Happy New Year, Dear Unravelers!
In the “Dead Zone” that is the week between Christmas and New Years I did some “retail therapy” with Miss Babs. Why, you ask, could I need more yarn?!? Well, suffice it that it felt right and so I did it! My year of making is going to include a bit of a Gnome-a-thon! Yes, I am joining Imagine Landscapes for her Year of Gnomes! There might have also been a few things that “fell” into my cart from the MDK sale as well. I got notification yesterday that my yarn from Miss Babs is on its way but have heard nothing yet about the MDK extravaganza heading my way! I am hoping that soon every.single.field.guide. will be here. If nothing else, it will be some excellent reading! Ha!
Meanwhile… I did begin the Base12 Advent Spin. Oh my, is this going to be fun. My plan is that I will spin half of the twelve packages on one bobbin, the other half on another bobbin and I will ply them together. I have no clue what is in any of the little packages but the first package (Number Five thanks to the roll of the cute little die) spun up beautifully. I don’t know the exact content of the wee little batt but there is silk… gosh it is lovely! And the tiniest bit of something shiny! (And that color! Yes, I am liking it!)
I also cast on a new knit! Remember that mohair silk from the hat I knit for myself last year? Well… I started a cowl (Thanks to Karen at Pumpkin Sunrise!) So far, so good… sort of. If I look closely at the fabric under very bright lights the pooling is quite horrid, imo. (It’s the mohair that is causing the problem… grrrr!) However, I am telling myself that I don’t think any of the pooling will be at all noticeable when it is around my neck and that is working… kinda, lol. Further, I am reminding myself that when I am wearing it I won’t be looking at it. Anyways, I am loving that the mohair seems much fluffier when paired with the handspun yarn that it did with the Weld. I would kind of like to have this done soonish, as we are finally supposed to get some actual winter-type weather in these parts!
Whew!! That is all the making that I got done since we last spoke!
The reading had highs and lows last week and I have NO finishes at all this week, thus far. I started Still Life but could not get it finished before it was due (yeah I did not start it when I got it… and silly me thought that I would be able to read it in a day or two which was not the case. So I am back on the holds list… sigh.)
In my ears is the very compelling tale about the Sackler’s – Empire of Pain… I might be finished with it next week, but maybe not… it is not a story that I can just “sit and get lost in” kind of book.
I did get one more book finished last year… it was a book from Netgalley and boy was it good! As for the other finish…well you can read below!
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Oh my… I really, really, really wanted to love this book but boy did it fall flat.
I have read every Louise Penny book and a good number written by Secretary Clinton and separately, I love their voices… together…not so much.
I hated, hated, hated the “Three Pines” mentions… really… they did not work at all for me. I don’t like an abbreviated Gamache.
If you love Three Pines writing, and you love the things Secretary Clinton has written… you probably won’t like this book.
2.5 stars rounded up to three.
An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World by Patrisse Khan-Cullors
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was the perfect way to end 2021… and I believe this brilliant little book is “must reading” for every single person in America. Really.
Patrisse Cullors gives the reader a road map to be a catalyst for change in the world… and I am not talking radical change (although I think if one applies all of her 12-steps it would radical!) This book seemed to me a series of love letters to yourself and to the people around you that you might interact with every single day.
The only reason I am giving this book 4-stars is because I truly wished it was longer… gosh, it was so good I did not want it to end.
If you want to be a better ally… read this book. But realize that if you do read this book, you will be setting yourself on the path to becoming a better human. And wouldn’t it be a wonder if everyone who reads this book suddenly finds themselves on the same path as everyone else!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook. I highly recommend!
And that is all I have for today! What about you… any New Year Cast On’s? Any new books? Do tell!
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
Gosh that cowl is going to be beautiful (really it already is). I’m slowly working on my Holiday Socks and my reading has been a real slog with Matrix (not enjoying at all). You are the first one I know of who did not enjoy the Penny/Clinton book. I have not even requested it from my library and now don’t think I want to…Looking forward to seeing your Advent Spin progress. That first color is amazing!!
The cowl is really pretty, Kat (although I hear you on the pooling. . . ), and I’ll bet it will soft and luxurious while you’re wearing it. And I’ve heard enough “meh” reviews on the Penny/Clinton book that I’ve been . . . holding off on reading it. (And isn’t it fun to splurge on fiber now and again?) 🙂
Your cowl does look beautiful and more importantly, warm! And that spinning! I’m looking forward to seeing what you end up with in the end. State of Terror had all the typical problems with thrillers for me, but I kept imagining how much fun Louise and Hillary must have had writing it together. Empire of Pain made me profoundly sad and angry, but I’m glad I read it. I will check Netgalley for An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Thanks!
I think the cowl is going to look great. If I look closely, I can see a bit of pooling, but it doesn’t bother me, and I think it’s going to be so subtle that it’s not going to stand out at all. Just think how warm and cozy your neck will be!
I hope you can get Still Life again soon. I had to put it off the first time it came through from my holds because I was in the middle of something else, but it was so worth it!
I really enjoyed State of Terror and I was charmed by the inclusion of Three Pines. Thanks for the recommendation of An Abolitionist’s Handbook. I read When They Call You A Terrorist and thought it was excellent. Still Life is definitely a slower read but it’s worth it and I hope you can get your hands on it again soon.
I do love coming to read your posts as I always have to look things up and learn things from your posts. Last week it was SABLE, this week I had no idea what MDK or Miss Babs were, but now I know!
I love your cowl and cannot really see any pooling but it is annoying when that happens isn’t it. I am debating a yarn purchase at the moment and in the meantime am knitting blanket squares. Reading wise, not much, do emails count :), only joking have read a little of Inner Work by Robert Johnson, I started reading it last year and am not sure why I stopped. I realised this week that I had nearly as many unfinished books on my bedside table as the number of books I finished reading in 2021 (my list was very short)
I was curious about both of those titles, Kat–so thanks for those. (I always appreciate the time saver when something’s such a big ‘sink’–or win–for someone here. As a not-very-fast reader, and with limited reading time in this season of life, I’ve gotten pretty choosy not only with what I pick up–but what I finish!
And what a start to your making. I can’t wait to meet all of your gnomes!
I can’t wait to see all that yarn headed your way! And GNOMES!
The cowl is very pretty. I notice a little pooling but it doesn’t seem overpowering to me. I have never knit with Miss Babs yarn but her colors sure are beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing what you ordered. It is fun to splurge on new fiber now and again. Enjoy the spinning.
I love the way the color is pooling in the cowl, something about the light and fluffiness of it makes it beautiful instead of annoying.
I cast on and knit a hat I love for myself during that last week of the year in some Plied Yarn I treated myself to, and now I am resistiing all temptations and finishing up WIPs.
As always I so appreciate your book reviews and suggestions!
I love the dead zone it’s the best time of the year 🙂 Lovely knitting!!