Greetings dear Unravelers and Happy Wednesday!
The making had a slight interruption this week with a blast of balmy weather it made sense to get out into the garden while the sun was shining! And despite it feeling unbelievably wrong to be out in shirtsleeves in March… I did get almost all the “pruning” done and I got a great start on the weeding! (Although, I left all the dandelions for the bees!)
But!! Despite spending quite a bit of time outdoors – I do have a finished Gnome!

Cher-gnome-ble… ready to wander!

Seeds, at the ready!
Dear Cher-gnome-ble… the bringer of spring! I really like him… his cape is so fun! I also gave him a bag filled with seed packets at the ready to sprinkle where he roams! The pattern called for only one arm, but as you can see, Cher-gnome-ble has two… it makes sprinkling those seeds easier! This pattern is from the latest set that Sarah Schira released. As you can see there are a number of Gnome Options and I have printed out the “viking” pattern and have been contemplating ideas for him her. What I immediately thought of when I saw the pattern was Brunnhilde from Wagner’s Ring Opera. So I think there will be another gnome… with a musical theme!

I really love these colors and the pattern helps to break up any pooling that might happen!
I cast on a new sock on March 1st! I am knitting socks and reading with @earthtonesgirl #ilovebooksandsockknittingkal24
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Socks and reading… seemed like a natural thing to participate in! I am starting with a skein of Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply in the Deep Sea Jelly Fish color way, and my sock pattern… I thought Hermoine’s Everyday Sock was a very bookishly perfect sock! And I am listening to The Bookbinder as well… I like this pattern (I am almost at the heel where I need to pay a bit of attention) and I am really enjoying this WWI story as well! Once this pair is done, I plan in casting on another pair as I have an over abundance of sock yarn and socks are perfect companions for an audiobook!
I have two finishes this week… Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River and Rachel Khong’s Real Americans (which will be published April 30, 2024) I liked both books… Real Americans maybe a bit more… the writing was just so beautiful and the story is different… very different. Real Americans has lingered with me… this would be an excellent book club discussion book! And The Frozen River piqued my interest in finding out more about Martha Ballard!
And there you have my week! What about you? What are you working on this week?
I just adore your gnome, all ready for the planting season. Perfect. Reminds me I should finish my socks this year!!
I’ve been saying ‘one of these days’ for a while now. Maybe some time this year my ‘sock making day’ will have arrived.
Your delightful springtime gnome is also the right colour for St Pat’s Day. He has a vaguely Irish look about him as well
Don’t tell Sarah Schira, but I always think your gnomes are better than her originals! I’m delighted that so many knitters I know are participating in the knitalong.
Perhaps several of us who have read Real Americans need to do a discussion? I agree there’s a lot to talk about.
Hope you enjoyed your time outside in the sun! It was so nice while it lasted.
I love your spring gnome! It is so perfectly suited to spring — colorwise, activity-wise, just everything! That said, I’m really excited to see a Ring Cycle gnome(tte) come to life! And Hermoine’s Everyday Sock pattern is my favorite sock pattern (from back when I actually used to knit socks once in a while. . . ). Love it in that yarn! Joyful, inspired knitting!
the little details of the gnome are so stinking adorable. Love love love them!! Yesterday was a beautiful day and I did get outside to soak up the beams.
Oh Kat! Your Gnome is just wonderful. I love the cape and I love that he is carrying seed packets. Your latest sock is really fun too. That is a “go-to” pattern for me…seems to work up quickly and is interesting. No sun here today…instead we have a very foggy morning.
I always think that your latest gnome is the best and that is certainly true for Cher-gnome-able! I love her cape, seed packets, staff, and that she will have a Wagnerian friend in the future. Your socks look wonderful, too! Happy Wednesday!
Sounds like a good week Kat. I really like the gnome. I didn’t know that you were following a pattern, I had the impression that it was your own free form knitting! That’s a compliment.
What a cute gnome! I love his beard. Kinda plotzing for that Viking & the Pirate in that collection, too. (Just ordered yarn for the upcoming gnome MKAL, so there will be gnome knitting next month!)
Oh my gosh Cher-gnome-ble! The little seeds! How absolutely marvellous.
I’ve done a good bit of making but zero blogging this week. There’s always next week ????
Cher-gnome-ble is just adorable. I love your sense of whimsey as you create these gnomes. His packet of seeds is just perfect. There is a scholarly book about Martha Ballard but as I recall it is a little dry. You can’t go wrong with Hermione’s Everyday Sock pattern. I wasn’t going to cast on another pair of socks but honestly, what’s not to love about this informal KAL.
Cher-gnome-able is perfectly adorable and the seed packets are a fabulous addition to her persona! Your socks are great and I’m glad you’ve read some good books, too.
Love the gnome.
Cher-gnome-ble = excellent! Your review of Real Americans prompted me to request it from the library.