November Knitting

November Knitting

November has just flown by at warp speed. If it were possible, I’d ask Scotty to beam me back! Perhaps he has and I don’t know it – yesterday it was well into the 60’s here with the same today. This weather does not seem at all Novemberish!

But, December is knocking at the door and despite my gift knitting through the year, I always have a few last-minute things that seem like a good idea to try to cast on to get finished for Christmas gifting.

I finished slippers for Steve’s mom – I knit them with Lamb’s Pride Worsted and at a tighter gauge than the pattern calls for. I really love the fabric I got and I think these will be a sturdy, long-wearing slipper! All that is left to do is seam up the slipper backs and wash them. I have a few more skeins of the Lamb’s Pride and I think I will make a couple more pairs to send out with holiday packages.

I am anticipating some Project Peace knitting starting tomorrow – one very good thing about the arrival of December! I am all ready to cast on tomorrow! I will be using the knitting time to do some meditation for the season.

My reading slowed down over the holiday weekend, but I finished The Underground Railroad today. The narration is incredibly wonderful on this audiobook and the story is so compelling and powerful and it will be a story that will stay with me a long time. I am struck by how things have not changed in some aspects and that is incredibly sad. I give this book 5 stars and if you have not read it, I highly recommend it.

I have about 100 pages left of Burial Rites – and I am glad I stayed with this book – Agnes has tucked herself into my heart and I am holding out hope that things take a good turn for her.

Up next in my reading, Michael Chabon’s The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. This was an Overdrive “recommendation” – which I look forward to each week!

I better get back to my holiday knitting, are you doing any gift knitting this year?

Joining up with Ginny’s Yarn Along as usual today.

Randomly Tuesday

Randomly Tuesday

It seems that Tuesday’s have become the Black Hole for blogging.

So, I will share the jumbled thoughts in my brain on this grey Tuesday…read at your own risk!

Have you seen the reading list for resistance? I have added several these to my reading list! If nothing else, 2017 will be the year of reading well!

I continue to be amazed by the stark differences in Kelbourne Woolens swatch project. Links to all experiments are here.

Last week, I finished reading James Rebanks second novel – The shepherd’s view: modern photographs from an ancient landscape. I loved it cover to cover. The photos are spectacular and the interweaving of stories with the photos make me want to live in his neighborhood. I gave it 5 stars – and I strongly encourage you to read it!

I began decorating for Christmas this past weekend, and since we moved the furniture around in the living room – I can put out things I had not had out since before my move. It was a lovely exercise in nostalgia. Decorating continues this week with a goal of completion by Friday.

I have been contemplating resolutions for next year (yes, already!!) and I have been seriously looking at my daily schedule and working around what to change, what to eliminate, and what to add. Honore’ has inspired me greatly this year in her journal practices and I loved the simplicity of what I learned during my Just Five Things experience. Simple? Yes, but the impact of this simplicity was profound.

I am eagerly awaiting some Peace Knitting starting on Thursday. And, I also love this new cowl by my favorite stitcher. A fingering weight cowl sounds like the perfect accessory! It is on sale through December 3, if you are interested as well!

That is all I have for this Tuesday. How is your week unfolding?

Holding On

Holding On

I, like these determined little leaves, am holding on to November for dear life!

December is looming large and I am not ready for all the Christmas things quite yet!

Add to that the feeling that this year has just gone by far too quickly and I am very happy to revel in the last few days of November.

The weekend was quiet, but very good. There was lots of eating, some knitting, some movie watching with Steve, and a bit of heartbreaking football (this was not the quiet portion of the weekend by any means!) and even a walk or two for good measure.

Now, I am off to get outdoors and take a nice long, head-clearing walk! How was your weekend?

Waning November

Waning November

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air. Eric Sloane

No lakes here, but there the crunch and rustle of leaves make walking a treat for the ears. Have a beautiful Sunday!

Ave Atque Vale

Ave Atque Vale

Or, as Sherman is gleefully shouting – Hail and Farewell!

I tried all week to get Sherman photos, however he was having absolutely no part of it. In the end, Steve picked him up and he participated, albeit unwillingly!

This photo was right after I said to him, “I swear it is the last one…”

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And, then he began racing gleefully around the back yard.

Hope your Saturday is filled with as much enthusiasm as Sherman’s with the ending of Saturday posting for another year!

 

Wool Friday

Wool Friday

The knitting continues – today this blue yarn will become the slippers that Steve requested earlier this week. It is a super simple pattern and will be done in short order. And, really – thank goodness for stash!

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I have also been trying to spin a few minutes a day – which for me has been working out to evening spinning for a few minutes each night. During the week, I got one bobbin done. My goal is an actual 4-ply lace weight yarn. This is some old vintage Spunky Club Polwarth fiber in the “Hungry” colorway. Which after yesterday, I am certainly not! But, it is spinning up beautifully!!

Let’s get to the links, shall we?

This week has some good ones – and again, lots that can be some last-minute gift knitting:

Gift knitting ideas:

Not knitting for Christmas? No problem – some long-term knitting projects here!

I hope your holiday weekend is going well and that you are not still in a turkey coma! See you back here tomorrow!!

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