Book Reviews:
Knit One, Felt Too - This is a great beginner's book for felting projects. The introduction to felting has a lot of good information and there is a nice range of projects to work on. I, for one, loved the lunch bag carryall and the draft blocker. But other than that none of the projects really called out to me. I'm glad I got it through ILL for the technique information at the front, but it'll probably not be going on any wishlist of mine.
Christmas Stockings 18 Holiday Treasures to Knit - This one has some great stockings in it and some very specialized stockings in it. If you want to knit a stocking for your dog, this is the book to have. I liked the idea of the 'artist's stocking' but would have really preferred a 'knitter's stocking' instead - which could probably be easily done with some mild alterations to the pattern, but I didn't necessarily like the idea *enough* to do them myself. The Austrian Alpine Treasure stocking is gorgeous (but I fear trying to find the specific yarn for it since substitutions aren't suggested) and there were several others I loved. This is another book I'm glad I got through ILL. If I ever decide to start knitting up stockings this'll be the place I look (and probably request it again) but I'm not planning to get it just yet.
The Shop on Blossom Street - I hate to say it, but I was rather 'meh' about this book. I suppose it is in part because I've been in a cozy mystery mood lately and this isn't a cozy mystery. It isn't even a mystery. But is has knitting. It ended up being a bit too much of the romancy-chick lit kind of book for me. But if anyone enjoys that kinda book, then I say go for it. I have the sequel from ILL, but I think it might end up going back as well.
Other stuff:
The first of the babies has arrived! My oldest cousin was induced on Friday and, though I didn't learn the news until Saturday evening, managed to spend the weekend knitting my fingers off. The baby kimono just need to be put together (after it finished blocking) and the baby hat (a little Ann Norling Strawberry hat) is finished as well. I would like to put everything in the mail tomorrow on my way out of town, so the hope is to try to sew up the kimono tonight. I was hoping to get a pair of booties out of the same yarn as the kimono as well, but we'll have to see. I'll have plenty of time for knitting over the holiday as well, what with the big trip even further up north.
I also finished one more Christmas present (at least the knitting on said present), which is also blocking (with two other versions of said thing - one for me and another present) with the baby kimono. I'm hoping that I'll get Mom's gift finished while we're in the Big City Even Further Up North, and I'm going to start on another just like it - either for myself or for a Christmas gift. On the other hand, I also have a cone of absolutely gorgeous bottle green Jaeger Zephyr that I'm tempted to start knitting some lace with. I even have a pattern in mind - just need to print it off. And it is an 'Intermediate' pattern, which is probably what I need considering that other than the swatch for my 'Lucky' cardigan (which has slowly started growing into a scarf - the swatch not the cardigan) I haven't knit lace in almost 10 years.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I'm knitting, I swear!
But I feel that I'm getting more accomplished in the reading department, which is a first in a long time for me. Grad school sucked up all my free time and the wonderful part of being out is that when I get home from work there's no homework. None. I can sit and knit or sit and read or...
I really need to start looking into audio books, that's what I need to do.
For the recent reads:
At Wick's End - Guy's aunt dies. Guy inherits candle shop. Guy finds out he inherits mystery as well as property. Guy solves mystery. It's your basic simple cozy mystery and there have been times (expecially lately) where a basic simple cozy mystery is what I'm looking for. There is a lot of information about the candle-making business and hobby, a multitude of references to the Dame Agatha, a couple of recipes in the back and a few hours of entertainment to be found. I enjoyed it and will be getting the next in the series through ILL, but I don't think it'll be going on the To Buy list (unless I'm near a Half-Priced Books anytime soon).
Murder with Peacocks - This was an Agatha award winner for best first book, and it was definitely worth it. I'm not sure how Meg did it, if it had been me I would have long since told the various family members to plan their own darned wedding. And she had a murder (or was it murders) to deal with in the process. And peacocks to find. This was definitely one of those 'can't put it down' kind of reads - that had me giggling the entire way. I couldn't wait for my lunch break so I could find out what happens next. I've already requested the sequel from ILL and this is definitely going to be a book I'll look for at my next book store run.
On the knitting front, Librarian Twin (who started a week before me, has same color hair, eyes and also wears glasses (and is also practically the same clothing size) and has the same love for fun shoes I have) has officially joined the realm of knitters. There was a three hour long knit in last night at her place as she started on her practice skein and took to knitting like a duck to water. She was quick to figure out how to recognize when she's done something wrong and is even beginning to figure out how to fix mistakes. A wonderful student overall and I can't wait for our next knit in - especially since we'll be on disc 2 of the Muppet Show for that. ;)
My own knitting included working on Mom's Christmas gift (which I've been threatening (at least to TG) to keep for myself). There was a last minute rip and recast on yesterday morning (third time, btw) and then several hours worth of knitting at LT's. I've a pretty sizeable amount done, though not nearly the amount when I first had to rip (oh the joy of running out of yarn). Now all I have to do is to remember to switch skeins every two rows (something I'm having difficulty with) and just continue on. The good news is that there should be plenty o' time for knitting next week - after the Turkey Day festivities TG and I are planning a trip to the Bigger City Even Further Up North and he doesn't at all mind driving while I knit. There may or may not be friends joining us, but we'll probably have separate cars and I'll not be driving regardless. (I may have had no problem driving around Tucson or Phoenix, but the last time I was in the Big City Even Further Up North I had the priviledge of sitting in the middle of the backseat (eschewing the seat buckle which I RARELY do) and had a front row view of some idiot driving way too fast trying to squeeze through where he shouldn't. It involved him flipping his car. And his flipped car nearly landing on our car. I'm NOT driving in that city.)
After leaving LT's house I spent a bit more time (when I wasn't reading At Wick's End) working on the baby bolero, getting four more rows of the back shoulder shaping done. I plan to at least finish the back shoulder shaping (if not getting to the back neck bind off, though I don't want to jinx myself) tonight. But, to add fun to that, I just recieved a copy of One Skein through ILL today. I've seen it before (and it sits rather high on my wishlist) but I have a single skein of sari silk in a delightful purple/mauve colorway that I know will never be duplicated (and there was only the one skein at the LYS where I used to live). While I could happily just sit and fondle the yarn, I really want to start to look for ideas of something to do with it. But I'm not certain I want a hat or any of the usual projects (though I do kinda like the idea of a short ascot-like scarf that I could fasten with a lovely dragonfly brooch I have). I need IDEAS. Plus I also have one skein of Noro Silk Garden in the right color but wrong dye lot, so unless it becomes a fringe on the Lady Eleanor I'm likely to knit (I figure that fringe is the one place you can play fast and loose with the dye lot), I'll need an idea for it as well. Especially if that Silk Garden becomes a Klaralund or other project (I really don't think I need any more scarves, no matter how much I love the Lady E).
I really need to start looking into audio books, that's what I need to do.
For the recent reads:
At Wick's End - Guy's aunt dies. Guy inherits candle shop. Guy finds out he inherits mystery as well as property. Guy solves mystery. It's your basic simple cozy mystery and there have been times (expecially lately) where a basic simple cozy mystery is what I'm looking for. There is a lot of information about the candle-making business and hobby, a multitude of references to the Dame Agatha, a couple of recipes in the back and a few hours of entertainment to be found. I enjoyed it and will be getting the next in the series through ILL, but I don't think it'll be going on the To Buy list (unless I'm near a Half-Priced Books anytime soon).
Murder with Peacocks - This was an Agatha award winner for best first book, and it was definitely worth it. I'm not sure how Meg did it, if it had been me I would have long since told the various family members to plan their own darned wedding. And she had a murder (or was it murders) to deal with in the process. And peacocks to find. This was definitely one of those 'can't put it down' kind of reads - that had me giggling the entire way. I couldn't wait for my lunch break so I could find out what happens next. I've already requested the sequel from ILL and this is definitely going to be a book I'll look for at my next book store run.
On the knitting front, Librarian Twin (who started a week before me, has same color hair, eyes and also wears glasses (and is also practically the same clothing size) and has the same love for fun shoes I have) has officially joined the realm of knitters. There was a three hour long knit in last night at her place as she started on her practice skein and took to knitting like a duck to water. She was quick to figure out how to recognize when she's done something wrong and is even beginning to figure out how to fix mistakes. A wonderful student overall and I can't wait for our next knit in - especially since we'll be on disc 2 of the Muppet Show for that. ;)
My own knitting included working on Mom's Christmas gift (which I've been threatening (at least to TG) to keep for myself). There was a last minute rip and recast on yesterday morning (third time, btw) and then several hours worth of knitting at LT's. I've a pretty sizeable amount done, though not nearly the amount when I first had to rip (oh the joy of running out of yarn). Now all I have to do is to remember to switch skeins every two rows (something I'm having difficulty with) and just continue on. The good news is that there should be plenty o' time for knitting next week - after the Turkey Day festivities TG and I are planning a trip to the Bigger City Even Further Up North and he doesn't at all mind driving while I knit. There may or may not be friends joining us, but we'll probably have separate cars and I'll not be driving regardless. (I may have had no problem driving around Tucson or Phoenix, but the last time I was in the Big City Even Further Up North I had the priviledge of sitting in the middle of the backseat (eschewing the seat buckle which I RARELY do) and had a front row view of some idiot driving way too fast trying to squeeze through where he shouldn't. It involved him flipping his car. And his flipped car nearly landing on our car. I'm NOT driving in that city.)
After leaving LT's house I spent a bit more time (when I wasn't reading At Wick's End) working on the baby bolero, getting four more rows of the back shoulder shaping done. I plan to at least finish the back shoulder shaping (if not getting to the back neck bind off, though I don't want to jinx myself) tonight. But, to add fun to that, I just recieved a copy of One Skein through ILL today. I've seen it before (and it sits rather high on my wishlist) but I have a single skein of sari silk in a delightful purple/mauve colorway that I know will never be duplicated (and there was only the one skein at the LYS where I used to live). While I could happily just sit and fondle the yarn, I really want to start to look for ideas of something to do with it. But I'm not certain I want a hat or any of the usual projects (though I do kinda like the idea of a short ascot-like scarf that I could fasten with a lovely dragonfly brooch I have). I need IDEAS. Plus I also have one skein of Noro Silk Garden in the right color but wrong dye lot, so unless it becomes a fringe on the Lady Eleanor I'm likely to knit (I figure that fringe is the one place you can play fast and loose with the dye lot), I'll need an idea for it as well. Especially if that Silk Garden becomes a Klaralund or other project (I really don't think I need any more scarves, no matter how much I love the Lady E).
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Tuesday Book Review (or the joy of being a knitty librarian)
The joy of being a knitty librarian is that you can Interlibrary loan whatever knitting book you want to use. Or in my case, check out before deciding to buy. The only bookstore in town is a used bookstore, the closest town with a yarn shop (and presummably a book store, I haven't actually been anywhere but the yarn shop) is an hour or so away, so generally my purchasing happens via the good old World Wide Web.
The current ILL knitting books include Knitting Rules by the lovely Yarn Harlot and Mason-Dixon Knitting by the ever amusing Kay and Ann at Mason-Dixon Knitting.
Knitting Rules is fun, amusing and, what I like best, not only patterns but also 'recipes' for various items. During my phases of sock knitting I've found myself too dependent on this sock pattern here and that sock pattern there and it helps to have someone sit down and say 'You know, all you really need is your gauge swatch and some thinking and you don't need those'. (Even if I already knew that.) Kinda opens up the possibility for, oh say, fun stitch patterns on my socks if I do say so myself. In all it goes on the wishlist. The Guy (TG) even had fun with it, ambushing me with the stash quiz - according to him you have to be out on the sidewalk to be at least 10 feet away from the stash. But I don't even have a sidewalk! And I think there may be a room somewhere without any yarn in it. Errr... The kitchen! (If the knitted up poncho laying over the back of a chair don't count.)
Mason-Dixon Knitting is a good book with several new variations on old ideas and a lot of things that aren't your typical knitting project. I like the fact that instead of have 30 different gorgeous sweaters there are instead rugs and bedspreads and curtains and cushions. Big plus - quick and easy baby items. I have a cousin with a baby due this month, another due in February (neither of which I found out about until last month) and a boss due in April. There was no way I was going to get the in progress baby blanket as well as a second finished in time. I figure I'll get to start knitting for myself in about May. But it was TG who (while flipping through the M-D K) pointed out the baby kimono that happens to be the perfect use of some Plymouth Encore languishing in the stash (I bought it last Christmas for some mittens but it wasn't a good match at all - which is sad considering it is white). And I pulled out some leftovers of pink (as a semi-yarn snob I confess, Caron Super Soft or whatever it is) from the second (and working) attempt of said mittens that I may use with other leftovers for a striped kimono (I figure there has to be a girl in the works there somewhere).
Tonight, however, this knitty librarian is working late, swapping an evening shift with a co-worker. But tomorrow will be the interesting part. Tomorrow I may just end up helping to introduce two other librarians to the wonderful world of the knitty-ness.
(TG has also claims to have resigned himself to the fact that I'll probably end up teaching him to knit. I plan to get him a copy of Knitting With Balls when I do so.)
The current ILL knitting books include Knitting Rules by the lovely Yarn Harlot and Mason-Dixon Knitting by the ever amusing Kay and Ann at Mason-Dixon Knitting.
Knitting Rules is fun, amusing and, what I like best, not only patterns but also 'recipes' for various items. During my phases of sock knitting I've found myself too dependent on this sock pattern here and that sock pattern there and it helps to have someone sit down and say 'You know, all you really need is your gauge swatch and some thinking and you don't need those'. (Even if I already knew that.) Kinda opens up the possibility for, oh say, fun stitch patterns on my socks if I do say so myself. In all it goes on the wishlist. The Guy (TG) even had fun with it, ambushing me with the stash quiz - according to him you have to be out on the sidewalk to be at least 10 feet away from the stash. But I don't even have a sidewalk! And I think there may be a room somewhere without any yarn in it. Errr... The kitchen! (If the knitted up poncho laying over the back of a chair don't count.)
Mason-Dixon Knitting is a good book with several new variations on old ideas and a lot of things that aren't your typical knitting project. I like the fact that instead of have 30 different gorgeous sweaters there are instead rugs and bedspreads and curtains and cushions. Big plus - quick and easy baby items. I have a cousin with a baby due this month, another due in February (neither of which I found out about until last month) and a boss due in April. There was no way I was going to get the in progress baby blanket as well as a second finished in time. I figure I'll get to start knitting for myself in about May. But it was TG who (while flipping through the M-D K) pointed out the baby kimono that happens to be the perfect use of some Plymouth Encore languishing in the stash (I bought it last Christmas for some mittens but it wasn't a good match at all - which is sad considering it is white). And I pulled out some leftovers of pink (as a semi-yarn snob I confess, Caron Super Soft or whatever it is) from the second (and working) attempt of said mittens that I may use with other leftovers for a striped kimono (I figure there has to be a girl in the works there somewhere).
Tonight, however, this knitty librarian is working late, swapping an evening shift with a co-worker. But tomorrow will be the interesting part. Tomorrow I may just end up helping to introduce two other librarians to the wonderful world of the knitty-ness.
(TG has also claims to have resigned himself to the fact that I'll probably end up teaching him to knit. I plan to get him a copy of Knitting With Balls when I do so.)
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