Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The Opposite of Unraveled

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday.


This week I'll spare you yet another photo of my unfinished hitchhiker, and instead show you the pair of fingerless mitts I just cast on to replace my errant ones. I've just barely started but I firmly believe that with a new pair on the needles, the old misplaced ones will show up sooner. I like the yarn and the pattern, and even I (the slowest knitter in the world) should be able to finish these soon(ish). 


While I was digging through the stash I also found the yarn I had set aside for a cowl for Justin. He works outside in upstate NY, so I thought a nice warm alpaca cowl is just what he needs. He may be hesitant at first, but the pattern is called Just Try It ... which is what I'll tell him if he seems skeptical. Both the mitts and the cowl are easy, round and round knitting, just what is called for during some rushed Thanksgiving preparations and a relaxing not-shopping day on Friday.

I finished A Stash of One's Own last week and quite enjoyed it. Like any collection, there were some authors that I enjoyed more than others, and highly recommend Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's eloquent piece and Franklin Habit's poignant essay. I started listening to The Golden Compass because I want to read The Book of Dust prequel. I think I read the trilogy with Ryan when he was about ten, and that was 17 years ago, far too long ago for me to remember much of the story, so a re-read is in order. I also began Promise Me, Dad, made even more heartrending because Joe Biden narrates it himself. 

What are you making and reading while your pies bake?

14 comments:

  1. You're certainly on your way with a few good knitting projects!

    I follow Franklin in Facebook and Instagram, and he is great. Plus he often posts pictures of his dog Roz (he made her a Wonder Woman sweater!), and she is adorable.

    Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  2. beautiful mitts and I love the color immensely :) They would go with my wardrobe, hint hint hint.

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  3. I have only 4 rows before the cast off row on my niece's cowl...the end is in sight! Then I'm moving on to fingerless mitts, dishcloths, & hats. I'm reading and enjoying Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. I'm on my way to my sister's this morning to help her prep the stuffing and other dishes for tomorrow, then back home to bake my pies this afternoon. Happy Thanksgiving, Bonny!

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  4. So glad you've cast on for some new mitts! I'll bet the old ones show up just as you're about to cast off. . . Whenever I make cowls for the men in my life, I always have to convince them to "just try it." Men! I, too, have been considering re-reading the Golden Compass series . . . because it's been a very long time since I read it.

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  5. The big selling point for cowls -- whether for a man or woman -- is that there are no dangling ends to deal with and/or get in the way! Maybe it needs to be called something else... a "circular scarf," perhaps. ;) A knitted kitten is underway, as is make-ahead gravy!

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  6. Ooh, I think you need to choose a different yarn for Justin's cowl and keep that one for yourself. It would look fantastic with your new mitts! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. I like the looks of both of those projects too! I've also still got Knitlandia hanging around and needing to be read. Good news...found those sunglasses...your mitts are bound to show!

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  8. Great projects and I do love that yarn bowl!

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  9. Good choice for knitted gifts especially for a cold climate! I confess to looking forward to blue hitchhiker photos, but mostly because I'm partial to blue. :) So glad you're knitting for yourself!

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  10. Still knitting the same garter stitch coat, but lately I have been very challenged to find time to knit. Just finished a Sharon Bolton book (Daisy in Chains) which was enjoyable, just started the Book of Dust. The Golden Compass series was one of my favorite series, and I actually thought it was pretty advanced, plot-wise, for children. I will be sure to let you know how I like it since you are interested. I hope to have reading/knitting time after Thanksgiving.
    Your mitts and cowl are great yarn! I am a green girl much more than a blue girl. I like Vicki's idea of presenting it as a circular scarf so the ends don't get in his way. Men! Often the name of something derails it before you can get them to "just try it".

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    1. I think this is a very challenging time of year to find any spare time to knit or read! I hope to spend lots of time doing both on Friday, and hope you get to do the same. I remember talking about The Golden Compass series with my oldest son when we read it together because there were a lot of things he didn't understand, so I also think it's fairly advanced for children. I've been trying to think of some sort of "manly" name to call Justin's cowl when I give it to him. I haven't come up with it yet, but maybe a glass of wine and some peaceful knitting on Thanksgiving Eve will help.

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  11. Those look like very good stay-at-home Friday projects. I'm staying home too. I am reading two books at once - not the best idea but it happens. I am still reading My Day by E. Roosevelt. If I get too sleepy I read The Garden Party, a new edition of a short story collection by Katherine Mansfield. I also have some poetry on my coffee table. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  12. You have a great group of projects going ... I now have just one sweater, and it's kind of a pay-attention knit. Need to start something that I can pick up and put down. Thanks for the tip about Joe Biden's book - I think that would be a great listen!

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  13. Making is only occurring in the kitchen right now. But, I am hoping that this afternoon that changes! Happy Thanksgiving, Bonny!

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