Greetings Unravelers!
It’s Wednesday. It’s March. And I have some making *thoughts* to share!
I have been contemplating that gorgeous corduroy I got some months ago… that I have done nothing with. I had the idea that it would work for this pattern and I even made a muslin. But, I don’t like how the muslin fits, at all. But!! I have been spending lots of time thinking about what that corduroy wants to be and I have an idea in my head, but my endless Googling patterns has not found anything that matches what is in my mind… so I am going to make my own pattern. I know! What?!? I am contemplating making a sewing pattern… who am I?!?
I am still knitting… of course! But I have not knit a stitch on the handspun sweater. I am going to take Kym’s advice and give it a good soak and blocking before going any further but I have not gotten around to it… yet.
Instead, I have been working away on my Base12 Hitchhiker! I am 30-teeth in and loving it. I am about to transition to another color change and it is pure joy knitting!
I also started Gnedward… he needs a beard, some arms, and FEET… and he is going to have the best story! Stay tuned!
I have also been diligently practicing my “broken edge” watercolor techniques… every morning. I rewatched videos from Rick Surowicz. I watched YouTube videos of other watercolor painters. I bought some inexpensive brushes and got to work! The new *cheap* brushes and practice have been paying off! Yesterday, the brushes, the paints, and my hands all worked *together* with my brain! Haha!
So… lots of making thoughts and even some making!
Reading has been amazing! I finished my second listen of Dani Shapiro’s Signal Fires and I am positive that this will be the best book I read all year. It is so incredibly good! If you are on the fence about this book… get off it and go pick it up! Really! It is a MUST READ!
And thanks to Signal Fires, yesterday I started listening to Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and I purchased Edward Hirsch’s The Night Parade. Really, when a book you read sparks you to read another book (or two) that is a good book!
At night, I am well into James Comey’s soon-to-be-published book; Central Park West: A Crime Novel. I am reading a copy from Netgalley. It is a fast paced book, a murder mystery in NYC including an assistant district attorney in the SDNY office. I am about halfway in… but of course I have thoughts. I expected it to be better, actually. I will finish it but perhaps my expectations are too high for Mr. Comey’s writing abilities. I don’t know, but there you have it.
And that is is for me today. What about you? What making thoughts are you having this week?
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
I’m so curious about making your own pattern! I’ve thought of that a number of times, but have never done it. Your Hitchhiker is gorgeous and I love the yarn you are using for Gnedward and, of course, am looking forward to his story. Such a pretty tree you have painted Kat – your talent is shining through! I am in the queue for Signal Fires and reading that it has spurred you to read “Silent Spring” makes me even more curious about it (my Dad was a fan of Rachel Carson).
I LOVED Signal Fires. It’s such a simple – but powerful! – book. So glad you liked it, too. 🙂 And I’d love to hear more about your pattern-making idea! I’ve made my own patterns in the past . . . for VERY simple things (except a custom fishing vest for Tom, which was a true labor of love back in the day). Mostly when I made patterns for myself, I based them on store-bought clothes I really loved, so it wasn’t making them “from scratch” exactly. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Many exciting things going on, Kat! XO
I love your enthusiasm in this post, you sound like you’re raring to go on a bunch of things! I enjoyed Signal Fires very much.
What a terrific week of making and reading! I’m looking forward to the day when that pile o’ knitting is resolved into its completed parts and we get to see each of them in their glory. That watercolor tree is lovely!
I finally got Signal Fires from the library over the weekend and absolutely devoured it — so good! There is not a word out of place in that book. Your making is looking wonderful and I am glad to hear that things are clicking.
Oooh, I’m excited about your pattern making! I have a couple of Craftsy classes from back in the day about making slopers, which is helpful to that end (and also for making adjustments to existing patterns). I agree with Kym that using a garment that you already have for a jumping off point (measurements, proportions) is a good idea (I’ve seen lots of classes “on the internet” about doing just that).
Someday I’ll knit another gnome! I love watching yours…
I’ve never drafted a pattern but I have made fancy dress patterns without one! Not quite the same thing. If you can’t find a pattern you like then the only thing is to have a go yourself. Loving the tree, and the gorgeous yarn. Good luck with it all.
what a lovely array of crafting you got going on!! Your watercoloring is gorgeous and of course the knitting is divine. Now that things are settling down around here I’m finding pockets of time to get back to knitting.
Your energy is palpable!
I always love your trees. And you prompted me to go down the Dan Shapiro rabbit hole (thank you!). Have you read her memoir, Hourglass?
I always feel half the enjoyment of making something is that initial wondering of ‘what shall I actually make’. Your corduroy will definitely speak to you soon????
When anything written by a recommendation author is out on loan I’m guaranteed it’s a good recommendation- so thanks mentioning Shapiro, an author I’d not been aware of. Maybe I’ll start with her latest.
And we’ve a new gnome to look forward to!!
I love reading of what you’re doing. I so need to paint! And I used to sew, a lot. I have projects waiting and I’d love to design something, but it’s beyond me right now. What I do is look everywhere and find something close but I know how that can frustrating. I’m intrigued with the Arc patterns, but the traditional ones I used to use are not close to what I like. The styles have changed so much (away from what I like). So my problem is I did get a pattern (German made) and material but I’m not sure on how to get a pattern copied (being out of expensive ink I need to go to UPS store) and then how to use it. Tape? But on to your reading. Interesting about James Comey having a fiction book out. I started his memoir “A Higher Loyalty” and got halfway through. At first I had a huge grudge against him because of the 2016 elections. I still don’t agree with his actions and I think in retrospect he doesn’t either, but reading his reasonings about a lot of events totally swung me to his side as a person. He is for sure a very ethical person and I think his very good qualities might have skewed his judgment. At any rate I need to finish it and check out his book. He really is quite a good guy. Unfortunately history probably won’t see it that way.
oof! You are in the midst of all sorts of making – I love it! And I’m so glad you enjoyed Signal Fires — it was so wonderful!
Your making is inspiring. I love the hitchhiker and look forward to the next installment of the gnome story. In the last few years, I’ve read quite a bit about Rachel Carson. She was quite a woman. I may just have to go buy Signal Fires. I look forward to seeing what you do with the corduroy. Thank you for providing this space to link with others.
I am saddened that James Comey’s book is a disappointment. His first book was SO good. I have a hold on Signal Fires at the library, but my pain meds are making it hard to stay awake.