Now that my favorite mitts have turned up, I was happy to do a little unraveling for Unraveled Wednesday. I was only halfway into the ribbing on these replacement mitts and there are too many other projects calling, "Knit me! Knit me!", so a spare pair can wait.
I've been plugging away on my gradient Hitchhiker. Last night John asked if there was something wrong with the dyeing and I explained that it was a gradient and meant to look like that. He just shrugged and said he like the dark blue, but not the color change. Good thing I'm not knitting it for him!
I'm putting this photo here as motivation for myself to get going on these mitts for Ryan. I did finally talk to him about how long he wanted them, but I've worked on them very little since then (and I do want to finish them in time for Christmas). Next week I hope to be showing you a photo of a completed pair of mitts. (Feel free to place your bets!)
I finished Promise Me, Dad last week, and while it gave me interesting insights into Joe Biden as a person and politician, his grief was sometimes almost too much to listen to. He has led an extraordinary life, filled with tragedy, profound grief, and triumph, but has still maintained his humanity and hope. In the book, Biden cites Immanuel Kant's "Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for", and he is working hard in numerous ways to make sure that he has those things in his life. I'm still listening to The Golden Compass, and it's full of much more excitement and adventure than I had remembered.
What are you making and reading?
I still love those striped mitts so much! I bet you'll be really glad when that gradient hitchhiker is finished
ReplyDeleteYes, get on those mitts, Bonny! You can whip them out in no time! How's that for encouragement? I have not been knitting much at all. I keep thinking that I will find the time, but I don't. I did finish Dust. I have read a lot of criticism of this book as compared to the Golden Compass, and while I understand the criticism, I also think that this story is much simpler in scope and shouldn't be compared so mercilessly. I rank the Golden Compass series as one of my most loved reads, so I didn't expect this would be as captivating. I enjoyed it, I am glad I read it, and I recommend it for those who enjoyed the Golden Compass. I loved reading about the deamons again! I wish I had a deamon. Oh yeah, I do, his name is Jake, and he is a shih tzu, but he never whispers in my ear, he just stays really close! Anyway, Dust is not as magical as the Golden Compass, but I liked it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the motivation! This is exactly what I need, and I'll be repeating your words of encouragement to myself this week. Thanks also for your thoughts on Dust. I've felt the same way about daemons, and understand poor Iofur's obsession and carrying around his stuffed doll daemeon. So even if Dust isn't as magical as Golden Compass, I still welcome the chance to read more about daemons. Thank you!
DeleteI love the mitts!! keep going :) As for your gradient, I love the gradual shift in blues. So subtle. I hope you are keeping that one for yourself.
ReplyDeleteYour hitchhiker is looking great Bonny! Having made a shawl with a gradient yarn, I can say I really love the end product, but I didn't enjoy the knitting so much. not sure I would pick a gradient again.
ReplyDeleteThe mitts for Ryan are great! Fun colors and you will have them done in no time...because we are all whispering (or shouting) in your ear to get 'em done - LOL. On the flip side, it isn't December yet...so you've got more than enough time!
I really like the subtle color changes in your Hitchhiker! I finished my niece's shawl last week and the only thing left to do is block it. I've moved on to a pair of fingerless mitts and they are moving right along. I'm kinda in a reading slump right now, nothing seems to hold my interest. The best thing I'm reading right now is a collection of Christmas essays from the New Yorker.
ReplyDeleteI've had those "Rules for Happiness" posted within sight for a long, long time!
ReplyDeleteThat Hitchhiker is really going to be changing now! Good luck with those mitts, Bonny; YOU CAN DO IT!
I love the playfulness of those striped mitts. They'll be so much fun to wear. And your Hitchhiker... you've made so much progress and you're finally able to see the color changes. It's going to be beautiful when it's done.
ReplyDeleteMaybe John will like Hitchhiker once he sees it fished, but it is a good thing you're not knitting it for him. I love it! I am also reading The Golden Compass (for the first time) and I'm enjoying it very much.
ReplyDeleteSo I've been meaning to ask you about those square dpns...are they great? Your knitting is great!
ReplyDeleteHusbands! Sometimes they just don't get knitting. At least mine doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI don't plan to read Biden's book. I know I'd just put it down when it came to the sad parts. That man has experienced an awful lot of loss in his life.
LOVE the gradient! I'm not always a fan of the rapid-change gradients I see, so I really like the subtle, gradual changes in your Hitchhiker. And those striped mitts are AWESOME. Ryan will love them, I'm sure. I'm on the Overdrive wait list for The Golden Compass. . . I'm eager to read it again after all those years. XO
ReplyDeleteYou have me wanting to read Joe Biden's book. I admire him.
ReplyDeleteNot reading anything but blogs. I've been writing though. Writing thankyou s for theBarn that I volunteer at.
Knitting on my vest some more tonight
Good thing that hitchhiker is for you, for sure. Biden's book sounds interesting. Thanks for mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteI have Biden's book on my list! Thanks for your great review! AND, I love the gradient hitchhiker!
ReplyDeleteCan we talk about the lovely collection of quilts that you use for photo backgrounds?! I'm glad the hitchhiker and Ryan's mitts are back to the front of the line - nothing like color changes to keep a knitter motivated! (and gah, how did I get so far behind on reading blogs?!)
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