by Kat | Sep 26, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Packing for a trip can be a challenge. There are so many things to take into consideration – weather, activities, etc. However, if you are a knitter then you have an added layer of things to think about.
Knitting projects.
For me, this is perhaps the most crucial item to take (outside of my Bialetti because good coffee is crucial!!)
Enter Woolelujah!
Fill this sucker and I should not want for things to knit right? Trust me – I (over)filled it!
Hope your weekend was grand, mine sure was!
by Kat | Sep 23, 2016 | General
When one of my absolute favorite designers collaborates with some friends and they put together a collection of “Drop-Dead Easy Knits” I was excited to see what the collection would include. I pre-ordered the book and it was delivered on Tuesday – at which point, I dropped everything and started to page through.
Paging through turned into reading and before I knew it an hour had passed and I had a list of items to add to my Ravelry queue.
I had foolishly assumed the book would contain a collection of accessories, and while it has some really lovely accessory knitting pieces, there is so much more. Sweaters, baby items, and even a MDK Log Cabin blanket!
The thing I love the most about the book though is how the patterns are written.
How many times have you begun knitting a pattern and wished that some parts were highlighted boldly with the read ahead instructions? For me this has happened numerous times and it generally means frogging back several rows to correct the thing I have either omitted or kept doing but should have stopped.
In Drop-Dead Easy Knits the patterns have a special call out for “Concentration Zones” cluing you in to what is coming ahead. Likewise, they clearly mark areas where you can click on “Cruise Control” and knit on without worry (and it even tells you how long you can knit without worry!!)
Another bonus for knitters everywhere is the reference section where they give “alternate yarn suggestions by pattern”! Yes, really. And, the list is not compiled of one alternative – there are multiples for every project!
I was especially happy to see that it is number one on the Amazon Best Sellers in Knitting list this morning so if you buy only one knitting book this year, this would be an excellent choice. Seriously! Your knitting library will thank you!
Now for some Friday Links:
That is all I have for today! Have a fantastic week and see you back here on Monday!!
by Kat | Sep 22, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Enjoying: Hot coffee after a summer of sipping it iced! For me it is the perfect transition to fall and one that is very welcome!
Making: The last of the local peaches into jam. I have perfected the recipe of the course of the season. It is so good, especially in homemade Greek yogurt! Also, a big batch of pesto with the last of the basil from the garden.
Eating: So. Many. Tomatoes!
In My Ears: A Fatal Grace – my second Inspector Gamache novel. I have about 4 chapters to go and it is really so good!
Watching: Crimes of Passion while I ride the bike in the morning. I am almost done with the series, so up next Luther will be my companion!
Packing: For a trip to Michigan – Konmari items, gifts, yarn for a couple of pairs of socks and this sweater, and clothes for two seasons – it could be warm, or it could be very cold! Also, my Bialetti, because coffee is ultimately necessary for household happiness.
Loading: My Kindle with a few good vacation reads (and I am taking one actual library book – The Year of Living Danishly)
Planning: The perfect balance of time with family and alone with Steve. However, I am lucky that one small being tips the scale in my direction giving me a double vote on what to do!
Excited: To try our first Airbnb experience as well as a taste of autumn in Northern Michigan and some nice long walks in Leelanau County.
Anticipating: A Happy Hour or two at North Peak, lunch at J&S Hamburg, and ice cream with Genevieve!
Save
by Kat | Sep 21, 2016 | General, Making
slog /släɡ/ verb 1. work hard over a period of time. synonyms: grind, slave, plod, toil
For me, Sleeve Island is the slog of sweater knitting. The slowest part of the entire process (although maybe not for this sweater – it all has been slow going!!)
However, in working the K1P1 shawl collar on my modified pullover I may have discovered the other slog of knitting. These rows are LONG!
Conversation from last night:
Steve: When will that be done?
Me: I think I need 15 more rows…
Steve: How long will that take?
There’s a confidence booster for you! Haha! Just so it is written down somewhere, my goal is to have this DONE before we leave on vacation.
Perhaps, Inspector Gamache can help!
Teaming up with Ginny and the Yarn Along today where you can find plenty of production on the knitting and reading front!
What is your knitting slog?
by Kat | Sep 20, 2016 | General, Words
Hello Tuesday! And, you know what that means! Carole wants to know something!! This week she asks:
We’re going to shake things up a little bit this week and do two lists of 5 things. First, I want you to write about the 5 best things you did this summer. And then I want you to share 5 things you are looking forward to doing this fall.
Summer bests, there were quite a few of them!
- My Summer Knit Along takes first place – for me it was really just the motivation I needed to clean up a plethora of languishing knits. Best thing about it – absolutely no requirements, no pressure, just go at whatever pace you desired. A win-win for all! I managed to get a good number of things done too!
- My vegetable garden had some tremendous successes. Tomatoes, beans, peppers, and raspberries were all in that category. I am still picking about a pint of raspberries every other day and tomatoes – what can I say – we have them in abundance!
- A couple of new flower beds that really added some lovely oomph to the back yard – including their being a huge draw for bees of all sorts!
- The new pergola which precipitated
- Some really nice extra-long weekend staycations. (although the summer ended on a very warm noted, it did get some use in May!)
Now, on to what autumn has in store! (Besides the cessation of AC usage – I am so over it!)
- Cooler days that will afford the use of the pergola well into the fall and
- Using our new re-purposed fire pit a number of times more before the bitter cold sets in
- A trip to Michigan to visit family – this is on the schedule currently and I am so eager for it!
- A trip to a Hops Festival (with my son and perhaps my daughter!!) and perhaps a winery or two while in Michigan. (Also, a stop at the Grand Traverse Distillery!) (After all that, you’d think a 12 step program would be on my list…)
- Some home improvement things in the house – not a super fun thing on the list, but some fresh paint will absolutely spark joy!
There you have it – the best of summer and some autumnal anticipation! What are you looking forward to?
by Kat | Sep 19, 2016 | General, In This Moment
The weekend started off so perfectly and even a bit early on Friday – good eats, great drinks and a quiet evening at home where the great AC debate took place. I lost and the AC went back on.
Saturday brought a bit of retail therapy, a trip to Primanti’s, and watching Michigan Football! There was even a sleeve cast on!! Oh, and cleaning – there was some cleaning.
Sunday we decided to toss the house on its ear and rearrange furniture. There might have been some yelling. Okay, maybe quite a bit and it was not all done by me, just sayin!!
I am really feeling like I need more weekend and so I am going to indulge in one more day or at least part of if while I am home alone. Monday, it’s your lucky day!
