Making Lists

This week has been much like the last. I worked alternately on the mystery shawl  and garter swing sweater. I have finished clue 2 for the Stephen West mystery shawl, which means I am halfway done. The knitting has been easy, although I have decided that I dislike purling light fingering weight yarn. I am still not sure what I think of the design. It looks a bit like a superhero cape to me. I just need to wait until Friday to see what the next clue entails and decide if I keep or gift it. Eamon is starting to hint that he may want it. The red sweater is going quickly. The yarn is an aran weight, so it is fast. I am an increase or two from splitting for the sleeves. It is so nice to pair this knit with the mystery one. I can actually read while knitting this sweater, since I only need to pay attention every other row for the increases.

In between knitting these two projects, I have begun making lists. The Ravellenic Games begin on Friday. I am planning to participate in a few events. I had wanted to finish the languishing socks on my needles, but they haven't been sitting long enough to count as a WIP. Instead I will be competing in the modular event with the hope that I will catch up on my granny square sampler afghan. I need to crochet 16 squares to catch up. I am sure I can do it if I really focus. The third Camp Loopy project starts on Friday as well. I have the yarn at the ready, but haven't decided on the pattern. Once decided, that project will count toward the shawl sailing event. The final event I am considering involves swatching. I have a few upcoming projects which require fair isle gauge swatches. I figure now is a good time to do those. I am also hoping this will force me to do a true gauge swatch complete with blocking. Eek!

While working on the red sweater and planning my involvement in the games, I finished two books. I enjoyed both The Story Sisters and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. The kiddos really enjoyed the latter. I think I read almost half the book to them on Monday. They kept wanting another chapter. We are reading it with others as part of the Read Aloud Book Along with Annie of Bird and Little Bird. I appreciate all the work she does for this project, and we all wonder what the activity will be for the novel. My next read is one recommended by Amanda and is entitled When God Was a Rabbit. I may need something light after this one as the past few books I have read included kidnapping of a child, drug abuse and molestation. Heavy topics for this mama.

So what have you been knitting and reading this week? If you are looking for good project and book ideas, head on over to Ginny's for more yarn along posts.