Greetings dearest Unravelers and Happy Last Wednesday of July!
Was it just me or did this month have two distinct qualities… the fast month ever and… at the same time… the slowest month ever! I am daily trying to stay in the moment each day… not always easy to do when the the fire hose of angst about the state of the world coupled with the unrelenting heat and humidity made for days that felt like they were dragging… and yet, how is August almost upon us!?
I have set aside some pages in my journal to write down some gratitude thoughts each day… not exactly a list, but close. Is it helping? Yes… I think it is… so I am continuing with it.
I am racing to the finish on Baby Blanket Number One, just one color to go! I am a bit worried about weaving in ends so that they will stay woven in. Do any of you have some tips or tricks for weaving in 100% cotton yarn and having it say put? Please share! I will be casting on Blanket Number Two as soon as I have cast off this blanket!
Last week, I took Dana Williams-Johnson’s dog sweater recipe class… and I loved every second of it! I have taken notes, done some measuring, and have charted out some “swirls”!! I am eager to cast on a sweater for Frankie so we can be twinning with our Swirly Attire! And no… I am not using a pattern! Who am I?! (Gauge + Maths = All The Info I Need!)
The reading has been delightful! I finished Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets and I loved it! It was so full of history… so full! I loved every bit of it… telling history through textiles seems to me to be the most significant way to tell history! I loved thinking about all the history that these carpets absorbed… what they hold… and what we can learn from them. If you like history and like being surprised… you will love Dorothy Armstrong’s book! I highly recommend!
I went from reading Threads of Empire to settling in with The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone (recently translated from Italian to English). I am about a quarter of the way in and I am loving the writing, the translation, and the setting. The writing is beautifully descriptive… I can almost smell the basil! (Ha!)
I continue to spend time with Chief Bruno with the next book in the series. Summer reading for the freaking win!
So as July draws to a close, how is your summer going? What are you hoping to still accomplish as summer blazes on?
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I know exactly what you mean about this month feeling both like it’s rushing past and dragging — it has to be the heat. I’ll be so glad when we get to fall temps! AS for the blanket ends, you could always use a sewing needle and thread to secure the ends if you’re worried about them working their way out. Can’t wait to see Frankie’s new sweater! I am hoping Ruthie will grow out of this chewing everything stage later this year so I can make her a sweater for the colder months.
How cool to be designing a twinning sweater for Frankie! You two will be so stylish together. I can’t wait to see this project unfold! I just requested The Letter Carrier (I’m 29th in the queue) and the second Chief Bruno book. Did you know that there is a cookbook out with recipes from that series? It is Bruno’s Cookbook: Recipes and Traditions From a French County Kitchen.
For me July just rushed past certainly didn’t drag its heels at all. We’ve been here 5 weeks now with another 5 to go and I bet August flies by as quickly as July did.
Maybe the blanket designer has some tips re. containing the ends – as it’s their yarn you’re using they should have ideas on how it will move with wear. Sarah’s suggestion of over sewing sounds a good one though
Is planning a new dog coat for when the cooler days arrive your way of wishing the hot ones away? 😁
I CANNOT WAIT to see the swirly dog sweater!!!! It is going to be EPIC, Kat. And . . . I have no real suggestions on the weaving-in, but I’d probably do multiple “rows” of weaving-in (if that makes any sense). XO
yay for the baby blanket being almost done!! I weave ends diagonally at least 5-6 stitches, never sure if it’s permanent but it looks good when they receive it 🙂
I remember complaining to my grandmother about how long some days dragged on when the kids were young. She told me the days drag on but the years fly by. That was true then and I think it may be true for this hot and angsty summer. I love that you’re done with one baby blanket and ready to start another one, and maybe even better that you’re planning a swirly dog sweater for Frankie. I can not wait to see you in your matching swirly attire! Re: weaving in ends: I’ve split the plies in half and woven each split end in two rows. There is a verypink knits video that advises splitting the plies and tying a knot, but I hated the idea of knots in the blankets I made.
I have to thank you for your Chief Bruno recommendations. I’ve read the first book in the series and was pleasantly surprised. As soon as I’m done with a few ARCs I’ll be reading the next books, and looking for the cookbook Vera mentioned!
Ohhh I absolutely need to check out Threads of Empire – that sounds like an amazing book!
In terms of ends, I’ve recently been doing a “double back” method where I weave 5-6 stitches in 1 direction and then turn and go back for a few stitches. Seems to be working ok!
I know just what you mean by this month slipping by fast and at the same time barely moving, how I long for good news! My sister told me about The Letter Carrier and how much she liked it, so it is on my TBR and I look forward to reading it!
I agree July days were fast and they were slow. I look forward to seeing Frankie in his sweater. The Letter Carrier sounds like a book I would enjoy. We have had a quiet summer. At first not being able to travel was a disappointment but eventually I decided to accept the here and now and make the best of a quiet summer. I make my gratitude list just after getting into bed and it has made a difference for me.
As well as Bonny’s suggestion to split the plies, is there something about leaving the snipped ends a bit longer, cutting in the diagonal so it’s not all or nothing if they do pop through, and/or fanning out the plies after cutting? All vague half memories I’m afraid but there might be a glimmer of something useful!
I can’t wait to see you and Frankie in matching sweaters, Kat! I am savoring this time as I love summer and don’t want it to end. August calls for more time on the deck, more grilling, more ice cream, and more camping!
Gosh you did that baby blanket quickly, well done. July in England has reverted to a normal Summer- sunshine and showers, but at least it’s cooler now. Back to taking umbrella and sunhat out with me everytime.