Greetings, Unravelers!
The making this week has had some highs and some not so highs.
First, remember this sock? Once I got the heel flap done and started down the foot and that little voice in my head kept saying, “holy cow this sock is BIG” after I got through the decreases I finally listened to that voice. End result – I frogged the sock and began again with the smallest size and hopes that this will actually fit. Oh boy.
I completed Chart One of my Pheasant Pullover and I think I need a longer length circular needle before I begin Chart Two. So, it’s in a bit of a holding pattern until I can get that longer length.
It looks spot on from this angle, but trust me when I tell you that the match up is just a bit off from front to back.
But that’s okay because I have spent my time wisely with an Esme Tunic. Matching plaids is not for the faint of heart and while this attempt was better than my first try, there is still room for improvement. The darts are hanging me up and I am not certain how to correct it. I have done something different with the pockets in this tunic with this inseam template from 100 Acts of Sewing! I hoped to have this done, but that was not happening, but at least I have a start on a new tunic! Today my challenge will be setting in the sleeves and hoping my plaids are spot on! Wish me luck! Haha
The reading also had some highs and less than high books this week as well:
I finished Fates and Furries, but it was an effort.
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Could there be a book with two more horrid characters? I did not like Lotto or Mathilde. There was nothing redeeming about either of them. I do not recommend this book at all.
I finished Malice in Malmö, Inspector Anita Sundstrom #6 and I liked it – a lot!
Malice in Malmö by Torquil MacLeod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A mystery within a mystery. While I wondered from the beginning if they were connected – MacLeod keeps dangling hints before me. Anita’s growth in this novel is wonderful! I highly recommend this series.
I also finished Salt to the Sea and I really loved it!
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Four people, four very different stories, all running concurrently. This book will stay with me for a very long time. There are horrific moments that almost crush you. There are tender moments that make you believe there is goodness. And those tender moments are so moving. I cried and the ending was so unexpected. I highly recommend this book!
Finally, if you enjoyed Just Mercy, the first book that Read With Me Book Club selected, you might be interested in the interview Terry Gross did with Bryan Stevenson earlier this week!
That is all I have today and I hope your making and reading had more highs than lows! If you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below and thank you!
Yay for the plaids! But I’m sorry about that sock ????
So glad to hear that you enjoyed Salt to the Sea – so heartbreaking! I haven’t read Fates and Furies but was interested because President Obama picked it as one of his favorites one year… I think I’ll push it a little further down my TBR now, though.
I love the colors in that plaid and hope you can get it matched to your satisfaction. Thanks for the Bryan Stevenson interview. I’m usually in the kitchen listening when Fresh Air is on, but I missed this one.
Matching plaids is really tricky — but so worth the time and effort to get it right. (I know many sewists who avoid plaids entirely because they just get too frustrated with the matching part.) My 4-H sewing background makes me rather obsessive about matching plaids. I wish we lived closer and I could share some tips with you. (I sewed 4 pairs of flannel PJ pants for my kids for Christmas – all but one in plaid – and it took me longer to plan for the matching – and then make sure it happened – than it did to sew the pants!!!!) Hang in there, Kat! If you can knit colorwork, you can match plaids! XOXO
Ooh, I love that plaid! And thanks for the link to that pocket tutorial!!
That is one gorgeous plaid! Good luck with your matching today!
so sorry you had to undo that sock but isn’t it funny we ignore those niggling thoughts that obviously know what we should do?? gah!!
Oh I know that little voice in my head that says this isn’t working but still I persevere. Why do we do that? Best of luck with those plaids. I imagine they are tricky. A flannel tunic would be so nice these on these winter days. I hope the sock behaves and may your longer needle arrive soon. The length of circular needles is another black hole of knitting – often every length but what I need. Thanks for hosting today’s link up.
oh I LOVE that plaid … I’m sure you’re going to get those plaids matching! (fwiw, I don’t know HOW plaid matches on sleeves?) Thank you for the heads up on Terry Gross’ interview – Sara also sent me a link to a This American Life episode featuring Bryan Stevenson. I hate that it takes a movie to get folks to pay attention … at least they’re paying attention!
Thank you for the book recommendations! 🙂 Good luck with the sock.
Sure wish I could help you get that plaid matched…it’s been decades since I’ve sewn and I’m pretty rusty…I’ll ask my sister how her memory works…thanks for the link to This American Life. I’d like to think people will heed the messages but I’ve little hope…
Carry on!
The plaids look pretty good to me, but I may have a less-discerning eye than you. I’ll tell you that for sure you’ve done a better job than I could!
Have you read Groff’s Arcadia? It was an interesting read.
I wish I could send my friend Lois to your house to help you match the plaids, she’s a genius and always did it for me when I was sewing a lot. I thought Fates and Furies was great and loved that twist in the middle that I never saw coming. I hope the new sock size works out.
Wow, that plaid is stunning! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I too have sewn with plaids and you are correct, it’s not for the faint of heart. However, I must admit that I am far harder on myself when sewing than I know I need to be. Many of my ‘mistakes’ or ‘imperfections’ only I will ever know and doesn’t distract from the finished product.
That plaid is pretty fabulous. I have cried uncle and accepted that I just don’t make sewing a priority , not in a way so I can sew properly- so I’m not going to even give it lip service or try to rush and make myself crazy doing things poorly this year. I LOVE watching my maker friends sewing online though-it’s the next best thing.
I’ve experienced the same sock dilemma, and then sometimes they seem to small to go over my foot! The Esme Tunic is on my list for garment sewing this spring. I have 2 trips planned this summer and it would be the perfect thing to have. Love the purple plaid- look forward to updates.