Into every knitter’s life some unraveling eventually happens. This week is my turn and yes, by the end of day – my Tegna will be all unraveled. Sigh.
I love this yarn… very much. And, I love the idea of Tegna, but the more I knit, the more uncertainty crept in about how this will fit. For the past 2 weeks, Tegna has been in a bit of a time out while I wrapped my brain around fit and eventually about ripping out so many weeks of knitting.
Yes, there is no avoiding the pain, but the pain would be far worse if I finished the sweater and never wear it. So, back to the drawing board with this lovely yarn, and truly – that is okay.
Not to be entirely sidelined on knitting – I am diligently working on seaming squares together on blanket number two. Plus, I am going to have some fun by participating in NaKniSweMo – I have swatched, conferred with Mary, and will be casting Blaer tomorrow morning. And, after participating in the Knit-a-Sweater-in-4-days – 30 days seems like a cakewalk! This is coming at the perfect time as well – I have wished for a grey cardigan about a dozen times in the last two weeks!
The reading this month has picked up ever so slightly! Which is a very good thing, I have been feeling in a bit of a reading slump! I finished The Overstory – and wow, just wow. I re-read the last 50 pages again yesterday morning – this was a book I did not want to end. Really. I cannot stop thinking about how brilliantly this was written and how beautifully Richard Powers weaves all the stories together into one cohesive and powerful novel. I will never, ever look at trees the same way again. If you have not read this, stop everything and go put your name on the waitlist at your local library. Yes, it is that good. I gave it 5-stars and it will absolutely be in my top-5 favorite books of the year.
I also finished American Gospel, which I listened to. This might have been the perfect time to listen to this fascinating history (and much of it unknown to me). Midway through, I was struggling with it a bit, but it ended incredibly and gets 4-stars from me. I highly recommend it!
I should be done with There, There later today – I am enjoying this book, but it is not riveting like The Overstory, or The Master Butcher’s Singing Club.
I will end up only having read nine books in October… but I fully expect to turn that around in November!
But, what about you? What are you making? Ripping out? Reading?
Please, do tell! And, as always, if you wrote a post to share today, please leave your link below!
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Oh, no! That’s a whole lotta sweater you’re ripping out there! But. If it ain’t working, it ain’t working. I SO need a grey cardigan. I wish for one nearly every day as I get dressed. Even have yarn and pattern all picked out and ready to go. But. It’s going to have to wait until later, as I’ve fully committed to a bit of Christmas knitting.
(It took me forever to read The Overstory, somehow. And I loved it, too!)
XO
I am working very hard to not sign on for any November challenges but to make it a month to fish som stuff. But that sweater is so lovely. I will be your cheerleader
It almost takes bravery to unravel. It takes time to realize that you might never wear that knitted item. So over the last month I have realized a lot about my stash, and really focused on the ‘truth’ of what I would really wear. Like reading books, life is too short/busy/enjoyable to read a bad book or knit an unwanted item, so I’m in the process of unraveling two things already this morning!
That said, I have always wanted to knit a “Blaer”.
I loved “Overstory” too.
I did not love Overstory (except for the beginning) but I do love your review! You’ve actually made me think about a possible re-read …
With such beautiful yarn and a lovely pattern, it’s sad to see Tegna unraveled, but that yarn will be something wonderful in its next incarnation.
Oh boy. It hurts to rip out so much knitting, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do! I’ve done that to a sweater that was seamed up and awaiting only buttons!!
I’m slowly making some little mitts for the kids, but had to unravel a bit of one last night to fix and mistake and get back on track! Reading has been slower than ever, for some reason.
You’re so smart to throw in the towel and repurpose the yarn. I’ve done just that many time and NEVER been sorry. What comes next will be just the thing. I’m still working on my Sunday Morning but I’ve been side tracked by chickens and hats. 🙂
Blaer is lovely and will be perfect in grey! Sorry about your unraveling…but at least you realized you should. My hold number on Overdrive for Overstory is slowly decreasing. I cannot wait to read it – especially after your review!
As much as it hurts to rip out a project, doesn’t it always feel better to reclaim beautiful yarn for use in something you will actually wear?
Thank you for reminding me about NaKniSweMo. That seems like perfect motivation for knitting the Mister his Mister Rogers sweater! I’ll swatch tonight.
I’m officially on the waiting list for The Overstory now!
Ah…you’ve made the right decision I’m sure. It will certainly be another beautiful piece. And regarding the reading…don’t beat yourself up…it’s 9! 🙂
Bummer about the sweater but it’s better to do it now, like you said. When that little voice in our head starts telling us the knitting isn’t working out we need to listen! I’m excited to read Overstory. I really loved There There and I bet by the time you’re done you will, too.
I need to read American Gospel.
It hurts to unravel a project, doesn’t it? I just did the same to a sock start but wasn’t nearly as far as you were on your sweater. Thanks for the book suggestions; both sound interesting.
I’m adding Overstory to my list…one day, I’ll get around to it ad the dozen others…and Hooray for you! I know it’s not easy to quit but you have done so with grace and good thinking! Better than to have the knitting lying there, pricking your conscience all.the.time!
Cheers~
Sometimes a project just isn’t meant to be finished. Ripping out a sweater is not for the faint of heart but now you have that beautiful yarn to knit into a project better suited for it and for you. I have The Overstory on my to-read list. Interesting to read everyone’s responses.
Yay you for making the decision about Tegna now … that yarn should be knit into something you’ll love and wear. Definitely putting The Overstory on my list. I only finished six books last month but they were all excellent … high hopes for November, too!
oh no! the yarn is gorgeous!! however once the doubt starts it’s hard to stop that feeling.
Working my way through Glass Houses so I’m ready for the next book and I’m finishing things-April Shower is ready to block, and I’m making my way through a pair of socks for my Mom for Christmas. So far no unraveling but it’s a real downer when pattern and yarn don’t sync up!