“I recognize that knitting can improve my mood in trying circumstances” ― At Knit’s End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much
Today, of all days, is a day to keep your knitting at hand to help your mood for what certainly will be some trying circumstances. But, as Kamala said on Monday night, “We are going to be inaugurated. Period!” So keep her voice echoing in your head as you knit today!
A New Year and some new knitting perhaps? Did any of you cast on a new project to start the New Year? I did not cast on anything new but…
I did some spinning! First, after letting my singles rest a good long time, I plied my last skein of Prose from Hipstrings. It needed two “run through’s” to get enough twist, but it has had a nice bath and it poofed up beautifully! I love how all of this turned out. It is a little heavier than fingering weight and I think I have about 1100 yards of yarn, though I have not calculated the final yardage since washing, but I should have enough to do a cropped-ish sweater with 3/4 length sleeves.
AND!! I I spun up this beauty as well! It is a very interesting blend of fiber! I erroneously thought this was the same blend as Buoy, but I was wrong… however, I really like this yarn and I might have ordered some more of it. It would make a wonderfully cozy hat and a pair of mitts!
I also have been knitting a few rounds on my socks, as you can see, and I might be done but after I completed the heel I just started knitting the leg… sans the pattern. Sigh. I was about 20 rows in when I realized it, but rather than rip it all out I tried something new. I just unraveled the 4 stitches on each side and reknit with the pattern this time! Yes, I shocked myself! Yes, it was a bit fiddly, but I did it!!
New pattern! The Montclair Sock. Now available on Payhip for an introductory price of $2.50CAD. https://t.co/rBrnRPDK5g pic.twitter.com/Y3spxCewo9
— Kate Atherley wears a mask when she goes out (@kateatherley) January 5, 2021
Remember that Twitter Sock KAL I did with Kate Atherley last year? Well, she has released the pattern (you no longer have to thread the tweets together to knit!) It is a great sock construction, a different toe (no grafting!) and they are so comfy!
Now, how about a little reading? I have managed to finish ONE book to start the new year (although I am close on a couple of others…) It was a lovely book to start the year with!
History of the Rain by Niall Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“We tell stories. We tell stories to pass the time, to leave the world for a while, or go more deeply into it. We tell stories to heal the pain of living.”
This book. Oh my goodness. The writing. The words. They gathered my hands and drew me gently in to the most wonderous story! I laughed, I cried… a lot, and just did not want it to end. I want to be Ruth Swain! I want to have Niall Williams gift of writing! I want to live in a place where…It started raining here in the sixteenth century and hasn’t stopped.
But more than anything, this:
I am plain Ruth Swain. See me, nineteen, narrow face, MacCarroll eyes, thin lips, dull hazelnut hair, gleamy Swain skin, pale untannable oddment, bony, book-lover, reader of so many nineteen-century novels before the age of fifteen that I became too clever by half, sufferer of Smart Girl Syndrome, possessor of opinions and good marks, student of pure English, Fresher, Trinity College Dublin, the poet’s daughter.
If this brilliant book is not on your must read list, put it there immediately. But better than that, get it, open it and start reading!
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I love seeing those colorful socks; they put a smile on my face! And your spinning! I have never heard of Manx Loaghtan but it is a very interesting blend that spins into interesting yarn. I thank you for the book recommendation. Whenever you are that definitive about a book I know I have to read it, so I’m off to look for it (right now)!
your spinning is perfection! I started a new shawl yesterday since the weekend was a bit busy and crazy. It was so nice to knit all day long.
Love those colorful socks Kat! What yarn is that? And your spinning! WOW! Such beauty. I have not yet read anything by Niall Williams, but that book sounds intriguing for sure!
Your Prose looks lovely — clearly the time spent adding some additional twist was worth it! I appreciate your comments about Wild Geese, too, and I actually have a little sample to spin up that came with my Base 12 shipment, so I’ll be giving it a try soon.
I’m glad your year has started off with a great book and hope it bodes well for the whole year!
Starting the year with a 5-Star read is the way to go! I’m wrapping up many tail-ends of books—so forcing myself not to crack a new spine til tomorrow.
I was able to get The History of Rain from the Brooklyn Public Library as an e-book. I’m excited for it to be my next read!
That’s some good looking handspun you’ve got there. Thanks for the book recommendation!
Oh wow, I love that “unusual blend” and how that spun up!! It looks so earthy and real.
Another one for my list of recommendations – it’s in my library catalogue so I’ll be ordering this morning.
lol I still remember with ‘fondness’ the knobbly ‘stuff’ I brought home from my foray into spinning way back in the last century. Never did try again- leaving it to others who were more skilled than me. I do like the look of ‘Prose’ it has a wintery look about it.
Today was definitely more trying than any of us would of imagined! But I finished a blog post and listened to enough of the Senate tonight when it resumed to be proud of our representatives, both sides spoke eloquently. Now I’d like to knit endlessly to get over today. To a better tomorrow. Thanks for your blog.
Yesterday turned out much worse than even I anticipated. But the positive: we now have 2 Democratic senators from Georgia and Joe Biden has been certified as the winner. I’m trying to focus on that and not the other “stuff” — which sends chills up my spine and makes me worry about what’s to come, even still.
But on a different note – I am adding The History of Rain to my TBR. It sounds beautiful!! Thank you! Your spinning is dazzling – go Kat!!
Beautiful job on the yarn Kat! And that book…I can’t wait!
I read History of the Rain a few years ago and just loved it! The yarn you spun is pretty amazing and I hope you enjoy knitting with it!