Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Unraveled Wednesday: 7/3/24

I'm happy to join Kat and the Unravelers today with some potholder weaving! Kat is taking a break so I don't think we'll have an official linkup, but it's Wednesday so I'm here with some making and reading. I unpacked my potholder loom and since it comes with enough assorted rainbow loops to make two potholders, I used some of them first to make a random cheerful potholder.

I didn't take it off the loom until Tuesday morning because I wanted to look at it in the morning light to make sure it was a pleasing color arrangement. I decided it was, so after employing my trusty crochet hook, voilĂ , I had a potholder.

Front

Back

The front and back of this one both look the same but I hope to weave some patterns in the future where the front and back look different. I was quite happy with my first potholder so I started a second one in kind of a dark rainbow theme.


You might have noticed the fork in the photo above. I've been doing my weaving at the kitchen table and I found that my fork makes a perfect pusher-downer (or whatever the technical weaving term is) for the weft loops. I am really having fun! :-)


I finished two books this week. The first one, Knife by Salman Rushdie, was a very powerful memoir. I haven't read any of Salman Rushdie's previous writing but was curious what he might have to say about the horrendous experience of being attacked by an assailant with a knife in Chautauqua in August of 2022. Words are largely inadequate for situations like these, but in Knife Rushdie has shown that his ability to write rises well above. He describes the knife attack, meeting it with an almost eerie sense of calm as he has been living with the fatwa for 35 years, and his grueling recovery in intensive care, rehab., and life afterward.

 Rushdie has written an honest and visceral account of his physical recovery but also the very real damage that was done to his mental well-being and what he has gone through to not become a bitter victim. One of the things I appreciated most about this memoir was the intelligence, plain-spokenness, and even humor that was evident in his writing.

I tend to think (possibly mistakenly) that things are easier for famous people, so I was surprised to read about instances where this is not necessarily true. Rushdie said that he accepted the speaking engagement at the Chautauqua Institution in large part because the fee would pay for a new air conditioning system in his home. He suffers several iatrogenic (illness caused by medical treatment) issues with blood pressure medications that were not discontinued when he was discharged, along with the usual pain and frustration caused by doctors and medical appointments.

I don't know how I might feel about Rushdie's fiction, but the weakest part of this memoir was the long section where he imagined a conversation with his attacker. While I did understand this part (I've had many imaginary conversations in the shower with people who disagreed with me), I don't think this section fits into the book very well. But the rest of the book clearly shows a man who has a great ability to write, what that ability has cost him, and how he has managed to recover and continue to live a happy life. This was four stars for me.

“Without art, our ability to think, to see freshly, and to renew our world would wither and die.”

The second book, Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy, was one Kym recommended last week. Are you wondering what to read when the Supreme Court is making egregious decisions, politics has sharply divided us, wars are raging, and you can't face one more bit of we're-going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket news? Sipsworth might fill the bill. It's a charming story about Helen Cartwright who has lost both her husband and son. The story consists of Helen's sad and lonely daily habits until one night while picking through her neighbor's trash, she brings home an aquarium, a deep sea diver toy that reminds her of her son, and inadvertently, a mouse. Because no woman is an island and we all need something to care about, Helen becomes the mouse's protector and caretaker. She names him Sipsworth and her connection to him leads her to be open to new connections.

This book felt much like A Man Called Ove but it didn't hold quite the same meaningful possibilities. It's still deserving of 3.5 stars rounded up as a welcome respite from the news.

What are you making and reading this week?

15 comments:

  1. Your potholders sure are cheerful and bright! The second one (dark rainbow) reminds me of Sarah's recent beanie hats. I really like these Bonny. I don't think I will read "Knife," but I am in the queue for "Sipsworth." I finished "Maud's Line" last night and enjoyed it a lot (4 stars from me). New shortie socks have been started and I am plugging away on my Shakerag Skirt.

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  2. I *think* the pusher-downer thing is called a beater, but don't quote me on that! It's clear that you're enjoying your foray into potholder weaving, and I'm enjoying seeing what you make. I can't imagine how to make one that looks different on the two sides, so I'll look forward to seeing how that happens.

    Sipsworth sounds delightful! I'll have to bookmark that one for when I need something light and frothy. I'm chipping away at A Suitable Boy (almost to page 600!) and started a Netgalley ARC this week.

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  3. What great potholders, Bonny! I'm so glad you've found a pleasing diversion to help you through a truly horrendous week of news. I felt the same way you did about both Knife and Sipsworth. (That imagined conversation with his attacker was really just too long . . . but it did make a great point about how we deal with "aftermaths," and Sipsworth is a bit twee . . . but maybe just what we need right now.) Here's to . . . getting through this mess. XO

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  4. Look at you go! I made one like your first one and now I want to make one with black loops, too! I think I might actually make one today, in fact!

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  5. Those are SOME potholders, Bonny! And I love your ingenious use of a fork! I want to read Knife, but I think that might be a good fall book for me, but Sipsworth! Well, I might need that now! Thank you for sharing!

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  6. wow!! They look so pretty and I love the color blocking you are doing.

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  7. You've convinced me that I need to get The Mister the pro sized loom now. We only have the little one and I really, really need some big potholders now that I see yours. It's spectacular!

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    1. I am thrilled with the pro sized loom I bought. They call it a 10" loom and it has 27x27 pegs. I haven't washed and dried it yet, but the potholder I wove is 8.25" square. Here's a link: https://friendlyloom.com/products/10-potholder-pro-loom-pro-size (and you'll also need pro-sized loops).

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  8. Ah, the "pusher downer" is called a "beater" - and a fork is a perfect beater. In fact, some beaters are called "tapestry forks." I use the crochet hook to beat after each row... but I did this so much that I broke the plastic crochet hook that came with the kit. I replaced it with a metal one of the same size, and it's been fine ever since.

    Your work looks great! I find so much creative joy in making potholders and even more joy in giving them away. I often ask people what their favorite colors are and then use that to prompt a design. It takes me in so many directions I would not go on my own. HAVE FUN!!!

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  9. Your potholders look great! The ones my sister made for me come out of the washer and drier looking as good as new! I am on the library hold list for Sipsworth and look forward to reading it soon!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! Things are quite nice in my world during the hour I spend weaving a potholder, and Sipsworth was a very pleasant read. We could all use more things that are pleasant!

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  10. I am so glad you are enjoying making potholders, Bonny. They are colorful and cheerful, and I am sure Ryan would happily receive them. I made a couple of 8 inch potholders, then quit and went back to making smaller ones. I have small hands, and I find the smaller ones are easier for me to use in removing pots from the oven without landing the potholder in the dish. Now, I am clumsy, so there is that! But the larger ones made excellent hot pads for me, so they are being used. As to the news, I find I am limiting it to a few minutes every day, no matter what the headlines say. Most of it is speculation, I am powerless in this situation, it is very distressing, and I have decided that I do not need to add to my stress beyond what is necessary. When something definitive happens, I will read all about it, and then try to personally deal with it. I am at a stage in my life where what happens affects me much less than so many others, but I do worry about the young and hope they step up to protect their futures. As my husband always said, he and I got a "nice slice" of life and I am so grateful that he is still in my head to remind me of that.

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  11. Look at those happy potholders. They will brighten up a kitchen. After reading your review and someone else's, I am considering Knife. I do like a good memoir and admire the man, although like you I haven't read any of his other writing. Your question "Are you wondering what to read as the Supreme Court, etc. . . ." hits the nail on the head. When one thinks about these things, it is depressing and frustrating. Sipsworth is available to me via Hoopla and I started listening. I do wonder if I might rather read a hard copy.
    I'm knitting one more pumpkin baby hat and then in spite of all the WIPS, think I need a new cast-on to jump start my knitting mojo. It's in rather short supply.

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  12. While my reading mojo is very much on hiatus, I do so enjoy your reviews!! Your potholders are beautiful! I haven't made one in ages, but I gave a kit to the kids a few years ago -- maybe I can borrow it. ;)

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  13. While my reading is very much on hiatus, I do so enjoy your book reviews, Bonny! Thanks!! I love your beautiful potholders. I haven't made one myself in ages, but I gave the kids a kit a few years ago -- maybe I can borrow it. :)

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