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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

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.

21 comments:

  1. You've got me wanting to knit a pair (or two) of Duffers as well!

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  2. Dear me the slippers are cute! Katherine so needs a pair of those!

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  3. I remember enjoying both The Red Pony and Of Mice and Men when we did Steinbeck in school. Thanks for the memories. :-)

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  4. Leg warmers...I think that is going to be on my to do list - although I don't know if I will finish them before it turns warm again :-)

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  5. We are reading Steinbeck right now and getting ready to move on to Hemingway...I'll be glad when spring break arrives so I can read something I want! Between Literature and History reading, it's pretty depressing.

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  6. Anonymous10:42 AM

    It must be warm where you are, I'm admiring your knits being outside! We had a high of 8 degrees yesterday. I love your shawl, it looks very intricate and detailed.

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  7. Your leaves of grass looks beautiful. I'm in need of some new slippers, maybe I'll try the Duffer's.
    I'm a big fan of Steinbeck and I think you summed up his writing very well.

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  8. I agree - it's beautiful work.
    I have come to realise that those smaller projects are necessary when taking on a larger one, simply for that sense of accomplishment along the way.

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  9. all your knits are looking very beautiful heather. i wrote you on the kal blog but in case you don't see it, i was hoping this would be helpful. these are my notes from the first leaves (since your using the same worsted):

    ~ i began the 2nd ball of wool at the end of chart c, and added a lifeline here too.
    ~ 3rd ball began at the 2nd d chart
    ~ 4th ball at the beginning of the knitted on edge.
    ~ ended with approx. 55 grams

    those outer rows really do consume a LOT of wool!

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  10. Anonymous12:47 PM

    Your knits are gorgeous! I love the sense of accomplishment of smaller projects :)

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  11. Anonymous1:57 PM

    Your knits really are gorgeous! I've never done a knit along, but it sounds fun!

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  12. Well done taking on such a big kal! I read Mice and Men when I was 14, for English. I still recall the feelings Steinbech's prose conjured up - the space - the despair the sadness.
    xx

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  13. Beautiful projects! I especially love how the Duffers turned out - I've been eyeing that pattern for a while now.

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  14. Oh my your Leaves of Grass is beautiful ! I think we are using the same yarn.

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  15. Love your lace work and I can see why you needed a "commercial" from the long term knitting. I do it all the time!! Your shawl will be beautiful when it is all done.

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  16. I'm love with those duffers! And you have made good work on your leaves of grass...I'm still on the fence about that one - good thing I have about a hundred projects to finish/start first. ;)

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  17. Lots of winter-y goodness! And that lace is so beautiful.

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  18. What great knitting! you are right, lace like that seems to poke along slowly, doesn't it? Another reason I haven't attempted anything that grand yet! Lovely!

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  19. Love that Duffers pattern - now in my library :)

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  20. Just finished "The Glass Castle" and loved it....think you would really enjoy it too.

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    1. I read it a bit ago. I enjoyed it, but oh so sad.

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