Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Yarn Along and a New Book

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?



Another week has come and gone and the heat remains relentless.  But the knitting has made progress.  I have put the Wrapped in Leaves Shawl away for the moment because it is too hot to have that yarn on  my lap.  Socks are the knitting of choice when you don't want to sweat under the wool!

Over the weekend, while I was out running a few errands, I discovered this wonderful little basket at The Container Store.


It is not a natural fabric, but not totally synthetic either.  It is folded flat in the above picture and the fabric is stockinette.  Easy to put in your purse or knitting bag which was the purpose in buying it.


Just pop it open.


Fold down the sides.


And there you go!


As you can see, there is much progress on the V Junkie Socks.  This was my first pattern to make considerable modifications to.  I wanted a regular heel in stead of a short row which meant the instep pattern had to be re-worked.  I am so proud of myself for figuring out how to do it!  I am really a "pattern instruction follower" and not a risk taker when it comes to something different.  But I did it!




DPN's are my choice when knitting socks, but with my fibromyalgia it seems to be harder to manage the needles.  After I completed the heel and gusset I switched over to 2 circulars.  It also gave me a chance to try the sock on.

Over the weekend I dashed over to the Mad Tosh Store ( so lucky to have that here in town) and picked up this pattern.  I am thinking it will be on the needles soon!



On the reading front.... I am almost finished with The Birth House.  The further into it I read the more knitting shows up!  That was a pleasant surprise!  But even more pleasant was this:


Ann's new book arrived today in my mailbox.  If you haven't read One Thousand Gifts I recommend it !  This is her newest book and just the first page caused me to put it down and think.  This story is directed toward Advent and has already captured my heart.  If you are new to my blog you may not know that I met Ann back in May.  She is as beautiful in word and heart in person as she is on her her blog.  I hope you get to know her.  You won't be disappointed!

15 comments:

  1. I love Ann and just saw she has a new book out, I ordered it last night. Her firt book I have read three times.

    It is unbearable hot here too and I am looking forward to winter. Sock knitting sounds like a gook plan, although your new pattern, Whippoorwill, would be hard not to cast on right way, it's beautiful!

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    1. Love hearing from you! I wonder which of us will cast on first!

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  2. Gosh...love both of these projects. The color way in the socks and the pattern...swoon.
    I bet that lovely basket will come in handy!

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    1. You are so sweet! The verdict is in on the basket. Love!

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  3. loved knitting whippoorwill....!!! i need to switch to socks or shawl.....I started a cardi and it's too dang hot here, too!!! what was I thinking??? OK you are the second person recommending this book----today. I've seen it all over the blog world......amazon here i come!

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    1. I have to go back and find your Whipoorwill. Read Ann's first book before you read the new one. It will help you understand where she comes from. Her writing is very lyrical, so a slow read.

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  4. I hear Ann's new book was wonderful. I love your socks. They remind me of the Circle Socks I knit last year. I love that basket! I wonder how difficult it would be to crochet that with some thick cotton yarn?

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  5. OK, so much to say here. I just ordered that book! I love that shawl pattern. That basket is SO COOL! (I want 10 now), and the yarn for your socks is the most perfect blue. It was a feast to visit your blog today!

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    1. Oh Gretchen! What wonderful words! I can tell we will be great blog friends! Adding yours to my sidebar!

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  6. Love your pretty blue and white sock. good job for making it behave as you wished!

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  7. You live near mad tosh???? Lucky lucky you!! Love the shawl pattern. Your socks look divine! I switched from metal dpns to wooden and it did the trick for my RA, still can't marathon knit though.....

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    1. Yes mam I do! I have used wooden DPNs only for years, but I just don't see, to be able to manage the small movements any longer.

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  8. I love these socks. I didn't recognize the pattern at first even though the book is on my shelf at home. I just may need to cast these on as my next project.

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