Greetings, Unravelers!
I scratched the cast-on itch yesterday when I started Tegna. I am not quite out of the danger zone yet though! I don’t think I twisted my cast on, but I am not certain yet… And, honestly?? I might cry if I did, because you cast on 10 million stitches to start. Okay, maybe not 10 million, but if I twisted the cast on, it might as well be that many! Ha! This is the perfect fall color and I do not have one thing in my wardrobe in this color so hopefully this knit goes quickly!
Steeked, blocking, and awaiting zipper installation!
I also steeked my Rock the Lobster! Zipper installation and weaving in ends stand between me and a finished sweater. One of these things is definitely easier than the other, but my plan is to use this zipper installation method (Thanks, Vicki!) But really – I am quite ashamed of myself for letting this sweater languish for almost 2 years unfinished! This sweater will be a great addition to my fall and winter wardrobe and I have another reason to anticipate cooler weather – or at least cooler nights!
Now, on to some amazing reads this week!
In the finish column:
Kitchen Confidential was spectacular. I loved it for its grittiness. Bourdain speaks from his heart and holds nothing back. It is frank, honest, and yes… uncensored. 5-stars… I highly recommend!
The Alchemist…this is one of PBS 100 Great American Books. I loved this story and it has given me much to think about. 5-stars and if you have not read it, do… it is short, sweet, and profound!
Homegoing… I don’t remember who or what directed me to his magnificent novel, but I am so glad I read it! This multi-generational story is absolutely excellent. I love how Gyasi tied all the strings together in the last chapters. I was sad for it to end,which is always a good indicator of the excellence of a novel! 5-stars and I highly recommend!
Artful… sometimes an author you love misses in a work and this novel did that for me. I love Ali Smith’s works, but this one left me flat. It’s a compilation of several talks Ali Smith had done, and I have a feeling that the talks were much more fascinating in person because in print, they missed for me big time. 2-stars and I do not recommend.
Currently reading:
The House at the Edge of Night is on my iPad and I am about a quarter of the way through it. So far… so good. And, I should not have put it aside to read Artful.
In my ears is The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto… I am thoroughly enthralled with this lovely tale and I should be done with it today! And, with this finish I will have my first bingo on my second card!
What about you? What are you making and reading today? If you wrote a post, please leave your link below!
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The no sew zipper is amazing! I’ve only put in one zipper on a cardigan by hand sewing it on. Truthfully I rarely wear this sweater as it’s a bit too short so I don’t know how my sewing will hold up. I’m so anxious to see how this method works! Your sweater is gorgeous!
I understand your worries about twisting! When I was making the Main Street pattern, it too started with many many stitches cast on and then the lace pattern. I got about 6 rows in, and realized it was all twisted – GAH! But I was determined to make the top, so I ripped out and started over with my stitch markers and checking every few stitches once I started knitting. Fortunately the next time all was well, so I hope that is the case for you as well. I love the color you chose! And I can’t wait to see your steeked sweater …
Wow! That looks like an amazing way to add a zipper to a sweater. Anxious to see your steek AND the zipper. And once again, you are just speeding along with your reading. Thanks for the recommendations. Wishing you non-twisted stitches in your beautiful new start. New post on my blog.
Twisting is my biggest fea with a bottom up sweater! So happy to see all the good reviews for Homegoing. A great book.
I stepped back to reread The English Patient (last read in 1994) as I’m waiting for two books to be published and I’m not sure what to read to fill the time until then. SO many choices! I twist a long cast on at least once. It’s a must! I know no other way! LOL
Thanks for these great book recommendations! I have been devouring e-books lately. I have most recently finished Sing, Unburied, Sing and Hillbilly Elegy. Now I am in the middle of The Orphan’s Tale. I am regretting all the years I was missing out on all the e-books I can get through the library!
I will cross my fingers that your Tegna isn’t twisted.
Ooh, best wishes for a non-twisting Tegna!! I can’t wait for you to do that zipper, and hope you can document (I know that’s not easy)! I also loved Kitchen Confidential — one of my faves. Will be checking out some of the other books on your list, Kat. Thanks!!
I confess I casted on something new as well. I promise you, you did not twist the join. It’s when we don’t triple check that we do!! Lovely rosy color and happy knitting on this fine Wednesday!
I too am reading HomeGoing (recommended by Mary)…it is well, well done but requires keeping the characters straight…my knitting is on pause, along with a few other projects. I’m reorienting my days…I hope!
Hope your cast on of the new sweater is OK; a luscious Fall color.
Cheers~
The color of that Tegna sweater is so pretty. You are right – just right for Fall. And Fall is in the air – if even so lightly. Casting on a large number of stitches in the round is a challenge. Hope it goes well. Read on – you make such good progress with reading and knitting.
That’s a great color and my fingers are crossed that your cast on is not twisted! Good luck with the zipper, too. And Homegoing – SO SO good!
Glad you lived through the steeking. I was worried for you. LOL
Now you just have to make it through the Tegna cast on without making a mobius. Sending wishes for good, straight stitches!!!
Congratulations on the steeking success and good luck with the zipper installation!
The new project is a lovely hue!
oooh, I LOVE the yarn for Tegna. and fingers crossed for a non-twisted join! I hope you take some progress shots of the zipper install. What a great idea to knit it in! (where did you find the zipper?)
That yarn is just lovely, Kat. I love the color — and it will make a beautiful Tegna. And if you DID twist your join (and the real danger is in the 2nd and 3rd round — because with that many stitches twirling around on your needle you’re not out of the woods right away) (ask me how I know), there is a “fix” — but only if you catch it early enough. (As you know, I twisted my first Tegna cast on, but didn’t figure it out until I was too far along to “fix.” What you don’t know is that DESPITE ALL MY CAUTION, I also twisted my second Tegna cast on, too. In the 2nd round. But I caught it early enough to fudge the fix.)