As much as I’d like to write that after a week of concentrated effort I finished my Shalom I won’t, because I didn’t. In what perhaps may not surprise those of you who know me better, I got distracted. In fact even as I was photographing the sweater last week I stuck it with some lovely yellow cotton I’d dug up from my stash (complements of my mother-in-laws stash).

I couldn’t get past the yellow. Not even the cotton could dissuade me from casting on.

See what I mean?

So I took a little detour with a puerperium. I love this pattern and have been planning a third (after first and second) for some time. It is simple and beautiful and a perfect first sweater for newbie knitters.

In my reckless haste I threw aside the wisdom of gauge and swatching, and knit like crazy. Halfway through the first sleeve I feared I was running out of yarn so I frogged the sleeve and turned it into a t-shirt.

A large t-shirt.

Now I have a blocking sweater, which thanks to the cotton yarn, has grown even more. It is hardly newborn sized and I suspect it would fit a two year old sooner than a newborn. Oh geez.

While that dries I’m picking up my friendly shalom again and hoping to finish those last couple rows of the body.

And maybe next week I’ll have some real progress to show you. Or perhaps another puerperium.

As for my book, Death Comes to Pemberley, I’m enjoying it more every day. It’s perhaps not as gripping as a typical PD James novel but it does settle in as a plausible Jane Austen so I’m sticking with it. And as Jen put it, I was tickled pink when other Jane Austen characters popped in for a mention.

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adding my two cents to the Shannon’s Summer Sweater KAL at luvinthemommyhood

and joining Ginny for yarn along at Small Things

A few weeks ago I steeled myself against hesitation and resolved to cast on a sweater in my size.

Last summer when the lovely Shannon of luvinthemommyhood introduced a Summer Sweater KAL (knit-a-long) I signed up full of assurance that I would have plenty of time to knit a sweater for me. Somewhere between preserving several hundred pounds of produce, knitting three child-sized sweaters (here, here, and here), and giving birth (that small thing) I realized it wasn’t going to happen.

When Shannon returned with the KAL this summer I shook my head. I knew it was not the right time to start a big project.

So…imagine my surprise when I found myself casting on a Shalom with the Cascade Eco I’d purchased for last year’s intended sweater. Even more surprising because I’ve always been on the fence about this pattern. So many talented knitters have displayed this sweater but I’ve been unsure. Some I’ve loved, others…well, I just haven’t.

I’m so glad I gave it another look. I realized I much prefer it knit with sleeves and extra buttons – a simple fix. And how serendipitous in this season where I’ve been seeking a place of Shalom to find one growing in my hands.

It’s been a nice quiet knit. Not perplexing, although I did get my obligatory pattern reading flub out of the way. I checked other knitters’ notes on the pattern (see my related bookmarks with my ravelry notes) and decided to follow Soulemama’s modifications.

Based on my previous (and limited) experience knitting sweaters for children it feels like I’m knitting this one for an elephant but thanks to the beauty of top down knitting so far it seems to fit. The chunky weight of the Eco wool makes the knitting nice and quick – a serious bonus these days.

And since it’s yarn along day after all, I have a book to share. While I’ve been knitting I’ve been reading Death Comes to Pemberley. I have mixed emotions about this continuation of sorts to Pride and Prejudice. I’ve certainly enjoyed the venerable PD James‘ writing in the past but a murder mystery surrounding my favourite classic novel? I hesitate. I’ve only just read a few chapters so I’ve yet to make an true opinion, so far I’m simply having a hard time fitting my beloved characters into these new pages. Have any of you read it?

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Find Shannon’s KAL posts at luvinthemommyhood

And yarn along with Ginny at Small Things

I haven’t posted a yarn along in quite a few weeks simply because I haven’t been knitting. With so much going on there just hasn’t been a chance. But I keep thinking about knitting. Thinking about a project to begin as soon as I have a moment to cast-on.

Today I finally snuck into the yet unpacked bins sweetly labelled, “Mommy’s Wool” searching for the right shade for Mira. She needs a sweater for our cool mornings and evenings. This rich and rosy pink, Quince and Co’s Chickadee in Pomegranate, is one of my favourite colours on her. I’m hoping I may have enough yardage for a Baby Vertebrae…If I don’t I’ll have to decide what I want to work with more – the wool or the pattern. Either way I need to squeeze in a little knitting time – my sanity begs it.

I have found some time to enjoy our recent sunny days with a book in hand. I’m nearly done  reading The House at Riverton…so nearly done that I had to forcibly put it down so dinner and bedtime would not be left completely in Dan’s hands. I’ve enjoyed all of Kate Morton‘s books. She unwraps her stories beautifully with increasing suspense and mystery avoiding the gore and violence of many other mysteries. The story has moved a little slowly but I think my current popcorn style of reading added to that. And of course the long build up only adds to the final suspense. Call me unimaginative but I have to admit I couldn’t help picturing Downton Abbey characters as I was reading – not bad, but confusing.

The big girls and I have been reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM along with Annie‘s Read Aloud Book Along. It is a great story. Every evening we’re eager to read on. We’re already to hear the next title Annie chooses!

p.s. Thanks for the kind words and prayers regarding yesterday’s post. I am healing up quickly and well. Feeling thankful and blessed. 

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joining Ginny for yarn along

Last week I missed the yarn along party – knitting was not happening with all the crazy busyness around here. I’ve picked it up a bit this week, hoping to finish the birthday sweater. The birthday long since past but the boy still eager for his sweater I think it’s time I knit those last couple inches of sleeve and worked up that collar. Cast off and finish (all those) ends and I’m done.

And now I’m thinking of easy peasy knitting. A simple project to grab as we head out the door to the new house, pick up while helping with math problems, and work at while I unwind before bed. There are many babies getting ready to make entrances through our circle of friends so I’m thinking something for baby. An owlie sack? Another puerperium? Anyone have a suggestion for me?

And of course with wool from my stash. I knew there was a reason I’ve resisted packing it up.

While my mind has been flying a million miles an hour I’ve been craving comfort. Comfort reads, and comfort foods. The chocolate chip cookies were an experiment, a recipe claiming the title of world’s best but needing some tweaking. Too sweet, (believe it or not) too much chocolate, but comforting with a wide glass of cold milk nonetheless (wide enough for dipping, that is).

The reading has been Roald Dahl with the two big girls and Alexander McCall Smith in my stolen quiet moments. The Magic Finger was a quick read, not my favourite of his books (it was quite mild by his standards) but the girls really enjoyed it. As for me I relished The Double Comfort Safari Club. I like his words: they’re gentle, well chosen, and beautiful. McCall Smith’s books don’t challenge me but they are smart and full of love – particularly The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. His characters are sculpted so well I could forget they are made of words. His love of Botswana makes me ache to see it with my own eyes. Comfort food for my soul.

And as I set up my photo with books, wool, and snacks, thinking of comfort reads and comfort foods I wasn’t even thinking of the title of my comfort read. How silly of me, how apropos.

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joining Ginny for yarn along

As usual I’ve set myself a tall order (and looming deadline) for an upcoming birthday. Our little guy turns three later this week (*sigh*gasp*sob*) but I am not ready with gifts, and certainly not for another child the leave the wonders of toddlerhood. But sentimental gushing aside, I am knitting away wondering if there may be a chance to finish something, anything in time.

The striped raglan I started last week for him (like I knit for him last year) has been coming along quite nicely and rather quickly. I’m reminded that it’s not the body of these things that slow me down but the sleeves. So while I still have a little ways to go on the body, I may start onto the sleeves first. I’m hoping that way I can fly through the rest of the body without the looming sleeve disease mocking me from those darn scrap yarn stitch holders.

As for the other unfinished gift…remember this guy? He’s still in the same state he was then. I think I’m admitting defeat to him for the time being.

I haven’t picked up many books for myself this week but bedtime always offers plenty of opportunities to snuggle up with a book. Tonight Sarah and Simon chose Home for a Bunny for their story and I smiled. How perfect for this time. The bunny is searching for a home, a home of his own. It’s not with the robins, the frog, or the groundhog. Then he meets a bunny who invites him in.

And that was his home.

How I love the courage that comes my way – from a wise daughter; from a children’s book; from dear, kind friends (in person and in this space) who share our joy and excitement. Thank you.

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joining Ginny‘s love of books and yarn with yarn along