by Kat | Mar 29, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday
I have been a faithful participant in Ginny’s Yarn Along, but all good things much come to an end. And, so it is with Yarn Along. So, what do you do when reading and knitting are major a major theme for your blog (and, quite frankly, your life?) Maybe you think creatively and determine to make a new spot for those who have the same theme in their life?
And, that is exactly what I did; Welcome to Unraveled Wednesday’s!
I think this is something we all do rather well – in both knitting and reading. And, while unraveling a book might be less painless than unraveling your knitting – it is necessary occasionally.
I hope you will join me on Wednesdays and unravel the stories you are reading and share your crafting inspiration – knitting, crochet, spinning, sewing, quilting, weaving, drawing, etc.
This week my reading was stellar – I finished A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. This is the fourth Inspector Gamache novel I have read, and like others have said before me, this book did not disappoint at all. My love for Armande Gamache grows with each book. I gave it 5 stars and cannot wait to read book five. What’s next? Last year I read and loved Derek Miller’s Norwegian by Night and am looking forward to his new book – The Girl in Green. It is up next in my reading queue.
Knitting is progressing, albeit slowly. However, today I am sharing my stitching pieces from January and February, and March to date – they have yet to be washed or blocked (I don’t know if this is something I am supposed to do or not, research is in process…) I have just a few more days of stitching in March and I am pleased with how this turned out. I have some wonderful ideas for April as well as some lovely fabric swatches that I am going to incorporate. And, I am so excited to begin using lighter colors in my stitching!
January 2017 Stitching
February 2017 Stitching
March 2017 Stitching, thus far…
I am really pleased with how January and February have turned out. If you are interested in learning more about my stitching process, I post my daily stitching on Instagram, please feel free to follow me there! And, if you want to get started on your own stitching journey – I would be happy to share with you the process I am using, and I would encourage you to get a copy of Claire Wellesley-Smith’s Slow Stitch book. It is the best starting point and gives great ideas and inspiration!
That is all I have for today – if you would like to join me, please add your blog link below:
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by Kat | Mar 22, 2017 | General, Making
Knitting and reading have been in a bit of a holding pattern.
I am almost done with A Rule Against Murder with Inspector Gamache. I should have it finished later today.
Up next is this gem from the library. I simply loved Norwegian by Night and I hope I love The Girl in Green as well.
I keep thinking I just have a few more inches to go, but I don’t seem to be getting there. After yesterday’s internal debate about ripping back, the ‘make it perfect’ voice inside me won out, I ripped back and added in the shaping…but!!! This allowed me to try the sweater on again and yep, I now have about 3 inches to go before I have some additional short row shaping and then the ribbing. So, the body is soooo close to being done! I am actually looking forward to getting to Sleeve Island!! Good thing there is a new season of The Bridge available.
Happy Wednesday!
by Kat | Mar 21, 2017 | General, In This Moment
The Woman’s March focus this week is “Reflect & Resist”
In that same vein… here are some things to reflect on this week…
Sometimes the (continued) brilliance of knitters astounds me, but this is insane! Because of this, I have added “take at least one class with Mary Scot Huff” to my list of things to do before I die…
Life has been super stressful with the daily barrage of nonsense coming out of Washington, so I was thrilled when The Night Gardner was available from my local library. Reading it has brought Maximum Stress Reduction… I highly recommend it! I have read it twice so far and it is a lovely, lovely book! Feed your inner child this week – read a kid’s book!
Sweater knitting continues but, sometimes it does not go well…
I will let you know how that blocks out, because I am not ripping back again!
That is all I have for today, but please – tell me something random that is happening in your world today.
by Kat | Mar 15, 2017 | General, Making
Mother Nature has reminded me that we still have winter, despite her tempting us with spring. (although we only got two-ish inches of snow here in my neighborhood, the temperature this morning is bitterly cold! You know – so cold we have a bit of a Pug Strike going on here!)
Thus, sweater knitting has resumed. I had to frog back a bit though, there are these increases/decreases at each side to give the sweater some interest, however, my angle was getting too far over. So I ripped back a bit and am now back on track but without those increases or decreases. I will knit another couple of inches and see how I like that.
Along with listening to Moby Dick. I am not quite half way through, but I confess I am loving the Big Read – hearing each chapter read by a different reader is excellent! I am finding it easy to resume after getting sidetracked by Overdrive titles that have a due date!
Also, a couple of weeks ago, I finished this wonderful hat from Drop Dead Easy Knits – silly me for thinking it would not get much use until next winter! It is getting a work out this week for sure!
Don’t forget March Madness over at MDK today! VOTING has begun!!
Joining Ginny’s Yarn Along where the knitting and reading are always so good.
Finally, one last reminder that my daughter is a reader and she is raising a reader! You can help her Usborne Book Party today here and thank you in advance!!
What are you knitting in this crazy weather!
by Kat | Mar 14, 2017 | General, In This Moment
We went to bed last night with dire warnings of doom… an Armageddon of a storm was heading our way! And, in Pittsburgh this strikes fear into brave men. Really. The stuff of Crazy if you ask this Michigan girl – I mean I know what snow is.
BUT THE HILLS, Kat!!! Yes, yes – I understand… (okay, maybe not so much!)
Anyways, we woke today to discover that the pending doom was not so pending or doom-ish.
However, I am aware that not all places were so lucky – and if that includes you, Gentle Reader – I am deeply sorry and I hope you are safe, warm, and with functioning electricity! (And, that you have a good stockpile of knitting and books!!!)
It began snowing lightly here at about 10:30 and I am sure that I will hear how treacherous even that tiniest bit is from someone…
I have some fun things to share with you today:
Christian, Heidi, and Genevieve!
- My darlingest daughter #2 is having a little Book Party and I can tell you that these books are a HIT with Granddaughter #1. If you are looking for some books for your grandkids (or kids!!) I would love it if you helped support her (and Genevieve would love it too!) If you are on Facebook and want to “attend her party” tomorrow night, let me know and I will invite you!
- I am now a LipSense™ distributor (thank you so much Carole!) and if you want information – please ask. I won’t be advertising here on the blog, but you are welcome to join my Facebook Group.
- I am in the process of writing an actual pattern, which I will be sharing soon. But, really – I am incredibly excited about this and knitting math might be the best kind of math ever!
- Today is Pi Day – and I am sadly not a Pie Maker, however – Carole and Bonny are! They popped in my head first thing this morning – and I wish I was their neighbor to get in on their pie action!
- Pi Day and Knitting is so incredible – especially with this crazy post by the brilliant Mary Scott Huff (you can read about the entire Permission Denied Sweater Journey here). The genius of knitters never ceases to amaze me…really.
- I had a lovely coffee hour yesterday (which you will hear and see more about later this week) and it really got me thinking… there should be a thing as a Blog Retreat, don’t you think? I welcome your thoughts and ideas – I would LOVE to make this happen.
- Knitter’s March Madness begins tomorrow – so you better get your research done TODAY!
That is enough for this Terrible Tuesday. And, really – please share your thoughts and ideas about a Blogger Retreat!
