by Kat | Jul 6, 2016 | General, Making
Trying to get back into the rhythm of the week after a long weekend has not been easy this week. I am off my game, seriously behind, and today I am determined to get this train back on track.
It is a new day – a do over, as it were.
So, with list in hand – I am on a mission to get things done today.
Included on the list is to finish clue four on the TTL MKAL.
But, before I can do that there is a kitchen and a bathroom on my list.
Oh, and laundry.
Good thing I have something excellent in my ears today – The Summer Before the War will make the work lighter so I can get to those last 10 rows! I finished up Dead Water and thus filled another square on my Book Bingo card! No bingo’s yet – and now comes the hard work of the card..
Have a fantastic Wednesday. Joining Ginny in her Yarn Along.
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by Kat | Jun 29, 2016 | General, Making
Last week I shared that this book showed up in several places in my internet world last week, and the library had it available digitally, so I borrowed it. I started reading it over the weekend, and while I am not too far into the book, it is causing me to think about lots of things. Curious things. Creative things. So far, I like it.
I finished reading The Redbreast and The Paris Architect (both of which I loved). The Paris Architect was a book I was not sure I would like, so I am using this one for a square in my Book Bingo (The book that I think I will dislike) however, I loved it. Really loved it! I am marking The Redbreast into the classic mystery square. No bingo’s yet, but my squares are getting filled in!
I am listening to Dead Water by Anne Cleeves, and The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson is up next. This should get me through a few more Summer Knit Along Projects!
I am not through clue 4 of Kirsten Kapur’s mystery knit along and in order to keep the mystery going, I am not looking ahead at the new clue that is out today. Yeah, there was no way I could get that clue done in the weeks time. Plus!! I also hope to be done with the first of two Jen Lucas no longer mystery shawls, I have about 30 rows to go, however they are LONG rows! I am not sure that the long rows are better than short rows of a knit on border – it seems that the edging on Aestlight went much quicker, but maybe that was because I had quickly memorized the pattern. Alas, there is no memorizing anything beyond a row in the Jen Lucas shawl, nor the mystery shawl. So, I have my charts keyed into knitCompanion, which helps tremendously for these long rows!
It also helps that the weather outside is simply glorious today, pergola knitting is on the schedule today and the audio book will join me!
But, tell me – How is your reading and knitting coming along this summer?
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by Kat | Jun 24, 2016 | General
The spinning this week continues. I have been working patiently though this gorgeous Targhee from Sheepspot Fiber Club.
This is a serious spin – as in counting treadles and lacing my flyer to get a nice lace-weight yarn – these things are not things I have done before for any project! I have half spun up and have half to go. This is such beautiful fiber – I have never spun Targhee and so this was a real treat! It has so much spring and the fiber drafts beautifully – practically by itself! Truly, this is drafting so easily, I am able to pull just a few fibers out at a time getting a nice fine single. I am using the 15:1 whorl on my Schacht Matchless, so I am putting a good bit of twist into the single. I love how my ply back sample looks and this is what I will be aiming for when I ply this up. This will bloom drastically in the wash so my goal is a light fingering weight, heavy lace weight and I think I will achieve it! Stay Tuned!
Friday Link Ups:
For the book lovers out there when a book appears in your vision, not once but three times in a week it is a message from the Book Gods! I heeded their call and have queued it up on my Kindle to read. I also finished Still Life and loved it! My bingo card is getting close to my first bingo! Summer reading FTW!
That’s all I have this week, have the Happiest of FriYAY’s! I will see you back here on Monday – and Tuesday there will be a special update on the Summer Knit Along that you won’t want to miss!
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by Kat | Jun 22, 2016 | General, Making
Wednesday’s are for knitting and reading, okay, perhaps every day is for knitting and reading! But, today Ginny is leading us all with her Yarn Along!
So, on to the knitting: I am making great progress on my Summer Knit Along list, I have finished Aestlight, and I would have a photo for you, but it is currently getting a nice soak and then it will be ready for a wee bit of blocking. Not too much, I do not want the garter stitch sections to lose their lovely squishy feel. I will have photos to share soon!
I also have completed clue three of Through the Loops Mystery shawl, clue four is out today and I am ready to go!
Also, I have picked out another item from the WIP Basket to knit, this is another mystery shawl, this time from Jen Lucas. While the shawl is no longer a ‘mystery’ – I am working through Chart C. I am on repeat 2 of 6. Then I just have Chart D, which has 3 repeats. I am getting to the point of having lots of stitches on my needles, and they are growing with each repeat. It feels like the knitting is slow, but I am making progress. It is perfect for knitting and listening to a good book, like Still Life by Louise Penny. I am really happy with the recommendation that Carole gave on the Inspector Gamache books, I am enjoying book one tremendously and look forward to reading more from this series.
I am also still reading Jo Nesbo’s The Redbreast – I am about a quarter of the way though and, as previous books in this series, I am thoroughly enjoying the antics of Harry Hole.
I have a little bit of gardening to get done this morning, then you will find me under the pergola knitting and reading. Have a great Wednesday everyone!
P.S. On a spinning note, Sheepspot Fiber Club is open today for new registrations, just sayin’! You can read about my experience as a member here.
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by Kat | Jun 21, 2016 | General, Words
It’s Tuesday and that means Carole wants to know:
10 Things to Do While Listening to an Audiobook
Well, I have been enjoying Audiobooks a tremendous amount. I don’t know about you, but for me there is just something amazing about getting things done and reading (listening to) a book as the same time!
So, here is the list of things I have recently accomplished while listening to Audiobooks:
- Laundry is really not so bad when you are listening to a great book!
- Knitting – of course, this has been a huge help in me getting my Knit Along List whittled down!
- Spinning – again, the best companion to treadling away!
- Walking – this really is fabulous. Getting some exercise in during a half hour or so walk has helped increase my daily step count!
- Gardening – specifically, weeding. Thanks to a good book, the gardens are staying weed free this summer!
- Cooking dinner – unless your other half wants to talk to you while you are cooking…
- Preserving – making pickles and jams is fun, but more fun while listening to a good book!
- Sewing – Inspector Gamache is fabulous while sitting at the Bernina™
- Vacuuming – while it does not make the task entirely fun – it helps tremendously!
- Ironing – again, a most tedious task made better with a good book in your ears!
So tell me, Gentle Reader…Audiobooks – yes? No? What’s in your ears right now?
