Greetings Unravelers!
Happy (almost) mid-July! (a statement that does not even seem remotely possible!)
Despite that fact…my world of the Great Summer Slow Down is full of so many good things!
I have a finish that I, sadly, cannot yet share. But I wanted to talk a bit about what I learned knitting this sweater… and I learned so much!! In my Knitting Life I have knit 3 sweaters that were steeked but it turns out that not once did I do the steek “correctly” until this sweater. And wow, what a difference correctly setting up the steek makes! The key tip for me was knowing which “leg” of which stitch to use. Also, picking up the button bands while the sweater is still un-steeked is the loveliest thing ever! And it has an added bonus of allowing you to match exactly when you pick up the second band! I have pulled together the yarn to knit a second sweater, but I have not yet cast on. Maybe later today… maybe.
But I have not been idle…not at all! I have been engrossed in a bit of drawing, some knitting on my mystery shawl, lots of reading, and the start of some hand stitching!
The last mystery clue came out yesterday but have not started that clue…yet. I am really not in a rush to finish though because I am thoroughly enjoying this pattern! It is nice working on it a few minutes each day and it will be finished long before I need to use it! Ha!
What I have been doing has been pulling some “scraps” of fabric together for some sewing! I cut out and have begun stitching (appliquéing?) the “moons” on my first make from Dawn. An easy start for the #DawnMakeAlong that I am doing just a bit differently… I am hand stitching versus using my sewing machine. It makes the project entirely portable… and stitching with Jack McCall might be my favorite thing ever! As you can see, I have one moon completed and a second one has begun. (Good thing I am liking this handwork… I have fallen in love with this project from the issue and think that it could be the perfect late summer project!)
And as for some “next season” inspiration, some months ago I pre-ordered Kaffe Fassett’s new quilt book and it arrived on Monday! Oh.My.Gosh! The quilts are just beautiful and though they look complicated, after reading some of the instructions…well, they seem quite easy – or at least not as challenging as they look! I really love how Kaffe helps you with “lights and darks” so it looks like it will be a bit easier to pick fabrics – which is my challenge! But perhaps the best part is how he uses his stunning fabrics to create works of art.
I know I said I would not have a Bingo update, but the next Gabriel Allon book came through from the library and there were a good number of people behind me on the waitlist so I read it over the course of a couple of nights. Honestly, I could barely put it down!
The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down book! I love Allon’s team… especially, the return of Sarah! And the ending was just so perfect (okay, both endings, lol!)
I highly recommend this series! The writing is good.
Summer Book Bingo Square: An author you love
And I continue to be immersed in Beach Music… I expect I will finish it tomorrow. It is the perfect companion to stitching on the porch!
That is all I have for today. What about you? What are you loving right now?
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
Oh!! Liking your “moons” – I’m interested to see the end result…and curious as heck about your finished sweater which cannot yet be revealed…..glad you are enjoying some leisurely time on the porch with hand sewing in your lap and a good book in your ears. That’s exactly how summer should be!
I can’t wait to see the sweater when you’re able to share! Stitching while listening to a good book sounds like the ultimate in relaxation.
yesterday I sat down and knit a bit and it was glorious! I hope I get more opportunities to do that since we are slowly settling into our new home 🙂
Sounds like you have a whole lot of great projects to work on, Kat! What a lovely way to spend summer days. 🙂
Sounds like you are keeping yourself busy with all kinds of fun projects and plans.
In my mind, hand stitching and summer go together. I think it’s a throwback to my early teaching days when I had summers off and hand pieced quilts. Your comments about steeking are intriguing. I don’t love knitting a raglan cardigan back and forth and was just thinking I should try steeking. I’m loving the long summer evenings.
ahhhh…. sounds like the perfect mix of activities for “mid-July”! I’m totally in love with that shawl – texture is my favorite thing to knit and wow! also, what a brilliant idea to pick up the button bands before you cut. pure genius!
What a wonderful post! I can’t wait to see your finished sweater — and possibly a second one?! Picking up button bands before cutting the steek sounds awesome — I would worry much less about the potential for unraveling. The sweater I’m knitting now includes a steek… perhaps I’ll try it?
Those little moons – sigh! And the pebble quilt you’ve been eying is lovely as well. So many good things on the horizon, Kat! <3
Kat, your Summer Slow Down sounds like it’s going swimmingly! Your hand stitching reminds me–I saw some beautiful linen squares done with Japanese hand embroidery, ‘Sashiko’. (Reminiscent of Lotta Jansdotter’s geometric patterns.) (And while I’m not in a spot to do it right now, I did tuck it away in my mental file. Have you seen or tried it?)
And totally unrelated–I was on Presque Isle the other day and thought of you!!