by Kat | Jun 15, 2016 | General, Making
I am so happy to share that I can move some things from in-process to completion: The Goldfinch is finished, as is Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, and Indigo Cones is finished, except for the button selection.
I loved, loved, loved The Goldfinch and really wished it would not end, despite the length of the book. I truly was enamored of young Theo. He tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh at some of his antics, and at times I wanted to wring his neck! The writing was really perfection, as well. Donna Tartt’s turn of a phrase was ingenious. I give this book a 5-star rating!
Twenty-five years ago I read and LOVED Outlander and quickly read the two subsequent novels in the series that Diana Gabaldon wrote. So, I really thought I’d like Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. I could not be more wrong. I did not like it at all. How curious that one’s taste can change so dramatically in that amount of time. I kept hoping that if I just read one more chapter, I would like it. Sadly, it did not and I only gave it 2 stars.
That means I have 2 squares crossed off on my Book Bingo Card!
Up next in my reading queue is The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo and in my ears is Still Life (Book One of the Inspector Gamache series).
I also have completed an item from my Summer Knit Along List – Indigo Cones that I started some 2 years ago is off the needles! I know – even better, I have the entire summer to wear it! Button selections to commence shortly. I made some modifications to the project, and you can see all the details of it here.
I completed Clue Two on Kirsten Kapur’s Mystery Shawl and I am ready to start knitting Clue Three (which is out this morning) I am also working on finishing up the edging on Aestlight – this will be done quickly, I hope, but at least they are short rows!
Hopefully your knitting is progressing well and that you have some things that you are finishing! But, what I really want to know is what are you reading next! Want to see what the other Yarn Along-ers are up to? Head over to Ginny’s and see! There is rain here today (thankfully) so I am going to make like BooksCatsYarn and queue up Chef’s Table in Netflix and knit clue #3.
P.S. I made some jam yesterday. OMG, the jam! Really. The.Best.Jam.EVER! Really. Thanks, Judy! And, the color – seriously! Deep, intense, dark red jam with flavor that is amazing. I used balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary from my garden. I made half the recipe and the jam was thickened in about half the time. No pectin used at all and this is the thickest, most perfectly set jam I have ever made. But, really – I am telling you that you need to make this jam! ASAP!
by Kat | Jun 1, 2016 | General, Making
It is Wednesday (although it feels like Tuesday to me!) and that means it is time for some Yarn Along with Ginny. But, really – summer officially beings for me today!
Why?
Well, the arrival of Clue 1 of Kirsten Kapur’s Mystery Shawl means the start of summer for me and that clue is here!
This will be the fourth time I have participated in her Shawl MKAL and I really like getting a bit of a pattern each week to work on. The first few clues can be completed fairly quickly, and they pique my interest for what will unfold in the remaining clues. This year will be extra special though as there are some blog friends participating (Hello Vicki, Patty, Margene, and Bev!!)
My yarn is caked, the pattern printed and as soon as I have my work for today done, I will cast on and get started!
Summer Knit-Along knitting is also making progress! I am making my way through the pattern repeats of Indigo Cones, I should have the back done today. Then it will be on to the right front. I have read ahead in the pattern and realized why I set this aside. The neckband instructions seem very unclear to me. I am hoping they will make more sense once I have the body of the sweater done. Time will tell, I will spend a bit of time today seeing if anyone has some good notes on Ravelry that can assist me. My fingers are crossed!
My summer reading has begun as well! I am working on my Book Bingo card. Book One – The Goldfinch, which covers my “with an animal on the cover or in the title” square! I am not too far into it yet, but so far I am enjoying it immensely!
What’s in your summer reading queue?
by Kat | May 18, 2016 | General, Making
Today is Yarn Along, and the light has finally appeared at the end of the reading tunnel! I finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo and I liked it a bit more than I did his first Harry Hole novel. Harry was not drowning in the bottom of a whiskey bottle this time, and again, I did not see the ending coming at all!
And!!!
I should have Mink River done today!
I know, there may even be a bit of a dance of joy with its completion!
On the knitting front, Ann and Kay are having a little mini KAL through the end of the month – the goal to finish that “second sock” which is perfect, because I had finished the first Morwenstowe sock and had started the second one. Since the kickoff on Monday I have been knitting a bit each day and am on the heel flap! The heel should be turned today and then just cruising down the foot in the race to the toe! Perhaps, I can even get this dreaded pair of socks finished before month end.
Why dreaded you ask? Well, dark yarn on size zero needles makes for very difficult knitting. As in, I can only see clearly in bright sunlight to knit the damned things! No rainy day knitting or watching TV knitting with these socks!
Please note, that will only work if the Monsoon Season that has arrived (apparently to stay) in Western PA is replaced with some bright and sunny days.
I am not holding out much hope.
However, tomorrow I have some really fun and exciting news to share with you! I hinted at it last week, and tomorrow all shall be revealed!
Until then, Gentle Reader, what exciting things are you knitting or reading today?
by Kat | May 11, 2016 | General, Making
It’s already Wednesday?? Does anyone else feel like this week is just flying by?! Here it is the week is almost half over, I still have lots of stuff on my “To Do” list. This is perhaps because my list this week is filled with things I really don’t like to do and I just cannot procrastinate about them any longer.
Yes, I am an expert at procrastination!
However, today is Yarn Along and I should be sharing what I am knitting and reading today, but I have been carding rolags to spin for a sweater. My basket was full of rolags and I started spinning yesterday, and have two equal bobbins that are ready for plying.
I also pulled out the November Sheepspot Fiber Club Coopworth roving and spun half of it up last night. I will ply it today and get the second half of the fiber spun up.
Beth shared a great post yesterday and her Instagram feed has been nagging me lately. I have a couple of fleeces that I need to get washed and she may have supplied me with the motivation to get it done! She certainly makes it look easy.
My reading has been in fits and spurts. I read nothing all weekend and have two books that I need to get finished so I can return them to the library. I am about halfway through both of them and it is really inexcusable that I have not finished them! I am a reading slacker!! But, we have more rain in the forecast so the outdoor gardening work is in a holding pattern so I think I will find time to get them finished this week.
The leaves of Pincha are growing slowly and I have a sock in the wings as well.
As you can see, I have plenty to keep me busy, but my list calls! What is nagging you on your list this week?
by Kat | Apr 27, 2016 | General, Making
Wednesday, how I love you! You usher in the downhill ride to Friday while giving me a nice pause to review my week and refocus my priorities. And, you are also all about reading and knitting! Just ask Ginny!
I started this book yesterday and I am hoping to get some uninterrupted reading time today.
And these socks. I am enamored. The yarn is lovely, thank you Yvonne for the stellar recommendation.
How is your week progressing?
I also have completed an item from my Summer Knit Along List – Indigo Cones that I started some 2 years ago is off the needles! I know – even better, I have the entire summer to wear it! Button selections to commence shortly. I made some modifications to the project, and you can see all the details of it here.
