A knitting update: I'm still plinking away on the cashmere scarf. Progress is slow, but I'm in no hurry. I have decided not to knit any Christmas gifts this year, which immediately took a load off of the normal holiday knitting pressure.
I might make a couple pairs of small socks, or a quick pair of mittens, if I feel in the mood, but otherwise -
there is very little production going on (but a whole lot more enjoyment when I do sit down to knit)
Instead, the needle has been flying on my sewing machine. How much faster it is to sew a Christmas present than to knit one! Why didn't I think of this before?
When I get tired of my blue lacy thing, I pull down my Madelinetosh and dream of something yellow for me. Maybe a tea leaves? Maybe this? Still very much in the planning stage on my next sweater... this yarn is too special to me to make a mistake on the pattern choice. It's almost too special to actually knit with at all.
A reading update: I am 6 and 3/4 (yes - exactly) through We Took to the Woods (amazon link). And I love this book. I really love it. It is just exactly what I wanted to read, but I didn't know that until I began. It's like reading a blog written 70-80 years ago about life in rural Maine.
When I finish that, I have no idea what I'll begin next. I'm open to suggestions. I started True Colors, but didn't make it more than a chapter in before I got bored.
I did pick up a pile of new books at the library book sale yesterday. I found an old hardcover copy of the Audobon Field Guide of Birds, and another field guide of birds (the beautiful color pictures of all of the bird species are really why I bought the books), and a copy of Simple Abundance: A Day Book of Comfort and Joy. I was searching for a new novel to read, but came up with nothing. Still I'm happy with the little pile I did come home with.
p.s. Guess what came in this little shoebox yesterday in the mail?
A lovely friend sent me a scarf she knit (and a note and cookies too) - I gave her a knitting lesson when she came for a visit at the end of the summer last year. It is so warm and squishy and soft, just the perfect attribute in a scarf. Thank you Daphne! It was so nice to get something fun in the mail for a change :)
Now, I'm off to bake some pumpkin bread!
Posted along with Ginny over at Small Things.
It is so nice to get unexpected gifts! I sometimes find myself frustrated starting books and not really liking them mostly due to them not being what I am ready to read, I used to always force myself to finish them. Now I just move along. I am glad that moving along got you to the perfect book for you to read right now. That yarn is very pretty I look forward to seeing what you choose to make it into.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed that book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the perfect novel to read. I too am on the lookout for one.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice package you received in the mail. :)
xx
That yellow yarn is so pretty - I love that colour. I think a tea leaves would look great in it, or maybe shalom or peasy?
ReplyDeleteLucky you getting a surprise present too :)
What a wonderful surprise! Your friend chose lovely yarn for you for an Autumn scarf.
ReplyDeleteI am madly in love with your yellow yarn, such a lovely shade, cannot wait to see what you decide to knit!
ReplyDeleteThose are very interesting books - I put both on hold near me. And of course, you can't have too many field guides. Madeline Tosh yarn is gorgeous in whatever colorway there is. Yes, sometimes just 'looking' at the yarn is enough.
ReplyDeleteWhat things are you sewing?
i often feel that way about the wool i bring home too. for me the more serious (gorgeous) the yarn the simpler the pattern, so it will show more beautifully. love your stack of books. i'm happy to not be making for christmas either, with the exception of a couple hats :)
ReplyDelete@Ellen Right now I'm making flannel scarves and also some small clutches like these: http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!