Greetings Unraveler’s and Happy Wednesday!
February is moving along… but not fast enough… sigh. I am so over the never-ending overload of BS… days that feel like weeks… and trying to stay focused on something positive seems a Herculean effort most days.
Thank goodness for making! Stitching continues to bring me joy… I have another page completed and have begun what will be a set of pages with the focus of Japanese mending. As you can see I have a bowl that I am doing some “kintsugi” stitching on. I will be adding in a few more “repairs.” The next page in the set will have a focus on boro stitching. I am enjoying the Japanese stitching rabbit hole… and I’d like to thank Laura of Daily Fiber for being the inspiration for these pages!
On the left are the delightful EPP hexies… and on the right my nod to Japanese Kintsugi.
I am close on a finished Bolin Cardigan… close, but not quite there yet. I while the rows are short, I will confess that it is a bit cumbersome flipping back and forth. I should have done the button band before I knit the sleeves. Note for any who might knit this in the future to jump ahead and finish the button band before you knit the sleeves! I will be happy when I am done and I can be wearing this delightful sweater though! The fabric is just scrumptious… the combination of Rowan Felted Tweed and Kid Silk Haze are a match made in heaven!
Then it’s back to the blanket knitting, and for those who asked, I am using the exact yarn colors that Hélène used… but I want to swatch for this vest in the coming days (thank you, Sarah for bringing this pattern to my radar!) I would like to use Holst Coast… a cotton/wool blend. I love this yarn… it wears like iron, does not pill, and works for almost all the seasons!
The reading this week is saving my life! I finished Hisham Matar’s memoir, The Return. I absolutely love Matar’s writing and his memoir was moving and so educational. I know almost nothing about Libya, but his memoir made me see Libya in a different light… which is a very good thing. I immediately got on the (long) waitlist for his follow up to The Return, A Month in Siena.
At night, I am fortunate to be immersed in a new Ann Cleeve’s mystery. A mystery that ushers in a new series! A Lesson in Dying introduces us in a round about way to Inspector Ramsay. I loved Ann’s forward explaining the method to this novel… and I am really enjoying the mystery!
That is all I have for today… what about you? What’s holding your attention these days?
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Yay for a new Ann Cleeves! Thank you for putting this on my radar 🙂 Your stitching is lovely – well done. Looking forward to seeing the finished cardigan!
What beautiful stitching! I love how you’re exploring different methods of stitching and even some other art practices through your pieces. And I’m excited that we’ll have coordinating vests! So far, I’m super impressed by the pattern.
I hear you on trying to focus with all the noise in the world, sigh. It’s tough and every morning I vow to do my best and then well, you know. Loved seeing your projects, we’re being creative no matter WHAT.
You’re stitching Kat!!! It just seems to be getting better and better. I love the Kintsugi piece – just lovely. I keep thinking of a vest, but really I should (and I want to) get on with what is already on my needles. It is bitter cold here, but at least there is no longer snow in our forecast! Stay warm.
Reading is my great escape these days and I am trying to let myself be completely absorbed by great stories! I’m over this bitter cold, over the firehose of news every minute, and ready to find something hopeful instead!
Love your stitching, Kat! It’s so joyful and fun . . . it just makes me smile. And your yarn-combo for the sweater is just lovely. It looks like it will be perfect for the sure-to-be-cold days ahead! XO
I love your stitching and look forward to seeing it on Wednesdays. I can almost feel the soft squishiness of your sweater fabric and I hope you get to wear it soon. I’m betting there will be plenty of winter left to fully enjoy this wonderful sweater!
Thanks for the shout out. I’m enjoying my weeks long exploration of Japanese fabric and quilting practices. I recently mended a flannel shirt for my husband and worked it over with boro stitches. Now I want to do more.
I can believe that the yarn combination in your sweater is great match. I love both of those yarns. Your stitching makes me smile. The bright little hexies are nudging me to give EPP a try. My mantra these days is “hold fast to what is good” but sometimes it is an uphill battle. Take good care Kat.
I love that kintsugi piece!! What a great exploration this is turning out to be. That sweater, with that combo of yarns, is going to be the MOST cozy thing ever! Hurry up & finish because Spring is only a month away & you’ll want to get some wearing time in. 🙂 I’m putting a lot of pressure on a pair of Pressed Flower Mittens to hold my attention (& entertain & distract)… we’ll see.