Today I’m joining Ginny over at Small Things – sharing what I currently have on my needles and in the book pile.
I love starting on new knitting projects but am not very good at finishing them up. Although I have three pairs of mittens and a little person’s sweater on needles elsewhere I am putting my energy into this hat for myself. My in-laws gifted me this beautiful, fingering-weight alpaca yarn from a farm in their area. I have spent lots of time admiring it but because of its light weight I’ve been afraid to start anything that may never get finished. The original plan was to make a cardigan for myself but I fear that may be a little ambitious knowing my history and fear of small needles. After some advice at my local yarn store, I’ve decided to start with this hat from 100% rain. Alpaca is stronger and much warmer than sheep’s wool – just perfect for the cold days we’ve been enduring. Then maybe I will confront my fears and try something larger…no promises, though.
As for books, I have a weakness for children’s novels. It may be embarrassing to pull out kid’s lit in a waiting room when none of my littles are present but I love being reminded of the wonder I felt reading as a child. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma is the third in this series and while they are a little too old for my gang, I think they are fantastic. Adventure, mystery and fun. I have read plenty of children’s novels that didn’t have a child’s voice but Trenton Lee Stewart has done a great job of writing for children (and, ahem, adults) with this series. We haven’t started Mary Poppins yet but my big girls and I are excited to read it together – and, of course, we adore the movie. Bedtime stories are my favourite!