Wednesday's Are For Knitting

Getting organized in a timely manner in order to list my Summer Bucket List just didn't happen. However, there are several things I'd like to do this summer while the sun shines and the skies are blue and first on my list is to soak up the heat! I'm the one who is always complaining about how cold I am so my intent is to get as much warmth into my skin as I can (not by sitting in the sun, but in any other way I can). 

Second on my list is to knit, read, and sew every chance I get. I am working on my beading my Alabama Chanin T-shirt, a slow, slow process, but loving every bead and sequin I sew into place. I'd also like to work on my Market Bag and maybe sew a pair of pants, ala Marcy Tilton and Vogue.

And, since Wednesday's are for knitting, I plan on knitting as often as possible through the summer. Through the Loops Mystery is on my needles now and since it's a mystery, the results are slightly obscured.

I love my-new-favorite-color of Kim's yarn, Through the Looking Glass. At some point, there should be the addition of another color (where or when remains a mystery) and I think my choice will look great with the blue. I am much enamored with the process of the lace, even if it has tripped me up a few times, but sometimes the process means "back"  as much as it means "forth".  How does your knitting go? 

From Dark to Light

Do not look at the picture in this post if you do not want to see Through The Loops Mystery Shawl. 

I have been knitting on the Mystery Shawl and haven't wanted to show pictures in case someone wanted it kept a secret, but I'm going to show it today because it's the only thing I've knit for the last 3 weeks. The Black Trillium Gradient has worked well until Clue #3 when the contrast in shades created strong striping. The stripes were knit in order to mitigate a solid line of a new color and, in the all of it, I truly think it will work out. The eye should pass right over the stripes when seeing the full effect of the color-shaded lace.

It looks pretty nice, don't you think? This is through clue #3, so I have two more clues to knit. I'm working on clue #4 now. The color in the photo is bluer than the actual yarn which is charcoal gray. I'm looking forward to a dramatic end to this shawl as the last shade is nearly black.

During my quiet time this weekend an unexpected thing happened. I started listening to William Faulker's "Light in August". I listened as a did a few chores and listened as I grocery shopped. I listened as I cooked and I listened as I knit. I became so rapt in the story I couldn't break free. It was like a python had wrapped around me and help me as tightly as it could. There were times I did not breath, as the descriptions of time, place, people, and emotion held me fast. Finally, after hours of listening (around chapter 10) I realized I had to break free. It took all I had to stop the book and come back into my own life. I'll have to wait for another day to resume the story, as it held too tight a grasp on my mind.

Have you read a book lately that held you in its pages?

Check out Ginny's blog. Knitting and reading posts were her idea. You can join along, too.

Wednesdays are for Yarning Along

Eating wasn't the only thing I did over the weekend. There was a fair amount of knitting and reading, although not as much as I'd have like. While I met my goal of reading 80 books this year, I have made little progress on my current choice. It's not for lack of desire, it's lack of time to sit and hold the book in my hands.

The Luminaries is nearly 850 pages, which is going to take some time. I've become enrapt in the story and hope to be finished by months end. Many of the books I read I listening to, which I can do while accomplishing other tasks. Recently I listened to Chris Hadfield narrate his book, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. If you've not heard of Chris Hadfield you really should watch the video of his performance of David Bowie's Space Oddity. It's worth your time.

I'm making good progress on Acorn Trail and have just decreased for the armscye. The back will soon be completed and blocked. It's best to check and make sure I'm on the right track. Hopefully, I'll be able to put in more time and complete this sweater before winter is gone. The discontinued Rowan yarn is a deep tweedy red. I find red the hardest of all colors to photograph well and the dark and stormy night did not help matters. So, what are you knitting and reading?

Yarn Along with Ginny

Cap it Off

Remember the Retreat I went to a couple of weeks ago? Since the only thing I had on my needles was Remember When, with its short rows, eyelet rows and picot trim, I felt I needed something much easier to knit. Keeping track of all that was just too much while chatting and laughing (and drinking). When I shared with a friend what my project would be, she was shocked I chose cables. I'm knitting Bray Cap from BT13 with Shelter and I've started the crown shaping. This baby will soon be finished.

I've been doing cables for almost as long as I've been knitting. They were so beautiful, so foreign, and fashionable. I taught myself to do cables by making a scarf for my Dad. I followed the instructions stitch by stitch (no charts in the "old" days).A few years ago I learned to do cables without a cable needle and I fell in love with the technique (YMMV).

The book I'm reading (no picture) is by a favorite author, Nicole Krauss. Man Walks Into a Room has gripped me from its first pages. I'm half way through, unsure of where the story is leading but completely wrapped up in Samson's story. Krauss brings the reader to a place of understanding the solitary solitude of not knowing who you are.

Yarn Along with Ginny

To Read or To Knit?

That is the question. Is it better to have a chapter of a book under ones belt or is it better to knit for a few rows?  This is my constant dilemma. I work 8 hours a day and by the time dinner is over (good food takes more time than fast food),  errands and chores finished for the day, time's up, I'm beat, the day is over.

With intent, I checked this book out from the library, but after it sat for a couple of weeks, I realized there were more books on my nightstand than I could get to. I was returning it last Saturday when a friend called to say she'd be late for lunch. I picked it up, started to read, and I couldn't put it down. Instead of returning the book I renewed it (I love on-line library services) and plan to  finish it as soon as possible.

And then, there is the knitting project which has been waiting for its cast on. My intent when purchasing the beads was to start right away, but as you can see, the project is languishing. This is not due to lack of interest, but due to lack of sitting time, which is the same problem I am having with the book(s). No matter how I plan my days, in the end, there just isn't enough time to fit in two of my favorite things.

March 1st

Does it feel as if there will be a change? A warming of the earth, the spirit, the heart and maybe, just maybe a thaw of all the snow and ice? The next few days look to be warmer than the whole of the last two months and I am so hopeful we will see signs of spring. I've heard birds and seen them bouncing around the trees and, just yesterday, I saw spears peeking through the earth in a neighbors yard. I do believe they'll have crocus soon! I still have a foot of snow at my front door and 6" on my patio.

I missed Yarn Along as we had a major computer failure in my office (yes, I do a fair amount of writing from work) and a couple of my evenings were spent with grrlfriends, which left me no time to blog. Let me tell you how boring, and full of angst, an office can be when there is so much is unknown and there is no connection, except by phone, to the outside world.  A stand still is not good in the work world. big sigh  We are SO grateful IT was able to work out the problems.  But I feel like that March Hare. I'm late!

Two things I love most are knitting and reading, just as it is for Ginny and so many of you. The sleeve of Chicane is going well and the construction continues to be unique and interesting. More time spent with the needles would yeild faster results, but the sleeve is growing.  The book group I belong to is reading Angle of Repose over the next two months (it's a big book). I read it years ago, loved it, and I'm happy to be reading it again.

Not Ready For A Close Up

The trouble with Quill is she is not photogenic. She has me a ibt worried about her long term prospects. The poor thing was stuck in one spot for a long time, as I took a side trip for some secret knitting. Hopefully she did not feel abandon or feel as if she were an ugly duckling (even though she is).

Because I made an error several rows back, I had to tink 2 and a half rows. It took considerable effort and, possibly more time to tink them together. However, it did make me feel more productive. When finished I had a private little celebration (i.e. rye) and continued on.

To help the poor Quill feel better about herself, and to assure myself she is worth all this fuss, I must push on with her fancy dress up lacy border...and then there is the edging. Slowly, I have made my way to the half way point of the Old Shale border, which means she could remain non-photogenic for some time.

The book on my iPod (sorry no picture) is Stoner and I'm not quite sure how it ended on my "to read" list. I'm about half way through and, while the writing is excellent , and the book worth reading, I'm not sure I want to read another book about the life of a troubled/sad/unfulfilled man (The Lighthouse and Sense of an Ending come to mind).It last not for awhile. All three books were full of wonderful imagery, but the men, not all that likeable. I'll be looking for something light and fun for my next book.

Once again I'm joining Ginny in two of my favorite pursuits.

When You Can See the Air

As long as the air is visible (it's called the "dreaded inversion") I'm staying indoors and cozying up with my knitting and reading. Sunday, after a day of gray, we saw the sun  (filtered through smutz) and a bit of blue sky. A storm has been predicted for today that should (may) scour the valley and give our lungs (and sinuses) some much desired relief.

I've only just started this book by Jana Richman, but I'm enjoying the pace and style of the story, which takes place in an area of Nevada, which is known as the Great Basin. The writer is a local and she'll join the discussion at our book group later this month.

The knitting is a secret and it needs to finish by the end of the month for our 9th Annual SnB Grrls Anniversary Party!!

Joining in with Ginny for Yarn Along day.

Knit Read Along

My Small Business Saturday was spent at the LBS because, it seemed silly to add to the stash, as I am such a slow knitter.  Don't get me wrong. I love yarn and I'll continue to buy yarn, but I really wanted a book or two of poetry. When I read about Mary Oliver's new book on NPR, I knew it was poetry that would touch my soul. Mary is one of the few poets whose books permanently reside on my poetry shelf. Her love of nature and her gentle words read like little prayers.

Quill continues to grow at a slow pace, but since I decided to be loyal for a few days, good progress has been made.  Markers are a must when knitting an old shale pattern, or feather and fan. I'm on row 8 of 52, rows that grow longer. The rhythm of the pattern is now in my mind and it's easier to keep the beat.

Poetry is not on everyone's reading list and I'd like to know if you, dear reader, enjoy poetry, and if you have a favorite poet. Is poetry a part of literature you skip over and ignore.  Poetry flows in and out of my life, it's not something I read daily (usually). I am looking for easy to read, easy to absorb poetry. Have you a favorite?

Knitting and Reading with Small Things, a gentle poetically written blog by Ginny.

Along

Knitting garter stitch can be meditative, as it brings into focus the simplicity, and elegance, of a knit stitch. Wrapping the yarn around the needle over and over can work to create anything. We are so fortunate to have this creative, useful and beautiful ability in our hands.

The center square of Chocolate Quill is growing and the exquisite fabric of alpaca and silk is soft, warm, and luxurious. It won't be too long before I can pick up stitches all around the edges and start the process of knitting lace.

The book is "On Canaan's Side", which is a reread for me.  Last year I recommended it to my book group and was surprised (and pleased) to see it on the list for this years schedule. I hope they like it as much as I did. Barry's writing tore at my heart strings and brought home to me the feelings of love, sorrow, and pain in Lily's long life.

Yarn Along with Ginny of Small Things.