I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday with the continuation of an old old project and the excitement of a new project that isn't a Hitchhiker. Kat is taking a Necessity of Missing Out break from blogging, but Wednesday is always going to be Unraveled Wednesday to me.
Since Tuesday finally arrived yesterday, I went to The Yarn Attic and found exactly what I was looking for. It's a wonderful shop, and they made me feel welcome but let me browse. John decided to ride along with me, which probably definitely curtailed my browsing, but one of the women working there engaged him in a conversation about all the fishermen that come into the shop looking for "shrimp nymph pink" yarn so they can tie lures with it. I couldn't interest John in any pink yarn, but I got a delicious skein of sparkly black Anzula Lunaris. I've always wanted to knit something with sparkly yarn and I've finally got my chance.
I'm continuing with the old Hitchhiker and while I like it, it is getting increasingly boring. What would relieve some of that boredom? A new project! I will wind the yarn today and cast on for a Hitch on the Move (Ravelry link). The black and blue Black Elephant skein on the left is something that I bought at The Loopy Ewe, probably because it reminded me of coelacanths in Animal Crossing. (I'm easily amused and happen to love those coelacanths.) Hopefully, I'll have something on the new project to show you by next week, but in the meantime, here is what the Forget-Me-Not Hitchhiker looks like. 
I finished Lady Tan's Circle of Women last week and am struggling to complete Birnam Wood. I took a break from Birnam Wood to read Lady Tan since it has a waiting list at the library. This historical fiction is based on a real historical figure that lived in 15th-century China and wrote a book about her career as a physician. In this fictionalized account, Tan Yunxian is born into an elite family, but that fact restricts her life. She has a limited education, an arranged marriage, her feet are bound, and women are valued for their beauty and fertility. Because her mother dies of an infection from her feet being bound, Tan Yunxian is raised by her grandparents, both doctors. She learns healing arts from this situation, especially because male doctors are not allowed to look at or touch female patients. It's a privileged yet confined life, but Tan Yunxian manages to break some of the class and gender restraints to form satisfying relationships and pursue her goals. The historical detail is extensive and adds to this tale of a remarkable woman.
When I returned to Birnam Wood, all I could think about is what a caricature the bad guy seems to be and I keep waiting to get to the non-stop action part. Soon, I hope!
What are you making and reading this week?
So glad you got to the Yarn Attic!! I might need to get Dee to take me there one day. I, too, am knitting on a (somewhat boring) Hitchhiker, but I am reading Hamnet which is wonderful! Your Hitchhiker looks like the color might be changing?
ReplyDeleteLove the forget me not color....but can understand your desire to cast on for the new project. Sparkly things! I wad just thinking I should read Birnam Wood, but your comment reminded me that I'm not a fan of Eleanor Catton's writing style. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteHmmm..that's me above...the anonymous one.
ReplyDeleteso nice that you are inspired and excited to start something new, that is the best feeling ever as a knitter. I finished my hitchhiker and started another one.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love the yarns you've got for the next shawl! And you've gotten quite a lot done on your current Hitchhiker!
ReplyDeleteI found Birnam Wood to be a book that was pretty slow at the start and gradually built up until the last 50 or 75 pages, which just flew. I'd encourage you to stick with it -- the ending is not at all what you might be expecting.
Birnam Wood . . . sigh. I thought it was a total slog until the last fly-down-the-roller-coaster bit. In the end I decided it was worth it, but I can understand the putting-it-down-for-a-bit thing. (Or maybe forever.) I LOVE your new yarn, and I'm absolutely intrigued with the Hitch on the Move design. That looks like a lot of fun to knit . . . and now I'm wondering what I might have in my own stash to give it go????
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about you yesterday morning - glad the yarn shop trip didn't disappoint! and wow for sparkles!! One of my book groups read BW and our discussion was fantastic. Two of my takeaways: 1. we all become caricatures on social media (and in other "group-think" settings like Birnam Wood); 2. the Macbeth tie-ins ... I found a few, and there were many! Also, this podcast https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/books/review/eleanor-catton-on-birnam-wood.html was so good!
ReplyDeleteOK. I think this is my favorite of your hitchhikers. That blue is fabulous. I'm glad your yarn shop adventure was successful. I have knit two shawls with Anzula yarn and thought it was wonderful. Lady Tan's Circle of Women intrigues me. Women who struggle against society's mores and expectations always interest me.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think your Forget-Me-Not Hitchhiker is a real winner! I love the gradual/subtle color change. But, WOW, that Hitch On The Move is going to be a STUNNER!! Can't wait for that to get underway. (I'll be patient... will you?? haha)
ReplyDeleteOoo! I love your new yarns, Bonny! I think they will be stunning together in the Hitch On The Move! You are inspiring me to find some yarns I can make work!
ReplyDeleteI felt many of the characters in Birnam Wood were a bit stereotypical... but I did not see that ending coming at all!