Greetings dear Unravelers!
How on earth is it possibly August???
I have a finish this week, yes Shakerag is done! And I love it very much and am contemplating making another one! Shoulder seaming woes and all! Yes… it was a bitch and a half to seam… somehow the fronts and backs were not.the.same.width. I was NOT ripping back again to try and figure out what was the problem (I should have noted this in the pattern, but did not. I have not looked for errata, but I feel certain there must be because the fronts have 10 stitches more than the backs…ugh) Anyway, I managed to “ease” them together. I then decided not to do the “pick up and bind off” neck and arm finish and instead did a single crochet edge, which I like very much. It helps the neckline lay flat and once I re-block the sweater, I don’t think the arm holes will curl under. I LOVE the yarn I picked for this and will absolutely be using it again. It washed up and blocked beautifully! And the feel… it almost has a suede-like texture. It is really quite lovely. My next version will have a split hemline, I think…
And as for the transparency of this sweater… well, it is barely, which I think is just perfect!
I have the body of my second Test Knit done and have departed for Sleeve Island… I wish I could share more, but soon!
Oh this week’s reading! Wonderful!! Plus!! I have my Summer Book Bingo Coverall with the finish of McEwan’s Saturday! A brilliant finish for my card!
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.”
Imagine wanting to be something… anything… and writing a letter to someone who does what you want to do and he responds to the letter – sharing wisdom, insights, encouragement, and friendship.
This book is the story of that journey… Rilke’s letters to the young friend are beautiful. Gracious. Full of encouragement and hope. The tenderness and beauty of these letters is really quite incredible. The reader only sees Rilke’s responses and I spent a great deal of time pondering what it would have been like to have a mentor like this. But most of all, the wisdom Rilke shares are things you should store away… and you should remind yourself of that wisdom frequently. I highly recommend this book!
Saturday by Ian McEwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“When anything can happen, everything matters.”
My goodness can McEwan take you on an incredible journey… this is one of those journeys. Buckle in though… it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Fast-paced and fascinating, this story pulled me in from the beginning and about midway though the day, I remember thinking… boy, if ever the thought of it being a “good day to just stay in bed” this was it! What I really loved was how things eventually are all interconnected. Brilliant writing and McEwan never disappoints! I very much recommend this story!
Summer Book Bingo Square: Month or day of the week in the title
Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. Just wow. This title is pure perfection for the story that unfolds. I could not put it down… and I tried to go slowly to savor it but 24 hours later it was done. This is a story that will stay with me for a very, very, very long time though. I want to say I loved this story… but while I loved the characters, I did not love the story… until it grew on me, or perhaps it is better to say that as this story unfurled it began to envelop me… and as I settled in, I saw things differently.
This will absolutely be one of the best books I have read this year and I highly recommend it!
That is all I have for today but what about you? What does August hold for you?
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
What a good week you’ve had! Shakerag always strikes me as a funny name, but it certainly looks lovely. The perfect summer sweater! I’m anxious to see your Test Knit sweaters, too. My experience with Ian McEwan books is hot and cold, but I will look for Saturday, and I can’t wait for our discussion of Unsettled Ground. I hope your wonderful knitting and reading streak continues!
Yes, it has been such a good week for you Kat. I love your Shakerag and am still (occasionally) thinking of making one…but now I worry about the seaming… I just started reading Unsettled Ground last night! Only 50 pages in, but enjoying so far.
Love your summer top, Shakerag. I must admit, I am a lazy knitter, finishing items like seaming, buttons in both sewing and knitting are not things I look forward doing. They tend to get done just prior to needing or gifting said item.
I am always in awe of how much reading you get done.
Shakerag looks great despite the issues you had with the pattern. And I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed Unsettled Ground.
Your top looks amazing — I would never guess you had to deal with seaming frustration on it!
Sounds like you had an excellent reading week. Congrats on your cover-all! I have “Month or day of the week in the title” on my second card, so I’ll look to see if that McEwan is available.
I can’t remember the last time I knit an adult size garment…….I marvel each time I see what you can do with two needles and’a few balls of wool’ ????
I must have a look at Ian McEwan’s books – the name sounded familiar….seems I’ve read loads of other Mc….. authors but not him.
Your Shakerag turned out GREAT, Kat. I’ve always wanted to knit one . . . and maybe someday I will! It looks perfect for summer wearing. 🙂 And that’s how I felt about Unsettled Ground . . . just couldn’t stop reading!
I love that Shakerag! It seems like the perfect summer top.
And what a great week of books! It always feels good to be on a reading roll.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
I will echo the other commenters. Your Shakerag looks so lovely AND very wearable. The little crocheted neckline is the perfect finish. It has been awhile since I read Letters to a Young Poet. Did you listen to the On Being Podcast with two women who recently translated the book? I thought it was fascinating. What a great reading week. Go You.
I love the drape of the sweater and of course the color. You always knit such pretty patterns.