Greetings dear Unravelers!

How on earth is it possibly August???

I have a finish this week, yes Shakerag is done! And I love it very much and am contemplating making another one! Shoulder seaming woes and all! Yes… it was a bitch and a half to seam… somehow the fronts and backs were not.the.same.width. I was NOT ripping back again to try and figure out what was the problem (I should have noted this in the pattern, but did not. I have not looked for errata, but I feel certain there must be because the fronts have 10 stitches more than the backs…ugh) Anyway, I managed to “ease” them together. I then decided not to do the “pick up and bind off” neck and arm finish and instead did a single crochet edge, which I like very much. It helps the neckline lay flat and once I re-block the sweater, I don’t think the arm holes will curl under. I LOVE the yarn I picked for this and will absolutely be using it again. It washed up and blocked beautifully! And the feel… it almost has a suede-like texture. It is really quite lovely. My next version will have a split hemline, I think…

And as for the transparency of this sweater… well, it is barely, which I think is just perfect!

I have the body of my second Test Knit done and have departed for Sleeve Island… I wish I could share more, but soon!

Oh this week’s reading! Wonderful!! Plus!! I have my Summer Book Bingo Coverall with the finish of McEwan’s Saturday! A brilliant finish for my card!

Letters to a Young PoetLetters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.”

Imagine wanting to be something… anything… and writing a letter to someone who does what you want to do and he responds to the letter – sharing wisdom, insights, encouragement, and friendship.

This book is the story of that journey… Rilke’s letters to the young friend are beautiful. Gracious. Full of encouragement and hope. The tenderness and beauty of these letters is really quite incredible. The reader only sees Rilke’s responses and I spent a great deal of time pondering what it would have been like to have a mentor like this. But most of all, the wisdom Rilke shares are things you should store away… and you should remind yourself of that wisdom frequently. I highly recommend this book!

SaturdaySaturday by Ian McEwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“When anything can happen, everything matters.”

My goodness can McEwan take you on an incredible journey… this is one of those journeys. Buckle in though… it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Fast-paced and fascinating, this story pulled me in from the beginning and about midway though the day, I remember thinking… boy, if ever the thought of it being a “good day to just stay in bed” this was it! What I really loved was how things eventually are all interconnected. Brilliant writing and McEwan never disappoints! I very much recommend this story!

Summer Book Bingo Square: Month or day of the week in the title

Unsettled GroundUnsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Just wow. This title is pure perfection for the story that unfolds. I could not put it down… and I tried to go slowly to savor it but 24 hours later it was done. This is a story that will stay with me for a very, very, very long time though. I want to say I loved this story… but while I loved the characters, I did not love the story… until it grew on me, or perhaps it is better to say that as this story unfurled it began to envelop me… and as I settled in, I saw things differently.

This will absolutely be one of the best books I have read this year and I highly recommend it!


That is all I have for today but what about you? What does August hold for you?

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