by Kat | May 31, 2016 | General, Words
Welcome to Tuesday (that really feels like a Monday)!
What could possibly help this dire situation? Reliving the weekend thanks to Carole and her 10 on Tuesday request:
10 Things You Did This Weekend
The weekend arrived a bit early here, Steve only had to work a half a day on Friday. Summer arrived in full force as well, with temperatures into the 90’s here. But, all in all it was a great weekend with a full spectrum of things to do.
We finished a garden bed that we had been working on expanding this month. Whew!
It was also a weekend of discovery – that is discovery in muscles I did not know – or forgot – I had!
There were plenty of cocktails – thank you Blackberry Brambles, Frose’s, Shrubarb (Thanks Vicki for this FANTASTIC new word!!) coolers, and even a beer or two.
The grill got the maximum amount of possible usage for burgers, grilled chicken, and grilled asparagus! There was also Lobster Ravioli, which was not grilled but so delicious!
In moments of respite from the maximum heat and humidity, there was sewing. Specifically, 100 Acts of Sewing, Dress No. 1 in a lovely Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen that I got from Spool in Pittsburgh. Bonus points were achieved in making and installing the best bias tape I have made and stitched in to date!
There was some spinning – I finished up spinning and plying the ITW batt that I got last year from Maryland Sheep and Wool – I love how it turned out – 400 yards of heavy fingering weight yarn. I almost finished the Shetland done for my sweater project. I just have a tiny bit of spinning to finish and then plying can begin.
There was knitting…I finished sock number one from Carole’s Picot Socks. I LOVE it! Sock number two will be cast on shortly. I also began my Summer Wish List of those WIPs I want to get done this summer – starting with Indigo Cones. Sitting and knitting under the pergola is really lovely, just sayin’.
There was reading – I finished Ann Cleeves White Nights and it was excellent! I thought it was much better than book number one, and I will definitely be continuing with this series this summer! Which is good, because I need a book set in another country for my Book Bingo card! I started The Goldfinch, and within a few pages I was enthralled. This book will be hard to put down – this is a very good thing because as everyone has reminded me this book has over 700 pages!
There was a spectacular Happy Hour under the pergola on Friday!
There was time spent just enjoying that it was the weekend, with deep gratitude that it was not over yet on Sunday night.
There was time spent in meditation and reflection of what the holiday really means, beyond a long holiday weekend, and being filled with profound thankfulness to those willing to serve and give their lives in defense of freedom.
So, tell me – what was your favorite part of your weekend?
by Kat | May 30, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Hello Gentle Reader!
I hope you are having an awesome extended weekend for the holiday, and if you were waiting patiently for the start of the AsKatKnits Summer Knit-Along, the wait is over!
Last night, in preparation, I pulled out one of the WIPs from my basket and sat down with the pattern to figure out where I am so I can spend a little quality time with it today. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I am further along than I thought. I have divided for the sleeves and am cruising up the back. This morning, I have hopes that this will be approaching the finish line by this time next week.
I would love to have you join us, we have some great discussion going on Ravelry!
That’s all I have for today, I am off to do a bit of knitting!
See you back here tomorrow and have a fantastic Memorial Day!
by Kat | May 25, 2016 | General, Making
Wednesday’s are for knitting, reading, and Ginny’s Yarn Along.
In the completion column:
Mink River and Morwenstowe Socks are both DONE!
I loved Mink River, it was the best book and honestly, I was so sad to finish it. I simply fell in love with the townspeople and I wanted to spend more time with them! It was a book that made me want to move where they are – to be part of that special place. I gave it 5 stars and will absolutely look for more books by Brian Doyle.
Morwenstowe socks – are finished as well! I will absolutely knit them again, however, without the “Princess Sole”. I had some issues with ladders in the purl stitches which resulted in a weird gap in the fabric. I do not think it will be noticeable when worn, but to avoid this problem I will just knit them in stockinette. And, I just love the bird’s-eye heels!
That leaves me to share with you what I am knitting and reading today. I am still working on Pincha and the feathers are slowly growing and I am over halfway through Ann Cleeves White Nights. I expect to be finished with this before the end of the week and waiting in the wings is The Goldfinch.
And, because I don’t have enough WIP’s already – I cast on Carole’s Picot Edge Socks last night and I think I found the trick for sock knitting. Self-striping sock yarn…Seriously, I did not want to stop knitting. I kept telling myself that I would just knit to the next color change and kept knitting until Steve asked when was I going to turn the light out – I was nice, I only knit to the next color and stopped. Really. I did.
And, yes I agree, how weird is it that the colors match so well! I seriously bought these yarns years apart from different retailers!
However, Gentle Reader, there are two things I want to know today: what are your plans for the upcoming weekend and what are you reading next!
P.S. There is still plenty of time to join me in the inaugural knit whatever you want AsKatKnits Summer KAL – you can find all the details here.
by Kat | May 23, 2016 | General, In This Moment
Hello Gentle Readers!
It was the best of weekends, it was the worst of weekends.
Yay in that it was the weekend and boo because it rained for most of it.
There was Happy Houring on Friday. It was really nice, even though the weather prevented it from being outdoors.
There was quite a bit of yard working, despite the rain.
There was lots of reading – I finished Mink River (LOVED!!) and I am over half way through White Nights and LOVING it.
There was some knitting (one sock is racing on to the finish line) and some spinning.
But, all in all, it was a good weekend, in spite of the weather.
Today will be jam-packed full of busyness but, on my ‘me’ list for the week is to get some sewing completed.
I picked up some lovely denim over the weekend and I also have some mending to get done.
See you tomorrow…
by Kat | May 19, 2016 | General, Making
Tell me, dear Knitter, have you previously been lured in with a summer long knit-a-rama and all you achieved was epic failure?
Yeah, me too.
And, this topic expanded more when I was talking with my friend, planetKnit, about our usual summer knit along that we had both participated in for the last three years and I told her I was not attempting it this year. I was lacking in time and, quite frankly, the energy to knit three months of new projects. And, it occurred to me that if I felt that way, others surely must as well!
And out of that was born this idea. One that allowed knitter’s (or crocheter’s, stitcher’s, or spinner’s) to participate in whatever fashion they wanted (Heck, you can even participate in other whatever-alongs!)
My questions for you are:
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then I just might have the solution for you! Join me for a summer long knit along where you will find the motivation and encouragement you are looking for!
I have started a Ravelry Group where there will be encouragement and discussion!
There will be cocktails and recipes (more than occasionally!)
And, lots of fun!
So, if you want to have a summer where you knit at your pace (whatever that might be) then, please join us!
We will begin Memorial Day weekend, but there is no penalty for starting earlier, and we will knit through Labor Day Weekend. There is no deadline for project completion, and you can use any kind of yarn you want in whatever amount! You can post photos to your Ravelry project, or not – the choice is yours!
The only requirement is, really, no requirement! This is all focused on helping you get done what you want to get done – from one project to multiple projects – where do you want to be on Labor Day?
Are you in? Feel free to grab a button for your blog! The more the merrier!
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