This and That

A few weeks ago, I mentioned joining in on the Leaves of Grass knit along. Since I had the yarn and the pattern, it seemed logical. This was just the right motivation I needed. I whipped through the first two charts, and I was really progressing quite well on the blanket (I am doing it in a worsted weight yarn). Then I noticed that my skein was not getting much smaller. In fact, I still had half a skein - not to mention the other three in my bag. I was on Chart C and still had more than 75% of my yarn left. I became worried and discouraged. I did the only thing I could think of; I set the shawl aside.

I knew I needed a few quick knits to help me along. So, I cast on for a pair of socks and finished them. I then decided we needed slippers for the upcoming return east. I love the Duffers pattern from a few years ago, and had yarn for a pair for each of the kids and me (Dave hates the idea of slippers). I quickly made Benton a pair and cast on another pair for Aine (the pink slipper pictured above). With his finished and hers halfway complete, I found another project to satisfy my need for speed. I started a set of leg warmers.

I now have one legwarmer and a slipper on the needles as well as the Leaves of Grass. I plan to finish the slipper after this post. The legwarmer will be my travel project as it is an easy moss stitch pattern. With these two projects near completion, I think I am about ready to return to my blanket. My need for quick projects has been satisfied. Rumor has it that the final charts require a lot of yarn. I sure hope so, or I will have the smallest blanket and a whole lot of yarn left over!

While I have been knitting, I have been mostly listening to audiobooks. I finished The Newlyweds and enjoyed it. I was a bit surprised by the ending, but I thought the story progressed smoothly. Definitely full of a few small surprises. My next book was one Eamon has been wanting me to read, The Lightning Thief. I am enjoying it, and it gives me quite a few things to discuss with him. He is a huge fan of mythology, so we can talk at great length about the god/goddesses.

My book reading has been focused on the classics. I finished Steinbeck's The Red Pony and am getting ready to read Of Mice And Men. These two were influenced by the selection of The Grapes of Wrath for the Big Read this year. Although I am enjoying Steinbeck's prose, his story's are not bright, shiny happy things. He is able to create such vivid imagery with few words, but he can also relay such deep human emotions. I may need a bit of a break before I delve into the depression era dust bowl. I plan to read that one in the next few months. I have a few other books I would like to read prior to it.

So, what are you working on this week with Ginny? Read any good books lately. I just put a lot on hold at my library, but I am always looking for good ones.