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!
Oooh, gorgeous alpaca yarn! It’s such a lovely yarn to use and the hat you are making is so cute! I’m going to check out the Mysterious Benedict Society book you mentioned. My son might really enjoy reading that 🙂 Happy knitting!
The Mysterious Benedict Society has been in my to be read pile for a while, maybe this will be the year for it! The yarn looks beautiful.
wonderful books, great knitting x
I love childrens novels too, and I’m also guilty of loving the ‘start’ of a project much more than the completion…mainly because I so rarely get to completion. If that actually happens I do love completion more, but you’d never know it!
That yarn is so pretty! We love the Mysterious Benedict Society here, too!
That’s pretty yarn!
I read many picture books as a young child, but somehow, when I got a bit older, I missed out on all the classics of childhood. It is good having the chance to read them aloud to my kids.
I am so glad you suggested The Mysterious Benedict Society. I have thumbed through and always put it back down. I love kids mysteries but thought I should wait for my kids to be old enough. But why right? Can’t wait to see the hat when finished!
Oh, that yarn looks lovely! I know that feeling of being scared to start something with some really great wool, and I usually end up with a hat too!! For some reason they are just easier to finish!
I completely know what you mean about having a tough time finishing projects. It was my new years resolution. I’m a sucker for alpaca, though. I don’t blame you for casting that on!
Beautiful, beautiful yarn! Good for you for keeping it for yourself!!!
Alpaca yarn is so soft and beautiful.
Look forward to seeing your completed hat:)
I don’t think you can consider yourself a knitter unless you have several projects on the go at once. We’ve been wanting to read the real Mary Poppins for awhile now too, (my husband says it’s very different than the movie).
xo maureen
I am excited to hear that it is different than the movie! – I never like that in a book I have already loved but in this case it will nice to have some surprises.
I love the tweedy grayness of the yarn 🙂
Rachel, I’m so jealous of your camera!! And your camera skills of course!
I’ve always thought of kid’s books as just very cheap therapy. They’re renewing in a way that most adult literature just can’t touch.
I really like that yarn color and texture. It looks so soft. I just want to grab a big ole handful of it!
gorgeous alpaca and good for you knitting for yourself, always rewarding 🙂 Great books on deck!
my son has read the first 2 Mysterious Benedict Society books and loved them! We’ve got the third but he’s taking a little break (he’s 9 and while his reading level is above average these do stretch him a little).
glad I found your blog!
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