Greetings Unravelers!
Though it pains me to say it, welcome to the final Wednesday in October. I am in a bit of shock that the month raced by as rapidly as it did.
This week, I have practically nothing on the knitting front to share… nary a stitch was knit on that sweater but I did start a pair of Socks for Big Foot… from handspun… and I am loving the start! (Big Foot has seen them and so I can share a photo here! lol) I am not using a pattern…I started out by casting on 72 stitches, but that was too big so I ripped it out and tried 68 stitches which was still too big… rippppp again! I settled on 64 stitches and that was just right! Who knew Big Foot and Goldilocks were related! LOL
The other thing I did was some spinning this weekend… it was rainy, dark, and cold. So I queued up Granchester on my PBS app and started the “engine” on my Daedalus Sparrow. I finished As Natural as Aspartame and while I waited for that last bobbin to rest, I started spinning this! Oh man, is it lovely fiber…Buoy in Seafoam from Hipstrings. I am stunned that I got an entire 4 ounces on one bobbin. I have not started this next braid, but I am eager to get going on it!
On Monday afternoon, my treat for finishing my “list” was to ply the pinkish-purplish yarn. It was the first time I plied anything on my Sparrow and I am in love! Once I got the hang of it, the ONLY thing I had to think about was how much twist was going into the yarn. No treadles to count, no concerns about treadle speed changing… I set the speed and plied. I need more practice on starting and stoping while plying, and evenly filling the bobbin but I am a convert to an electric spinner! I got some excellent yardage as well… 376 yards of 3-ply yarn! I see a pair of socks for me in my future!
A slow reading week…but some very good reads! And I am *almost* done with Suzanne Simard’s book, Finding the Mother Tree. I am not rushing through it… it is just so fascinating!
The Devil’s Cave by Martin Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bruno is back with the perfect mystery for October! There are some mysterious goings on in St. Denis and fortunately, Bruno is there to gather clues. He has a new pup, which makes me happy… and he is trying to figure out his personal life.
I love solving these crimes with Bruno… Walker unveils them bit by bit. And, the ambiance of St. Denis with it’s quirky inhabitants, and delicious food and wine… it is the most lovely place to settle into for a bit!
Three Sisters by Heather Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book in The Tattooist of Auschwitz story, and while there is a brief interlude with Lale, the book is really about three sisters – Cibi, Magda, and Livia – and their lives. It is a compelling story and while the horrors of Nazi Germany are part of the story, but really the story is about the relationships of these sisters and the promise they made to their father.
The story is beautifully told, poignant, and a compelling listen. (Excellent narration by Finty Williams, by the way!)
I loved how this story went far beyond the concentration camps to their immigration to Israel and their lives there. I highly recommend this story!
I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
What about you? What has captured your attention this week? A good book? A great pattern? Please share!
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave you link below!
Those socks look delightfully fall-like, and I’m not sure how you can resist putting them aside to knit socks for yourself with that beautiful pink-purple handspun. Wishing you another good knitting, spinning, and reading week as we head into November!
your spinning always amazes me! It is beautiful. I am nearing the end of a cowl and I finished a baby sweater (love those speedy projects)
Knitting for Big Foot! Now that’s a commitment! 🙂
Your spinning is lovely, Kat. I especially like the Seafoam. (It looks . . . so YOU.) I just finished knitting a test knit project (which is kinda like knitting-for-a-job), so now I want to cast on for All The Things. (And showing much restraint for . . . not.)
Oooh, look at all that beautiful spinning! Big Foot is pretty lucky to be getting handspun socks!
I plan to finish The Sweetness of Water this morning (before I have a two-hour workshop to sit through for work). It’s been an amazing read with gorgeous writing. And I’ve been ignoring my sweater for the past few days in favor of spinning and knitting on some smaller projects.
If I were a spinster (ha!) I would be onto that Daedalus in a heartbeat after reading your review of it. But I’m not so I won’t, but I am happy that you are happy!
I have the first Bruno book in my TBR pile of books from the library. Looking forward to it! And I didn’t know that Tattooist was continued in a series! More books to request!
I hadn’t realized there was another Bruno book out there! Your handspun is gorgeous. the teal! The purples!! and the Bigfoot socks look like they will be so warm!!
This handspun is beautiful. And I am happy to know that Big Foot and Goldlilocks are related. Sixty-four stitches it is. Isn’t it nice to have enough knitting experience to be able to adjust for basic garments and accessories?
I’ve been so curious about your spinning with the electric wheel! the fiber and the yarn are *chef’s kiss!*