, I have some spinning to show you. I have finished skein three of my spin for Andrea Mowry’s Nightshift. I am incredibly happy with my skeins thus far and I started on the singles for skein 4 last night! I am excited to continue spinning and have hopes that my consistency maintains itself. All the fibers are not the same, but I tried to select fibers that all had similar qualities – thus making my worsted-spinning match between bumps of fiber. The last skein was the tiniest bit thicker than the previous skeins because it bloomed more than I thought it would in the finishing, but I think the difference will be imperceptible in the shawl. (Skeins from left to right: Southern Cross Fibre Rambouilet Wool Top – Allium colorway, Southern Cross Fibre Charollais Wool Top – Boil and Bubble Colorway, and Into The Whirled Superfine Merino – Scissors, Lizard, Spock colorway.)
One thing I really want to do more of this year is spin and use the yarn! I have a couple of SQ of wool washed that I would like to spin this year with the idea that I will knit it next year. Goals make all the difference. That is what drew me into this SAL-KAL lead by Brenshevia Boone in her group on FB – the idea that spinning for this project would take a good bit of time, as will the knitting. So, this is a SAL-KAL that runs through the summer – an easy time frame to spin and knit this shawl! We have monthly check-ins that help me stay focused and truly – if I can’t spin a bump of fiber in a month, there is something wrong with me!
Now, how about a bit of a reading update?
This week had two wonderful finishes:
After an extremely long wait, Where the Crawdads Sing finally came through on Overdrive. A beautifully told story, that knocked me for a complete loop in the end. I loved this book deeply and cried for a good part of the end! This book was easily 5-stars and I highly recommend it!
I also squeezed in the quick listen of Michael Eric Dyson’s Tear’s We Cannot Stop. This book is moving – and includes a good number of actionable items that us white folk can do to make a meaningful impact in the black community. It has painful moments – both to listen to and to hear. He also gives an excellent list of “must read” authors. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author and I highly recommend it. Mr. Dyson is a magnificent speaker and hearing him talk to you feels personal and intimate – like he is speaking to you alone. 4-stars – only because I wish it was LONGER!! I highly recommend, especially if you are trying to figure out how to help in light of the recent discussions on IG and Ravelry.
I am almost done with The Ruined House and have very mixed thoughts about this book. Stay tuned for my full review next week!
But, what about you? What is inspiring you this week?
As always, if you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below and thank you for joining us this week!
Nice to see your spinning again – that shawl will be lovely. i just received “Crawdads” on Overdrive and can’t wait to dive in!
I can’t wait to see this beautiful handspun knit up — I really like the combination!
I’m reading “What Truth Sounds Like” at your suggestion and enjoying it, although there are parts I don’t feel smart enough to understand. I think I should be at the top of the list for “Where the Crawdads Sing” in the next week or so and am glad to hear such a good review of it!
That yarn is beautiful. Can’t wait to see it knit up. I’m in for using stash this year too.
Spinning! I’d like to give it a try – but will have to wait til my “next life!” This one’s pretty filled so I’ll just watch you and drool! MED’s book is on my list…we always enjoy listening to him and he’s just “around the corner,” teaching at George Washington University…yeah, we’re lucky!
Spin, Read and Knit on!
Cheers~
Your handspun is beautiful, and Nightshift will be a perfect use for it when you get it all spun. I can’t wait to see your Mini Maximization!
Oh your yarn is going to make a stunning Nightshift … I’ve been following the cowls on Instagram and am really tempted! Crawdads is our May bookclub pick – your 5star review makes me very happy … I have mixed results with bookclub books!
Lovely spinning, Kat! 🙂
Those skeins are beautiful! And off to check out the Crawdads!
Spinning is always good. Using the yarn we spin? That can get tricky!
Those skeins are gorgeous! They are sure to be a treat in your project!
What lovely yarn!
Nice work on the spinning. I’ve been sorting through my stash and realizing I’d have to live to a very ripe old age to use it all…800, maybe? Sigh, whatever was I thinking?
oh, your spinning is beautiful!! I’ll add crawdads to the long list to read, sounds good!!
I admire your spinning. That yarn is going to make a stunning shawl. Now I’m off to check out the crawdads book. Thanks for the tip.
I dropped my sewing machine to be serviced and double check the feed dogs so I’m getting inspired to start sewing again. Hoping to improve my quilting skills AND learn to make some simple garments. I am finally on track with my essex poncho after starting it over like 8 times! Happy Weekend.