The fingers of the knitting women were vicious… Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
The finishing streak moves forward with my second Screen Door and I love it! I went up a needle size and only knit 22 pattern repeats, but it is the perfect size I think! Details are here, if you are interested.
I cast on one more wrap – this one with a skein of The Fibre Co Meadow. I have the pattern memorized and now am working to getting 105 stitches on the needles and I am just over halfway there. I think this will be a perfect transition piece in weight and color!
As for that sweater I started…. Oy. Well, suffice it to say there was some unraveling done this week. My row gauge was off a bit and I had hoped that my “fix” for that would work, but it did not. So, I am pondering just what I want to do and honestly – I am leaning towards NOT continuing. Curiously, I am not the only person who is having this problem as a number of fellow “Foxtrotter’s” are having the same issue. All of us with the problem are knitting size 38 and up… so I think it has to do with the increase rate, it does not seem to work at all for the depth of the armscye needed…so, there you have it. I think I just talked myself out of knitting the sweater! I could go back and do some more math to figure out ghost rows to make the arm shaping work…but I am not sure it is worth the effort. However, I am not missing the sweater knitting too much because yesterday I prepped the Uniform Tunic pattern to do a long sleeve dress. I finally sat down and figured out the bust adjustment I needed for it! One black long sleeved linen dress coming up! I hope to get the pieces cut out this morning and sewing will soon follow!
Last week, there were no reading finishes as I was immersed deeply in Middlemarch! Not so this week though – the reading has been marvelous! I finished Middlemarch, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and A Tale of Two Cities and they all made for some AMAZING reading!
Can I just say that I want to live in Middlemarch, please!? I absolutely loved Dorothea and it would be amazing to be her neighbor. Eliot’s writing is brilliant and I can understand why people re-read this book! It is simply the most amazing place! I have updated my review to reflect the audio version I listened to – the narrator, Wanda McCaddon, was wonderful! 5-stars and I highly recommend!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was a quick listen, but so brilliant! This is the story of a young man with autism – and he is so lovable! The entire book is the immersion into life as he sees it – from the Prime Numbered chapters to how Christopher views the world. The only problem I had with the book was with his solo trek into London – it did not seem believable to me. However, it is still an utterly enjoyable book and I gave it 4-stars!
Finally, A Tale of Two Cities – wow! Of course, this book is well written, but the crafting of the writing is so incredible. And, those vicious knitters…5-stars.
And with those finishes I have reached the time of my summer reading when I can see the completion of my bingo card. I have only 6 books to go and I will have my cover all. I started Between the World and Me yesterday and should finish it today. I have Song of Solomon and Hunger waiting in my queue. Purple Hibiscus is waiting for me to start and I will as soon as I have finished Zitkala-Sa’s American Indian Stories…That means, I can soon settle in with War and Peace sans feeling the need to rush through it and that is a very good thing!
Mary asked me some weeks ago if I would be working on another card – I don’t think so this summer. I have a great many books that I want to read and I don’t want to think about how to fit them into a new card.
That is all I have for this week’s unraveling… what about you? Are you unraveling this week?
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And, Thank you!!
That is another lovely Screen Door, and I can just imagine how nice it feels in Sea Silk! And, yes, I also read your description of sweater problems as evidence against continuing. Life is too short to knit sweaters with issues!
You’ve got me really looking forward to Middlemarch. If only the grass, garden, and weeds would stop growing (or at least slow down) I would have time to finish The Long Call and get started!
we saw curious incident in NYC on Broadway. IT WAS BRILLIANT. Of course I read the book before hand so I knew what was going to happen but my husband went in blind to the plot and totally loved how it was brought to the stage.
I think I need to check out Middlemarch (I’ve never read it which kind of surprises me). Your Screen Door is gorgeous and your new wrap looks so pretty too. Pity about Foxtrot, but who needs knitting issues? We’re vicious enough without having issues to contend with – lol.
That shawl is just lovely and I love your dress form. And now I need to see if I can get the audio on Middlemarch from my library
Song of Solomon is my favorite Toni Morrison book. (I love TONI!) The story is full of symbolism and folk tales of slavery. Morrison wants you to pay close attention when you read. You have quite the lineup for your Bingo card finish!
That is one stunning FO!
I have to say that I have never had an interest in reading Middlemarch, mainly because I had a roommate in college who had to read it for a class and constantly complained about what a slog it was. I guess I had it in my head that it was long and boring. But your ringing endorsement makes me think I should give it a try!
Love that new shawl – the color is so rich and it will go with a lot! And hooray for loving Middlemarch and making such great progress on your Bingo card.
Ok, I am adding Middlemarch to my summer reading list. If I read it, it was in college and I don’t remember it. I would move on to another sweater. There are so many patterns to try. The wrap is lovely. Best of luck with the sewing.
Wow–that shawl is beautiful! And I *think* I read Middlemarch but I don’t remember it so maybe it was required reading for a college class that I didn’t quite finish… Anyhow, I’m going to get the audio.
Beautiful scarf/shawl! 🙂 As for the sweater? There are so many beautiful things to make, why waste your effort on something that isn’t quite working? I have a feeling you would have NO trouble at all finding an alternate project. 😉
(I knew you’d enjoy Tale of Two Cities!)
I often talk myself into – or out of – something while I’m typing a blog post. Isn’t it wonderful to have such a welcoming forum (and format) to help think through things! (and this curious mind wants to know what you might be thinking about for that lovely yarn instead … because it was a beautiful swatch!) … and can I just say WOW! on your reading. I love how you’ve tried some new things, some HARD things, and found so many amazing books. I still haven’t made one BINGO!
PS – gah – I can’t believe I typed all that and forgot this!!! your finished shawl is beautiful! I think the gentle wet blocking was the perfect finish 🙂
How can I friend you on Goodreads? I am Kathryn; maybe you can friend me.
Your new shawl is gorgeous. As I was looking for yarn for mine, I was keeping that pattern in mind for future knitting.