Unraveled Wednesday, June 28

by Kat | Jun 28, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday

Well, there has been some unraveling here this week…

I picked up stitches and in my stitch picking up zeal, I picked up a few too many and when I checked my band, it was just a bit too ruffle-y. So, back to stitch pick up for me! There is no way in hell that this is a 4-day knit yet, ever the glutton for punishment, I am going to knit a second one as soon as this one is done. Hopefully, this will be done by Monday and I will begin next week!

Oh, and while I am unraveling, I think my bind off might be just a bit too tight (who knew “bind off with medium tension” would be so challenging!) but rather than fuss over it when I wear it, I will take it out and bind off again. This will be happening this morning, when all is quiet here and there are no interruptions!

Now, on to the reading (which is going much better than the knitting, really!!)

I have three books to share with you this week! I know! Crazy!

1. The Hanging: EXCELLENT!! I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads! From the opening chapter to the last, this book kept me engaged and the writing is excellent! From the unfolding of the crime to the work of Simonsens’ team in solving the crime, I felt like I was part of the team! The evidence is pieced together slowly and methodically and feels incredibly realistic! I won’t share more, to not spoil the book because I highly recommend this book!
2. The Other Einstein: I gave this book 4 stars, which is a very good review – I would have given it 5 stars, but I wished that the ending was better. However, reality for Mitza was the ending…it was so very heartbreaking and sad. I loved the look into what education might have been like for women in the early 1900’s in Europe. The book is well-written, engaging, and thought provoking. I strongly recommend reading it!
3. Lincoln in the Bardo: Oh.My.Gosh!! Wow!!! This is a 5-star book all the way!! This book was simply fantastic and it falls into the “must listen” category for me. The narration is simply amazing! Once I started listening, I could not stop! This book made me laugh out loud and at times, cry! Do not miss listening to this book! GO and get it! Really!!

I am currently listening to On the Road by Jack Kerouac and I am almost done reading The Zookeeper’s Wife. My bingo card is looking mighty fine so far this summer!!

What about you? What’s really excellent in your world right now?

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Unraveled Wednesday, June 14

by Kat | Jun 14, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday

What is better for the almost “ides” of June to talk about knitting and reading?

Up first, reading… I have lots of books to update you all with! I have completed three books since week:

1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book was recommended to me for my “about a homecoming” square on Summer Book Bingo. And, like Carole, I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I also felt like parts were very tedious. However, I loved the viewpoint on an immigrant view on “white America” – it was powerful and one I will think of for a very long time. Perhaps, I will listen to this book as Mary did, because I am sure my thinking on name pronunciation is way off! I gave this book 4 stars
2. The Likeness by Tana French. In the far-fetched category, this book takes top billing. I really wanted to like it, I promise. But, the entire story line is so implausible…I had narrowed down the killer to 2 people very quickly and my guess was proven correct (although, they never really have a “true confession”). The writing is good, but this book could have been so much better if any of the story line had any hint of being believable. In short, the entire story fell a bit flat for me and I am not sure I will continue with this series. I gave this book 2 stars.
3.  Marie Antoinette: The Journey. This book filled the “biography of a royal” Summer Book Bingo square. I knew absolutely nothing about dear Marie (outside of cake and the guillotine). This story is well narrated, and well written. It is interesting, endearing, and educational. I enjoyed being immersed in the French court pre-revolution, and the ending was as I expected – moving and sad. If you are looking for a wonderful “listen” I highly recommend this! I gave this book 4 stars.

I will start listening to The Hanging by Lotte and Soren Hammer today.

And, did you hear about the Big Library Read? No? I love the concept of this: “Big Library Read (BLR), facilitated by OverDrive, is a reading program through your library that connects millions of readers around the world with the same eBook at the same time without any wait lists or holds.” And, the first book is The Other Einstein. I have downloaded it and will be starting it shortly – reading time began on Monday the 12^th and you have until the 26^th to finish. There is discussion and a little podcast to hear from the author, Marie Benedict! Summer reading is simply the best!

Summer Knitting has been equally good, especially when there is no unraveling. I am cruising along on Stillwater. I love that the pattern within the pattern is not overly challenging and it makes for a very interesting knit. I have divided for the sleeves and the “removal” of those stitches should make the rows speed up a bit!

What about you? How is your summer going?

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Unraveled Wednesday, June 7

by Kat | Jun 7, 2017 | General, Unraveled Wednesday

Sometimes life gets in the way of knitting and that happened to me this week in the form of a delivery of 7 yards of mulch on Monday. So, for the past two days, Steve and I have been moving the mountain of mulch from the driveway to all the garden beds.

FYI: 7 yds of mulch is over 3′ tall and 10′ wide…

Let me tell you, that’s a lot of moving!

While this was not so great for knitting productivity, it is excellent for audiobook listening! I am now more than half way through Marie Antoinette: The Journey and I am quite enthralled with her. The narration is also excellent (FYI, it’s Donada Peters). I have been laughing and have generally fallen in love with Marie. I have not gotten to the “rough parts” yet, but I fear that I will shed a tear or two. If your Summer Book Bingo has the “biography of a royal” I highly recommend this audiobook!

Last night, I collapsed on the couch after a long hot shower and I pulled out a simple sock to knit. You know… something mindless to just knit on. Following a pattern did not sound appealing so I did not work on the cloche I am knitting with the Year of Techniques crew – but if you have not started this month’s pattern, you should. It is a Romy Hill pattern and it is beautiful. I am about half way through the first repeat section, so no quite half way. I also did not want to count rounds on my dear little trial mouse. I am on leg one. Which means I have a leg, 2 arms, and a tail to knit before completion. Oy. I think I better start on Genevieve’s mouse sooner than later.

Also… next week (the 15^th) begins Kirsten Kapur’s Summer MKAL – you will find the details here. The pattern is being offered at a reduced price before the MKAL begins, just saying. However, I did get those gold singles plied. I am quite happy with both yarns.

I am itching to cast on, so I am really happy that the mulch moving is in essence done (there is a wee bit of spreading to finish up)! What is your “Go To Mindless Knit”?

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