Dear Unravelers,
Do you ever feel like you are in a “making” rut? I am in a huge making rut and it really sucks! I have things to knit that I want to finish, but boy… there is just no joy in the making right now. (FYI, the following links are to projects on Ravelry) I should be knitting sleeves… but they are languishing in a basket next to the living room sofa. Or perhaps I should be knitting the body of this, but that is languishing in a knitting bag next to my bed.
Instead, I am knitting a heel (on a pair of socks that are screaming AUTUMN to me!) and pondering why I am so disinterested in things that should be bringing me joy. In an attempt to really break things up, I am going to pull out the sewing machine this week to see if that gets me back on the path of happy making! Thanks to Carolyn, a new-to-me Lotta Jansdotter book arrived at my house this week and I think a bag test run is the perfect thing before attempting this beauty from the latest Making! (Because, I am just enamored with this bag!)
On Monday, several people asked about the Acorn Pattern… you will find Hunter Hammersen’s Hoard here on Ravelry.
I did manage to finish two books this week! (and I have started Summer and so far, so very good!)
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Armand and friends in Paris, what’s not to love? An interesting city, a curious mystery, and familiar characters make for a can’t-put-it-down novel. I love how Penny keeps revealing more and more depth to her characters, and in doing so – makes them more lovable! I highly recommend!
The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
At first I struggled to find a rhythm with this book, and perhaps reading just a page or two at night made that even more difficult. And once I found myself immersed in the stories of the women of Brewster Place, the ending left me struggling to find closure and I went back and re-read it several times to see if I was missing something. I don’t think I missed anything, and this book just did not seem to work for me.
And that is all I have for today. If you wrote a post to share (and I sincerely hope you did!!) please leave your link below!
I’m so glad that you loved the newest Armand Gamache — PARIS! I love how reliable the series is as a whole. And I love the hope I get from them all. I thought Penny’s description and explanation of the rift between Gamache and his son was so beautifully done. I can’t wait until the next one.
And I do know what you mean about being in a making rut. I think your strategy of trying a different type of making is a good one – I hope it helps! I’m intrigued by that Lotta book – thank you for sharing it!
Ah, I was wondering where your Pheasant sweater was or what stage it is in. Sometimes you just need to shake things up and do something different to get re-engaged. I should get back to my Granny Squares which have been languishing for a few months now. I liked the latest Gamache story so much more than the one just before. Glad you enjoyed as well!
I often get the no ambition to work on projects that I actually love and want completed. My husband says; “why worry about it, you always complete your projects, sometimes years later, but they get done”. It’s why I keep him, he doesn’t mind a lot of unfinished projects hanging around.
I am thankfully not in a making rut. However I am in obligation knitting and have wistfully wished to be knitting for me. Someday soon right?
It’s probably time for you to shake things up in a big way, Kat, so it sounds like you’re on the right path. (And that is a GREAT bag. I’ve been dreaming about that one, too.) One of the best things about book groups is discussing books with others. Maybe you’ll gain some new perspective on the book – and the ending – after we discuss it together next month.
I am watching myself fall into the disinterest well – I know I’m going there when I start looking for anything else to knit or sew. But a new tote has been on my list so that might be a fun diversion. The yellow cover of that magazine has me wanting to buy it right now!
I suspect that we are all experiencing some degree of low-level depression, one symptom of which is a lack of enjoyment in things we previously found pleasurable (the technical term for this is anhedonia). I’ve noticed it recently myself — I get excited about something and start it, only to suddenly lose interest in it a bit later. I think it’s just the nature of the beast and not a personal failing, and I know that I’ll get back to the excitement of those projects at some point.
I bet that changing things up with some sewing will renew some interest in your knitting projects. (And the times we are living in might also be responsible for some of that feeling.) Knit those lovely fall socks, sew some bags, and have fun!
how funny….i just wrote on my blog about turning to socks when everything else feels ‘blah’….i guess that’s just what we do!!! Thanks for alerting me to the new Lotta book…I’m off to order it immediately….and hope that turns into something positive for both of us in the ‘making’ department. Of course, this will probably mean I’ll have to order more of her fabric, too!!! Ahhh, the wheels keep spinning out of control!!!
I am not in a making rut right now but I know what you mean. I often feel like that when I have just finished a project that I really enjoyed but have not given any thought to what I am going to do next whilst its coming to an end.
I hope you find your way out of your rut soon……
Those socks are stunning! Here’s to finding your mojo Kat. I should finish TWoBP today.
I’ve been feeling the urge to knit socks and I haven’t wanted to for a while so maybe there’s something in the air – besides COVID! hahaha! And yet another one of our book choices fell flat for you. I’m starting to get a complex! I’m glad you read it, though, sometimes it’s even more fun to discuss books we don’t like than books we do like.
I’m so glad your Lotta book arrived! Can’t wait to hear if she helps you get your Making Mojo back. I think I’d put my money on Yes 🙂 Funny enough, I started Brewster Place the same way you did–at night, and so could only get in a few pages before sleep. I did much better when I switched to daytime reading. Unfortunately, I finished it some weeks ago now–and my memory isn’t top notch. I’ll probably have to skim for detail before next month’s discussion. But your response piques my curiosity as to everyone’s experience!
Your new book has me drooling…tho’ I dare not – I’ve more than enough someday/wannabe/never-so-far projects awaiting me…think I’ll read the new Louise Penny novel even tho’ I’ve not read all the previous ones…at the rate I’m going, I’ll never catch up with her prolific-ness (a word?).
Cheers~
Oh, I loved the new Gamache! I cried at the end.
the tile of blogs participating in this link up is just a BIG SMILE in itself. maybe someday I’ll get back to posting on Wednesdays! in the meantime, I applaud your efforts to get into the new Making. my favorite pattern was the quilt! and I am still “looking forward” to the new Gamache 🙂
I love Louise Penny, I’ve read them all.
I feel in a bit of a rut with making too. I think it is this year in general we are all bound to feel like we are in a rut once and awhile. I love the yarn color for your socks they are great for the Fall. Great book finishes! have a great weekend 🙂
I do like the autumn sock yarn. I have been tempted to order some autumn/Halloween sock yarn but so far have resisted. That bag looks like great fun. A maker can never have too many bags.