Greetings gentle Unraveler’s and Happy Wednesday!
October is just racing past and I am honestly shocked that it is the 22nd already!
But… I am happy to report that I almost have another completed blanket and I really like this one! Simple garter stitch is just brilliant! It will need a wash and some ends woven in, but it will soon be on its way to Heidi in Michigan! I used a blanket kit from Purl Soho… and I will report back on how this yarn washes up. Yes, I am planning on washing it the machine and tumbling it in the dryer. I am trusting Purl Soho that the yarn is machine washable. Their Daily Wool is a delight to knit with and I will absolutely be using it again!
I will soon be casting on Flock Sweater #3…beginning with my least favorite bits… the sleeves. Ha!
I did… finally… get September stitching done! (please note… October is not yet started!!) I am happy with September and am delighted to have just 3 months to go. I am contemplating something entirely different for next year. Dear Clara shared something that has entirely consumed my thoughts so while being entirely overtaken by this new obsession, I ordered Tomomi Mimura’s book to do some studying of her fascinating mosaic embroidery (i.e. creatively placed darning stitches!) My plan is to do a bit of “practice” sampling as soon as all the baby knitting is completed (and not one second sooner!!) I will have to dig out an embroidery hoop and a scrap piece of linen (I have LOTS of linen scraps!) I want to practice with both Perle cotton (my usual stitching thread) as well as using some yarn bits and bobs. Her book gives amazing instructions (on both techniques and for creating these little stitched creatures!) It looks easy, but I think it is trickier than I imagine! If I can figure it out, I have an idea for some free form daily stitching for next year. A smaller (and perhaps more manageable size) project! Someone asked about the size of my stitching project this year… it is quite large! It is roughly 36″ square… big! But I really like how it is all one piece… nothing to join together but it is a lot of fabric to maneuver to stitch each day!
September’s stitching (mostly completed in October!)
The other question that was asked before vacation was what yarn was I using for Gudrun’s Hairst Hap Hood. I used Shetland Spindrift from Jamieson’s in the color way they created for her, Hairst (205).
Whew! That’s a lot of making and thinking about making!
Now for a little interlude of my art journaling from our trip!
There has been some reading as well (though not a great deal of it. A week with Steve is a week with practically no reading… sigh.)
I finished a book Netgalley book (it was published September 30th) and have not stopped thinking about it since I finished it. It is a compelling story about how abuse can define a person right down to the choice of going from one abusive situation to another. It shows how very hard it is to step away from the abusive situation… and it is also overflowing with hope. The hope of the support of friends and how impactful a friend can be. It takes place in Ireland, but I think it is a story that could be in any place in the world. If you read and enjoyed Roisin O’Donnel’s Nesting, I think you will enjoy Betsy Cornwall’s memoir, Ring of Salt.
I also finished Matthew Davis’ A Biography of a Mountain and I have very mixed emotions about it. You can read my review here. If you like history, you will probably enjoy it… but I recommend it with a bit of a warning… Davis is caught in a bit of a tug of war between the right of art and rights of Native Americans regarding Mount Rushmore. At times he seems for the art and others he seems to understand the rights of the Lakota but he is very back and forth about this. (To me it seems to be very clear… we did an irreparable harm to the Lakota but your thoughts might be different.) It will be published November 11, 2025.
And that is it for me this week. What about you? What’s consuming your creative thoughts this week?
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Nice progress on the baby knitting Kat! I’m looking forward to seeing the latest blanket finished and congratulations on getting to the 3rd Flock sweater!! Your grandchildren will be wrapped in love. And you have some inspiring things to motivate you to finish up!! Your September stitching is just lovely…now on to October! The mosaic embroidery looks like fun – I can’t wait to hear more as you dive into this. Thanks for sharing your art journal from Presque Isle. LOVE!!! Such pretty and delicate paintings you’ve done. I will probably skip “Ring of Salt” (at least for now). I’ve had enough of reading about abuse having just finished “The Names”….
I never liked garter stitch until I was 40 yo then I saw the beauty and squishiness in it!! What was my younger self thinking??? Lovely shade of blue and you will definitely get that stitching done.
Karen mentioned the right word to describe garter stitch- squishy.
I used to think it was such a basic stitch, useful only to use for charity squares. Now I realise the beauty comes from just that……being down to earth – no airs and graces – yet refined.
A blanket made in garter stitch is just right for a little one to treasure and cart around with them…..think Linus. Don’t forget to show it to us before it goes to its new home
Hooray for nearing the finish line on baby knitting! Your newest grandchildren will be swaddled in warmth and love. Your September stitching looks great and I love mosaic embroidery. I’m glad that you’ve got ideas swirling around for next year! And your art journal is a thing of beauty. I know next to nothing about Mount Rushmore and thought it sounded interesting when I saw you were reading it, so I requested it from NetGalley. I’m slowly reading it and I see what you’re saying. I’m learning things but the writing is kind of fraught. I loved Nesting so I may put Ring of Salt on my list. Thanks for all your great catching us up!
I’ll be interested to hear how the blanket fares in the washer and dryer. Tossing knits in with regular laundry is easier, but I’m often disappointed when the knits come out looking beat up. Thanks so much for sharing your journal from your trip — so inspiring! And I’m really intrigued by that embroidery, so I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
So much good stuff here, Kat! I LOVE your art journaling most of all. It’s a perfect memento of your time away this fall. The paintings are absolutely inspired! I always enjoy catching up with your monthly stitching — and I can certainly see why you’ve been captivated by mosaic embroidery. It is stunning. And looks like fun, too. Happy stitching and knitting and reading!
Your art Journal is truly beautiful. I’ve never seen mosaic embroidery. It’s really compelling. I’m hoping you share a picture of YOUR blanket soon. I
Your journal is a work of art. I admire your artwork. It is beautiful. I also enjoy seeing the monthly stitching. And congratulations on all the baby knitting. Those little ones will indeed be wrapped in your love. Currently I am seeing much to recommend Purl SoHo yarn. Their palette is so pretty and they have so many lovely yarns.
Mosaic emnroidery looks straightforward but to then go making toys decidedly complicated. I shall enjoy seeing how you get on if you go down that route.
Wonderful art journaling and a squishy garter stitch blanket sounds perfect. I’m sure you’ll figure out your October stitching when the time is right.