Hello, Unravelers!
Knitting marches on and I am to the amazing and incredible bind-off of KK’s MKAL. I love it, but it is the epitome of slow however, there is a lovely rhythm to it. I should have a photo to share of the finished and blocked shawl next week sometime. Yay!
Meanwhile at my sewing machine…
I have re-positioned darts for an improved fit for the Esme top/tunic. I believe I have now perfected the fit of the pattern and feel ready to forge ahead to fall with some more sewing. I also solved the conundrum of the cap sleeve fit with a bit of bias tape, and the fit and ease of the armscye are greatly improved! All these adjustments consumed my brain and significantly slowed my progress, but the results are so very good, it was worth it! The second Esme top with the bodice adjustments will have three-quarter sleeves and my stack of too-big clothes has almost all been re-purposed into better fitting clothing.
July reading was especially wonderful! I finished three books this week (and 14 books for the month!)
Ready Player One: 4-stars. I enjoyed this book and it held my attention, but it seemed a bit staged to me. If you are a gamer, however, I believe that you would absolutely love this book.
So Long, See You Tomorrow: 3-stars. This book was from Michael Ondaatje’s favorite reads list. It was thus far one of my least favorites… Honestly, I do not at all enjoy any story where “cheating spouses” are the theme. However, how he told the tale from a variety of perspectives was most interesting.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: 3-stars. I had much higher hopes for this book but, for me it fell flat. However, hearing Maya Angelou read it was a high point.
Current reads:
I will finish A Great Reckoning today, and this twelfth book of the series did not disappoint at all. Louise Penny has only improved this series with each successive novel. I highly recommend!
On my iPad I am reading The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley, I am not far into it, but so far…so good!
My listening queue has blown up a bit… I am buckled in and ready for all of it and have found audio books the perfect partner for sewing!
What are you making or reading today? If you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below!
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my reading has slowed down this week due to busy busy weekends. Yesterday I carved some time to read (and knit) and it felt like I was back into the groove.
Your reading keeps speeding forward!! I have read all the Louise Penny books and they are all just so great. I need to get out my Bingo sheet and see if anything I have read fits a box or two – lol. Anxious to see your finished shawl! My knitting has been slow (too tired at night for much). Updates on my blog.
I had the same thoughts as you about Caged Bird … and look forward to the reveal of your Esme tweaks (love the idea of bias tape for the cap sleeve!) – that’s such a great and versatile pattern… once it fits!
I’m hoping to get the Esme dress pattern traced today and I agree, audio books are a great companion to sewing and walking and gardening and housework!
I’m reading a book I won from a Goodreads giveaway, We Were the Lucky Ones. I’m only about 50 pages in, so I don’t have any strong opinions just yet — it seems like most of what I’ve read thus far is mainly set-up. But I did read a phenomenal book last week: Educated. I got a notice that my hold on it from the library had come through and I managed to get through it in two days. It was amazing!
It has literally been decades since I read “Caged BIrd…” I was astounded that you only gave it a 3! I must re-read it ’cause I’m super curious…I hung on her every word – or so I remember and read all the sequels…
How wonderful you can repurpose your clothes to fit the new you and be fashionable. Two for the win! Stitch on!
Cheers~
I admire your persistence with sewing and fitting. That is still on my summer “to do” list. You are always reading something interesting. Audio books are good company for canning and freezing summer produce too.
I think it’s great that you can listen and sew. I never had much luck with that, I’d get too distracted by the thoughts in my head and not pay attention to what I was listening to. Now that you’ve got that pattern adjusting you’ll be able to make it over and over again – that’s the best thing about sewing, I think!
I am listening to CUB Games. When they are off I am knitting to an audio book :Endurance. Honestly: I havent started it
I’m at the end of three different books so it feels like it’s been forever since I finished something.
I enjoyed Samuel Hawley. I didn’t realize it’s a modern take on Hercules until I finished it.
Summer is just not the best time for knitting (especially THIS summer)! But, my reading moves apace. I admire your pursuit of fit with your sewing. Having something you love to wear makes the time worth taking.
It’s wonderful to find a pattern you like AND that fits you well! (Sewing is more of a crap shoot, fit-wise, than knitting I think.) Enjoy your making . . . all of it! 🙂
When I first read Ready Player One, I thought it was a 3-star book. Ryan is a gamer, and kept telling me I had missed something and I really should re-read it “with gaming in mind” (ha!) I’m not sure exactly what he meant, but after re-reading I could see that it was a fun book worth four-stars.