This week there was a good bit of unraveling. Sigh. Yep, I almost gave up on Romi’s Mystery Shawl (the top green “blob” above). Clue two is a real challenge! (Or perhaps the challenge was that Pear Martini + intricate lace knitting = a colossally bad idea) However, I stayed the course, ripped back, picked up the correct number of stitches (which was a miracle in itself!) and tried again. I have completed the first repeat of chart one, and will continue working through the chart later today.
I have finished clue one of Larissa Brown’s Lunar Mystery knit (The stripey half-circle above) and I am in love! It was a joy to knit and she teased us with some hints for this week’s clue and I.can’t.wait!
I also finished a pair of socks (who on earth am I???) Yep, Coopknits Mystery Socks are done and I love them. The fit is great and there was just enough patterning to be more than just plain socks!
If you have been following my 100 Day Project on IG, you might be thinking, well that’s all kinds of boring. But I am happy to say that what is in my head is flowing nicely into my stitches. I have two corners almost completed and will begin on the other side shortly. Working from the “outside” of my linen to the inside seemed to make the most sense. So look for some more interesting bits coming up!
I am back to slow and steady with my reading, so only one (brilliant) finish this week. And while this might not be a book for everyone, it certainly made me stop and think.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
They say nothing lasts forever but they’re just scared it will last longer than they can love it.
Haunting, poignant writing. I listened to the author read his story, and I think that helped me stay engaged with this, at times, very painful story. If you have read Vuong’s poetry, his writing will be very familiar. This felt more like poetry than it did a novel, and that is not a negative statement… the writing was just so beautiful.
I have to say, I love that Goodreads has been providing lots of reading inspiration! This curated list has oodles and oodles of things on it! And it is incredibly handy for SAH Book Bingo! As you can see, I am making some progress on my card. I managed to fill in a number of books from last week on this card! And I am doing it a bit differently this year. I have printed off my bingo card, and am using it in conjunction with my Travelers Notebook™ and if when I move on to another card (cards) I can just turn the page and keep going!
That’s all I have for this week, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below! Thank you!
I LOVE the Lunar Mystery shawl! Your colors are gorgeous. And I’m so impressed that you were able to pick up the correct number of stitches in your lace. I’m always way too frightened to try that!
Thanks for the peek into your Traveler’s Notebook! That Bingo card looks like a lot of fun! I’ve also slowed down on your reading but it looks like you had a GREAT finish to share this week.
Here’s to another week!
I’m impressed with how many books you’ve already checked off on your Bingo Card! Not bad for 2 weeks in. And that Lunar Shawl is gorgeous Kat – love your colors for it. The green for your lace shawl is really pretty too. Here’s to that flowing a bit more smoothly!
I’m glad you haven’t given up on your Romi Mystery Shawl (says the person who put Nightshift in time out to work on Hitchhikers)! It is lovely, and the same for your Lunar Mystery. I don’t find your 100 Day Project boring at all. I look forward to seeing your photos on IG as they evoke wonderful feelings of peacefulness and calm. I hope the stitching is doing the same thing for you, Kat.
Romi’s mystery shawls are usually quite tricky — but so gorgeous! I’m glad you’re sticking with it. I think yours will be beautiful. I printed out my bingo card, but I’m not doing any planning. If I read something that fits . . . great. And if I don’t? No problem. 😉
I love the color combo on the lunar shawl too! I’ve got one squared filled on my card. Wondering if I should shoot for a cover-all…that would be big doin’s for me!
Wow, your knitting is so tiny! and you are so productive! Good for you. I am disappointed that I have finished all of the library books I had checked out and now must read from the iPad. Better than nothing but I really miss reading an actual book. Oh well, I am lucky to have the technology here to use so I will stop moaning!
Thanks for your wonderful posts.
It’s always fun to knit than to unknit. My knitting is mildly entertaining. I’m working on a pair of socks and a shawl.
Your reads are inspiring me! And your Pear Plus Lace made me laugh WITH you 🙂 I have yet to set up my BINGO card (which was how I found Mary in the first place, last year!). I have been bringing up the rear with my reading lately–unless I can count elementary school texts! I just might not get set up til Memorial Day, afer all… (But I sure can collect great titles in the meantime.)
Bummer about the lace knitting but I’m sure you’ll get back on track. Maybe drink coffee or tea this time? LOL Nice Bingo card set up, that’s pretty similar to how I approach and it works well for me.
I remembered that one reason I haven’t done a Romi MKAL in a while is because there’s still one sitting in time out! And I think you know that I had a challenge with Clue 2 this time, too, and also ripped back… which is where it sits. Maybe tonight!
Kat, I admire your willingness to do mystery knits. I am always to scared to try one, what if I hate once done? In all my years of knitting and quilting, I have done one mystery quilt. I gave it away,(and not to a family member, something I never do), it was OK , but I wasn’t over the moon with it. That is my total experience with mystery crafting.
I LOVE your book bingo tracking!! gonna copy – thank you! and kudos on the knitting progress … these days I feel like just doing the thing helps. and you are clearly doing LOTS of the thing 🙂
Both pieces of knitting are lovely…look forward to the finish and and seeing on you! Per Mary, like the way you are tracking your reads…what do the colors: green and purple in TN stand for? I’m definitely reading On Earth… even if it doesn’t fit my card!
read and knit on!
Cheers~
Your shawls are lovely. You do such a great job putting colors together. And look at that Book Bingo card. I loved the Ten Thousand Doors of January, the art of moving through magical doors seems desirable about now. Once upon a time I read Smilla’s Sense of Snow. I recall enjoying our book group discussion and the book but not many details.
Having knit some of Romi’s patterns in the past, I’d say knitting sober is probably a good idea!
Thank you for the book recommendation. It’s been on my radar for a while, but I just placed a hold for the audiobook from the library.
I couldn’t understand Clue 2 and the transition to lace, but realized that I had missed rows 5 and 6. From reading the forum, and talking to a friend, I found out that I was not the only one!