…I never just knit; I knit and think, knit and listen, knit and watch. — Stephanie Pearl-McFee
Greetings Unravelers! Welcome to the final Wednesday in January. Was it me, or did this month just fly by?
I managed to have a finish this month though! Autumn Forest is off the needles, but in need of a soak and a bit of blocking. I did not get that done this week because I have been preoccupied with doing a bit of decluttering. I hope to have this blocked and ready for its big reveal next week! I am wondering about this though… I used one entire hank of Titus to knit half of this scarf but not an entire hank for the second half. I did not weigh the hanks before I wound them, but scarf and remaining ball weigh 200g-ish, so I am not sure what happened.
However, the joy of my life right now is my Handspun Hitchhiker! Oh my goodness, I am so in love! I am surprised at how evenly I spun this yarn. Really, quite surprised…that is not usually the case. One single will inevitably be a bit heavier than the other single and it really shows up in plying. There are spots where it is not perfect, but for the most part it really is wonderful! I have just gotten to my first gradient change and, wow… it eases in to the icy blue so wonderfully! Anyways, this has been my evening knitting while watching TV companion, and it shows!
(My daytime knitting project is my Heart Warmer and you can tell that I haven’t been sitting and knitting much. Sorry for the poor photos, it was one extremely grey day here – this is actually a pale blue grey yarn, but getting an accurate photo yesterday was almost impossible!)
This week’s reading finishes were very mixed.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This story had so much promise, but just failed to deliver on almost every level. A cast of characters with no redeeming qualities whatsoever coupled with so-so writing and you have a snore of a novel. Yes there were some twists and turns, but they did not add anything to the story… in fact, sometimes they detracted. I had to force myself to finish this book. Sadly, I do not recommend.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Where to begin with this brilliant little story! If you could pick a different life, what would you choose? And if that didn’t work, would you choose another? And what happens to the life you did not pick? This is a story that made me think about choice we make in our every day life… choice and the consequences. The Midnight Library is between life and death… and there are always new books to check out! I could not stop listening to this story and highly recommend!
Finally, there was something I watched this week that was wonderful! The Wipers Times and it is available on Amazon Prime, Hoopla, and my library has a DVD available as well. This is a story that I knew nothing about and I am now wanting to get a copy of The Wipers Times book to read. If you like history – this is a story of a regiment during WWI, as told by Captain Fred Roberts. It is witty, brilliant, and must see!
And there you have my week of knitting, reading, and watching! As always, if you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below and thank you!
Congrats on a finish! And your handspun Hitchhiker is gorgeous – I can’t wait to see it grow!
I also disliked The Guest List and was especially disappointed because I put everything else aside the second the hold came in. Oh well — I’m learning not to get to excited about those thrillers when they come out. My library just got a copy of the Midnight Library and now I want to borrow it, thanks to your review 🙂
And thanks for the recommendation for The Wipers Times. My husband and I are struggling to find things we can both watch on the weekends and I think this might be the ticket right now. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Looks like fun knitting all around, Kat. 🙂 And thanks for the tip on the Wipers Times. We’re always looking for something good to watch these days!
I had to check-in on my Kindle in hopes of seeing your Hitchhiker and it is gorgeous! I think gradients are my favorites and your handspun is a lovely one. Your Autumn Forest is a classic and will be wonderful to wear. Thanks for the Matt Haig review and Wipers Times rec. I also knit and watch and it’s great to watch something good!
Lovely finish Kat and you are a bit further along on your Heart Warmer than I am! LOVE your Hitchhiker. Your handspun is so pretty – that icy blue!!! Looks like it was a good week for you and like others, thanks for the review of Wipers Times.
eep the guest list is on my want to read…now I am rethinking that desire… Of course your spinning is great, you are great! Lovely knits.
Your Hitchhiker — so amazing! I’m happy to hear about a book to avoid (my TBR list is long enough as it is), and The Midnight Library keeps popping up, so I’m glad to hear it’s a good read.
That hand spun yarn is beautiful.
Congrats on a finish this month, feels good doesn’t it? Looking forward to the big reveal!
That handspun Hitchhiker is divine, well done with spinning so evenly. Add the smooth gradient transitions, you have yourself a winner there.
I’m still waiting on The Guest List from my library but I’m not sure I want to read it after your review.
Thanks too for the DVD recommendations, I’m not a huge tv watcher but I’ve been struggling to find good content and have been recycling episodes of The Office and Psych. LOL!
Thank you so much for the book and movie recommendations. I am always on the lookout for those.
Your knitting looks lovely and, as a non-knitter, it is always amazing to me how it all comes together so beautifully! Well done!
lovely lovely knitting! Hitchhiker…swoon!
The Guest List got such hype in the media…I couldn’t wait to download and listen to it, and I struggled to finish it. Now I wonder why I bothered. BUT….the Midnight Library! What a gem!!!
That’s a beautiful hitchhiker you’ve got going. Be careful about your handspun getting too perfect, though! I enjoyed The Guest List for the story even if it’s not great literature.
I really enjoyed The Guest List–I kept comparing it to Agatha Christie, and the setting was almost a character, too. I’m going to read The Midnight Library for my book group–soon!
Your Hitchhiker is beautiful–I can’t wait to see the finished product.
The knitting is looking lovely-sorry about the reading duds.
Ooooooh that Hitchhiker! Thanks for the book info…gotta get on the list for Midnight Library.
Your knits are beautiful. The handspun hitchhiker is quite an inspiration to me. I do think gradients are so much fun. The Midnight Library caught my eye. Now with your review, I need to put it on hold.
Lovely knitting projects! I am glad you liked reading the Midnight Library, it is one I want to read this year too. Have a good week!
I’m seeing Midnight Library just about everywhere these days! Unputdownable is always a great recommendation… 🙂
I love your photo of Heart Warmer — just think of it as “artsy.” That Hitchhiker is AMAZING!! I can’t wait to see MORE!