Tegna has finally become a practically mindless knit! Yes, the lace work is done, and I have reached the stockinette portion. Woo! I have also started my second skein of yarn!
Although, it has not had much attention this week as I thought a new spring/summer sweater might be a lovely thing. In my stash reorganization from a few weeks ago, I found a large bag (17 skeins!) of some Jo Sharp long discontinued, cotton blend yarn and I have been thinking about what to do with it. I did some swatching over the weekend and found that the fabric I liked best from this yarn matched the gauge exactly of Deschain! Perhaps this is how I should swatch in the future – knit a fabric I like and then find a pattern to match my swatch!! Haha!
Anyways, it is a fluid, drapey fabric – and I have more than enough yarn to make it a bit longer and I think I am also going to do some short rows in the back as well. And, can I just say how quick this is knitting up? Honestly, I only knit it on Monday, give or take a couple of rows I squeezed in before bed last night and I am just 2 or 3 repeats from finishing the front! I have high expectations to have this sweater finished and soon!
The reading this week has been mostly very good and I finished four books!
The very good reads:
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s South: The Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition, 1914-1917. This was an amazing read – the bravery of the crew just astounded me as did their temerity at surviving in practically impossible odds. I listened to this book, and highly recommend it – 4-stars.
Maria Shriver’s I’ve Been Thinking… This book came at the perfect time for me. I recommend it as well! 4-stars.
Paul Auster’s Timbuktu – hands down, this was the best book I read this week. I laughed, I cried more than once, and my love of Paul Auster’s magnificent writing grew even deeper! If you love dogs, you must read this book. 5- stars.
And, finally – the book I really struggled with:
Louise Erdrich’s Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country: Traveling Through the Land of My Ancestors. This book was a struggle for me – I had a very hard time keeping track of all the details and it just felt very disjointed. I sadly am giving this just 2-stars.
That is all I have for this week, and as always:
Thank you for your participation!
Nice knitting, Kat. I’ve had that Deschain pattern in my thinking-about-knitting “pile” for a long time, so I’ll be interested in seeing what you think once you’re finished. It seems like a great summer layering piece. 🙂
Two great sweaters in the sun is a lovely sight! Deschain does have a great story and seems to almost be knitting itself. I hope you have a week of more great knitting and reading ahead!
Wow! You are like a knitting and reading machine! Deschain looks like a great piece (I had not seen that pattern previously) and I’m looking forward to seeing yours finished.
How wonderful that you found stash yarn that works perfectly for a lovely sweater! That rarely happens to me, but it’s such a great feeling when it does. I love how your Deshain is knitting up already.
I am in the midst of a stash reorganization. Hoping it will motivate my knitting energy.
That color is really beautiful, enjoy the mindless (or meditative) knitting.
We had a hint of spring the last two days, but this morning we have 3″ of new snow! March is fickle, but she sure is fun. The color of your knits is spectacular!
Great knits! Glad to hear that you enjoyed Shackleton’s story. It’s been on my To Read shelf for a while. After reading your review I may move it up in the queue.
Non-knitter me wants to know: Can you find patterns by gauge? If so, that’s really cool! Glad you found that stash and that you have a project there. Some weeks are good readin’ and and some weeks, just “ain’t happen’n.”
I would say you have quite a lot accomplished for one week! How nice to have enough yarn in your stash and that you actually found it. Four books in one week is impressive…I’m reading Fly Girls, our next book club read. It’s very interesting.
Cool, Kat! Two awesome sweaters OTN … and you’re gonna be ready for whatever the weather brings 🙂 Deschain isn’t one I had on my radar, but when I search “friends projects” I see about a dozen. All a little different, but all good and I can’t wait to see yours added to the mix. I laughed about Kym’s comment that this was a great summer layering piece. yeah. not for here. but September? or April? totally!! (what is your Jo Sharp yarn? I loved her yarn back in the day … but don’t recall anything cotton?!)
I’ve had no ability to do complicated knitting this year at all. I do miss it a bit and I’m sure the time will return but mindless knitting is a treat! And the reading…amazing as always!
Oh, that is the loveliest, cheeriest yarn!
I love to stash dive and reorganize 🙂 Your knitting is so pretty and you will look lovely in that red.