Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Unraveled Wednesday: 10/12/22

I'm happy to join Kat and fellow Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday, with some slightly unexpected knitting. I wasn't planning on knitting another sweater, but I have Sarah to thank for her inspiration. She knit this sweet Newborn Vertebrae sweater and I started wondering if this pattern was available in an adult size. It is, but I decided that it wouldn't look nearly as cute on me as it does on a baby. But this also got me thinking seriously about knitting another sweater. I have a lot of yarn left over from my Antler cardigan so after a little bit of searching on Ravelry I came up with a pattern that I think might be ideal. I knew I wanted a cardigan, and I hardly ever button them, so Cloud Cover (Ravelry link) works with my yarn weight and I can button it or not.



I was full-on inspired, so of course, I didn't take time to swatch. I just started knitting, and after 18 rows I was getting into the rhythm and understanding the pattern. The fabric felt a little stiff to me, so I did take the time to check my gauge at this point and I had too many stitches/inch. Not a lot, so I unraveled, went up a needle size, got gauge, and I'm much happier with the fabric. I'm knitting back to where I unraveled and beyond, and who knows? I just might have another sweater this winter. 

It doesn't look like much now, but it is a 24-row start on a sweater. 

I'm listening to the audiobook of Wolf Hall and this is ideal for sweater knitting. I did get an advance reader's copy of Signal Fires so I had to take a short hiatus to read it. It was so immersive that I finished it in two sittings. Dani Shapiro has written the story of two families, the Wilfs and the Shenkmans, with their interconnected births, deaths, losses, and recoveries. There is an accident at the beginning of the book, but after that, the plot takes a back seat to the well-developed characters in this character-driven novel. The author has written many books about family secrets and she is clearly the person to write this story about what happens when tragedy and its repercussions aren't acknowledged. A non-linear timeline often confuses and irritates me, but it is just perfect here as we are treated to moments in 2010, 1999, 2020, 2014, and 1970. I know this will be one of my favorite books of 2022, as I keep thinking about the characters (especially Waldo).

"The stars, rather than appearing distant and implacable, seemed to be signal fires in the dark, mysterious fellow travelers lighting a path; one hundred thousand million luminous presences beckoning from worlds away. See us. We are here. We have always been here. We will always be here."

The book was published yesterday so I would encourage you to place a hold at your library if it sounds like something you might be interested in. It was a stellar five-star book for me. 

What are you making and reading this week?

10 comments:

  1. Cloud Cover looks like an interesting pattern.

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  2. You have to grab inspiration wherever it comes from, right? Cloud Cover seems a lovely, yet practical, sweater. I put Signal Fires on my WTR list as soon as I read your review on GR. My very long request list at the library does not seem to be moving at all, however. I am reading Such Big Dreams, and I am enjoying it

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  3. Wow! another sweater!! Go You! You might just inspire me - ha! I do like the pattern you have chosen. Cloud Cover just looks so comfortable. Signal Fires looks very good. I'm off to see if I can put in a request with my library.

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  4. I love Heidi Kirrmaier's patterns -- and Cloud Cover looks like a wonderful cardigan. I think it will be interesting to knit, and great to wear. Love the color, too. (Follow your muse, I always say!) I cannot WAIT to read Signal Fires. I really love Dani Shapiro, and this new one looks like a great read.

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  5. I really love Heidi K's designs and I am wondering how I missed Cloud Cover! It looks like the perfect sweater to wear! (and smart you for swatching as you knit!)

    I am also intrigued by Shapiro's new book. I am heading to my library website to see if I can place a hold!

    Thank you!

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  6. I'm happy I inspired you to knit yourself another sweater! The pattern you've chosen looks very cozy and easy to wear. I'm glad to hear your review of Signal Fires. I entered a couple of Goodreads contests to win a copy but didn't get chosen, so I'll keep my eye out for it at the library.

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  7. so excited that you are knitting another sweater!! Look out, it's addictive :)

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  8. I think that sweater will be fantastic for you and it's nice to see you inspired by it! Thanks for the recommendation on the new Dani Shapiro, I will be placing a hold on it.

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  9. Cloud Cover looks like a great cardigan that is easy to wear. Signal Fires is on my ever growing TBR list and I look forward to reading it!

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    1. I really loved Signal Fires so I hope you can get your hands on a copy soon. Another sweater wasn't really on my radar, but I figured I knit one sweater so I could certainly knit another one. I'll be lucky if I can finish this one this winter but it certainly won't get knit if I don't at least start!

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