February Making was surprising… I finished 2 pairs of socks (First pair here)! What? I know, I shocked myself as well! February was the month of Sarah Jordan Sock Knitting and I have happy feet as a result! I also spy a few more socks on her page that I think need in my sock drawer!
I also have a very good start on my March socks for St. Paddy’s day!
I also finished my final flannel Esme Tunic and it has been getting lots of wear! I have plans to do some more sewing this month as well!
But, let’s talk a bit about I’ve Got Sunshine Socks! I thought the cabling on the leg would be fussy to do with small yarn and small needles, but it was just the opposite – it felt like it made the sock knitting go faster (think self striping yarn fast!!) I did two repeats of the pattern on each leg before I started the heel. And, this sock also has a different heel technique and it makes for a very nice fitting heel. I think I might just need a second pair of these socks in a bright sunny yellow! (Especially since I have the cabling pattern memorized!)
February was a very good month for reading! I read 12 books, but the incredible part was that of those books I deemed 4 of them to be 5-star, must reads!
Dream Work by Mary Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I love Orion, his fiery body, his ten stars, his flaring points of reference, his shining dogs.”
I stood in my backyard tonight looking at Orion and these words sang in my head. I read this book through twice. It has so much depth in such simplicity. I had originally given this book 4-stars, but I just could not stop thinking about these poems and they deserve a 5-star rating. I highly recommend this book!
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been on a bit of an Allende kick recently, and while I did not think this book was quite as good as A Long Petal, it is a beautiful story with incredible characters. This book had surprises, sorrows, and so much love…I highly recommend this book.
What about you? What was your favorite make or read last month?
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What a month! I love all of the sock pictures! And I am going to have to pick up Mary Oliver at the library – I’ve read nothing by her!
What a great knitting and reading month you had! Your socks are beautiful and inspiring. I’m a bit tired of the slog that is my current Hitchhiker so I think I need to take a page from your book and break out some ufo socks I just happen to have!
A little bit of knitting, little bit of reading here, and I cannot believe it is daylight savings this weekend!
I’m still plugging away on my sweaters and a pair of socks. Currently reading Stephen King’s The Outsider which is sooo good.
You had a great month of making! wow! I think Japanese Lover was my first Allende and I was so happy to finally discover her. I do think In the Midst of Winter is similar to that one in tone (set current day, great characters, slow plot, strong sense of place, not much (any?) magical realism). I’m looking forward to exploring the ones with magical realism next.
You’re really on a roll with the sock knitting! I really love your blue I’ve Got Sunshines.
I should read more Allende. I went through a period in high school, I think, where I read a bunch of her novels, but it’s been quite a while.
Great sock knitting all around! I’m very hit or miss with Allende, although The House of the Spirits will always be a favorite book of mine. 🙂
love your sock mojo you are in the midst of knitting. I love the green ones that scream spring! I’m working on a yoke sweater and two shawls, one that I talk about and one that I rarely talk about because nothing exciting to report on it.
Your socks look beautiful. Of course I favor the blue ones. We had a lively discussion about The Japanese Lover in our book group. I really enjoyed it and I haven’t loved all of Allende’s work. Erosion by TTWilliams was the highlight of my February for sure. That and finishing a shawl that was ripped out many times. Persistence paid off. Thanks for the link-up party.
You are on fire! I’ve got a Night Shift going and am reading The Silent Patient for book group…you said you figured it out early so I’m like…him…him…him???? 🙂
That’s a lot of sock knitting progress and I’m guessing that contributed to all the reading, too! I’m looking forward to the Allende book.
Your socks are really coming along fast!! Love them all. And WOW! 12 books in February is a lot. Glad so many were so good!
I just LOVE those Sunshine Socks!! That yarn is gorgeous and perfect with the pattern.