You know what I haven’t done in too long? Written about knitting. Okay, I haven’t written here about much in the last few months. I’ve missed it and spinning a yarn tale is no exception.

This week I’ve cast off (in the “I’m too sick of this knit to continue” sense) the unfinishables which are crowding my knitting bag and began fresh. With another of Shannon‘s rocking knit alongs about to begin I’d been planning my escape from knitting doldrums (dare I suggest such a place exists?).

I have long been in love with this Carina Spencer design but in the end I couldn’t gather the  courage or the appropriate member of my stash to cast on. But I found myself in much happier company as I suddenly realized that the perfect knit was right under my nose: The Downton Cowl. Perfectly suited for the Downton Abbey knit along, designed beautifully by Shannon herself, and in the wool I’d been petting most recently in my stash.

I cast on while the thrilling opening credits played on Sunday evening. I had no trouble following the lace pattern but it was not in the least dull. I’m loving it. And the tosh vintage is nothing short of marvellous.

Just the thing to sweep me out of the frustration of knitting blues.

When I’ve been picking up a book lately, I’ve been reading Till We Have Faces by C.S.Lewis. I bought it while I was in college and hadn’t read it since. I’m enjoying it although not quite sure what to say about it. Perhaps it is a little slower moving than I’d like it to be. Perhaps I’m still on the high of my last read(s)…

::Warning: Serious Nerd Alert::

I finished my return journey through the Lord of the Rings trilogy over the holidays and I cannot tell you enough how much I think you should read it. Haven’t read it? Please do. Already read it? Please read them again. I can’t stop geeking out over how much I enjoyed them this third or fourth time through. The characters, the scenery, the imagery, the adventure. I’ve heard the complaints that they are slow moving – but the complete package is so worth the sluggish chapters.

See why I’m having trouble moving on?

::

And now I must ask – are you working with needles or hook? I love to hear what others are working on! How about new year reads? Anyone got a great food or farm memoir to recommend? I need to fill up my library holds list again.

Thanks for stopping by – Happy Wednesday!

::joining Ginny for yarn along::

The two projects I decided to finish last week made it off needles and on wearers. Blocking…well, not yet, but they were busy being worn.

Finishing those projects means casting on new ones! And in my typical fashion rather than the hat I had planned up next, I’m casting on for a pair of fingerless mitts, based on this pattern. You know, just in the meantime. I’ve knit the pattern a couple times before but this time I’m making a few adjustments – skipping the flaps and leaving the thumbs open.

While I am knitting that Jane Richmond pattern, I will no doubt be dreaming about her new book, Island. I preordered a copy (today’s the last day!) and downloaded the PDFs, then promptly became paralyzed over what to knit first. The scarf…no wait, the hat…but, oh, the cardigan, the cowl, the gloves? Oh you must see them for yourself. Shannon (aka luvinthemommyhood) worked with Jane on the book and put together this great video so you can see them all for yourself.

In stolen snippets this week I’ve been reading The Fellowship of the Ring. This certainly isn’t my first time reading it but I’m loving it even more this (my third or fourth?) time through. I adore how a much loved book from childhood returns to comfort like an old friend.

::

And you, what are you reading or crafting this week?

:: joining Ginny for yarn along::

It’s that time of year when I begin plotting and planning for Christmas gifts, finding the need to be a little more secretive. My needles have been clicking away but I’ve neglected writing about it.

None the less I find myself recently besieged with a list of winter must haves from the kiddos ranging from necessary to indulgent (but far too sweet to ignore).

So of course I’ve gotten all wild with the possibilities as I search through stash and ravelry patterns. Whenever I slip down to the basement in search of a particular wool I find myself sneaking back up stacked with armfuls of other lovelies (because, of course, the one I was looking for was upstairs already).

But before I get too carried away I must come to the completion of this sweet hat. I ran out of the gorgeous malabrigo I was knitting it in (leftover from this recent knit), but my sweet mother-in-law came to the rescue and mailed me another skein from her local shop.

I’ve also guiltily unearthed a sweater I meant to finish in April. Well now it’s cold again and the little boy is quickly outgrowing his favourite sweater. The worst part is that the sweater is done – all but the collar which needs to be torn out and knit again with a looser bind-off.

Once I get those out of the way I’m looking at this pattern for the extremely picky nine-year-old. It’s met her approval – hopefully I’ll get it done before she changes her mind. I imagine everyone else will be lining up for an earflap hat soon after – should keep me busy for a while.

For now my evening has a little more steam left in it. I’m curling up with a stack of library books, and those familiar knitting needles in front of the fire. Thinking perhaps to get to bed a little earlier tonight to fight the sore throat that’s threatening.

How are you keeping needles or hooks warmed up? Have you got a great book on the nightstand? You know how easily I’m distracted…come share!

:: joining Ginny for yarn along::

First off: It’s my birthday. I love birthdays, mine included.

I, also, love writing about knitting on Wednesdays so I can hardly miss today’s yarn party with Ginny.

But there are many children hanging around offering in their best clothes (kinda hilarious as I don’t like dressing up myself) and brushing their hair for me (for real!!) so I’ll have to be brief. Also, there is cheesecake made by Dan last night unguarded in the fridge.

Now that fall has arrived my mind is all abuzz with knitting projects I need to start right away. But I’m trying my best to prioritize with list making and long, distracted stash digging with littles. But before fingerless mitts, winter hats, and warm socks I’m trying to focus…

I have quite a few projects that need finishing – my ravelry work in progress (WIP) list is kinda bugging me. I’ve got two sweaters to block and three needing buttons. This poor sweater needs the collar ripped out and knit much looser so it can fit over the little boy’s noggin. And I promised myself my knotty brass would not fall into neglect…this time.

But of course there is a new project on the needles – top of my priority list – for the little lass. She needs a new sweater so it’s going to be another plain vest. It’s a great pattern and so cute on her. I can’t resist it! And thanks to a woolly gift from my kind inlaws (more on that later – there are other goodies to share) I’m knitting it in some lovely malabrigo. Ooooooh, such nice wool.

For reading these days, I’m spending most of my time with The Hobbit. Admittedly that hasn’t been much time but I’m savouring this long-standing favourite of mine in small snippets.

::

And now I’m off to snag more birthday hugs, relish a little time with my sewing machine, and eat a cheesecake…or at least a piece. 

And what, dear friends, have you been crafting lately?

Sharing my knitting and reading for yarn along.

I’m coming late to this show-and-tell game. We’ve been busy packing up for a trip to Vancouver Island. But amidst the busyness I’ve had a little time with my Shalom this week.

I finished up the bottom edge with a twisted rib border rather than the garter rows of the original pattern. The body complete I was all set to launch onto the sleeves when I discovered I had not the correct size DPNs for the task.

While it slowed me down I was hardly disappointed to tag a yarn store stop onto another errand last week. Alas, the bamboo DPNs were on back order and I wasn’t going to subject my joints to the metal variety. The manger suggested magic loop and I quavered. A friend told me it’s simple and I doubted. The name “magic loop” suggests to my (over)active imagination something mystical requiring deft movements and sleight of hand…hardly accomplishments on my resume.

One YouTube video later and I’d learned the truth. Magic Loop is magically uncomplicated. One long needle (the very one I’d used for the body) was all it required.

I rejoiced, “I’ll be wearing this sweater in no time!” Then I remembered the disappointing truth – I’m not knitting for a child, I’m knitting for my own long armed (some might even say monkey armed) self.

I may be a little while.

And, as predicted, in the midst of needles absences and loopy fears I got distracted again. That last puerperium was such swift fun that I cast on another. With all our driving over the busy long weekend I got through the body without a hitch. Now I’ve got the baby sized sleeves to keep me busy along with my monkey sleeves.

Tomorrow’s drive will give me 15 or so hours in the van. That should allow me a good chunk of sleeve conquering time – between all the snack passing and DJ’ing.

I haven’t made much reading time this week but I did finish my book. I enjoyed it and if you’re a fan of Jane Austen I think you might enjoy it, too. Next up, we’ve got audiobooks on the iPod to keep us busy and I’ve picked up The Hobbit to revisit this favourite during our trip.

::

Are you finishing up needle projects or beginning something new? Are you meticulous about finishing or do you have itchy fingers like me? 

I’m knitting along with Shannon‘s Summer Sweater KAL 

and joining Ginny for yarn along