I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday, with a little more progress on the body of my Antler cardigan. I've got about 16 inches knit so far, so only three more inches before I join the sleeves and the body for the yoke. Exciting times!
Because I'm a fickle knitter and mainly because my kids are more important than selfishly knitting socks for myself, I've abandoned the Christmas socks from last week to work on a couple of hats. I cast on Bankhead (Ravelry link) yesterday, and I hope to finish this hat in a few days and cast on another one. The boys have both said they don't really need me to knit anything for them, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas to me unless I make something for them. Almost everyone can use another hat.
But first, I had a little unraveling to do. About five years ago, Ryan wanted me to teach him how to knit. I cast on, showed him the knit stitch, and handed the yarn and needles over to him. He was imagining a relaxing experience, but after giving it a good try, it turned out that knitting just made him more anxious. He decided that knitting wasn't for him, and since the yarn was some nice Madeline Tosh Vintage in Tart, he told me to go ahead and unravel it. I felt a little bit bad, so before I unraveled, I preserved his attempt at knitting with a photo for posterity.
Now the yarn looks like this. This week, I only finished one book, Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King. I had looked forward to this collection of short stories for a long time, but I found it to be just average. Too many of these stories made me feel like I had come in during the middle of a conversation, without much context or introduction, and I spent more time than I liked trying to figure out what was going on. And once I did, the story was over too soon, often without a resolution. I gave it three stars, but I didn't like it nearly as much as the last King novel I read, Writers and Lovers.
What are you making and reading this week?
Gosh your Antler Sweater is looking great Bonny. You are making progress!! Thanks for the link to Bankhead - looks like a very cute hat, so I've added the pattern to my library. I'm guessing Colin won't need a wool hat in Austin, but he might like one anyway (next year...not this...LOL).
ReplyDeletelovely hat pattern (which I favorited, thank you!) and a gorgeous rich red to knit with!! I taught our son to knit and he was VERY good at it!
ReplyDeleteI wish that my first foray into knitting looked that good! It did not. Ryan had great tension for a novice. And I love the color Tart. I have some of that in my stash somewhere. Your sweater is looking great, Bonny. I have been slowly working on Wish You Were Here, but I have a lot going on, so reading time is very limited. BTW, I have been wondering - how many more trips back and forth to MD?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to repurpose that Tart yarn while still capturing the memories of Ryan's foray into knitting. (I think it takes a lot of practice before it becomes "relaxing.") I picked up and abandoned Five Tuesdays in Winter, feeling much like you did . . . (Short stories can be SO good. Or so . . . not.)
ReplyDeleteYour sweater is looking great! I am on the waitlist for Five Tuesdays, but after reading your thoughts and Kym's comment... I think I will give that book a pass right now.
ReplyDeleteYou have made some amazing progress on your Antler!
ReplyDeleteRyan may not have taken to knitting, but he certainly did a good job! Maybe someday he'll decide to give it another go, but in the meantime I'm glad you've reclaimed that beautiful yarn.
Your complaint about the story collection is why I usually don't read short stories. I very often find them to be unfulfilling.
Your sweater is going to be lovely. Beautiful color. Thanks for linking to Bankhead — I can always use another simple worsted hat pattern.
ReplyDeleteAnd MORE shed antlers for the antler sweater! Love it! And the color of that Tosh is gorgeous, I am glad you repurposed it after taking the photo for posterity.
ReplyDeleteI always tell people that knitting can be very relaxing, but LEARNING to knit is definitely NOT RELAXING! That's such a gorgeous color!
ReplyDeleteYour sweater is going to be beautiful! I'm finishing up The Shift cowl for a gift for my niece...no pictures until after I see her in January! I finished reading Still Life last night and I can't put into words how much I loved that book. I'm currently reading a collection of Christmas mysteries, I need something light that I can dip into during the holiday season and this fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie! I may slow down on the sweater while I knit some Christmas hats, but I'm beginning to think I might actually finish it this winter. Since both you and Kym have recommended Still Life so highly, I've got it all ready to go after I finish The Lincoln Highway and The Sentence. so many good books!
DeleteThat red yarn is pretty special! How nice it should come sort of full circle. I can’t wait to see you modeling that sweater!
ReplyDeleteThat sweater body is so pretty. You are making good progress. I think hats are always welcome. The deep red is such a rich color and Bankhead is a tried and true pattern. Enjoy.
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