~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?~ -Ginny
Well, I published the cowl pattern yesterday. I spent way too much time knitting twice another cowl like it to use for the tutorial at the end and had to rip it out twice because I didn’t have quite enough yarn. I was trying to squeeze a 110 yd project out of 90 yards and I know better. I know better.
I’m excited at how much bigger the response was on Ravelry than for my other pattern, so I feel like I’m headed in the right direction. It was a big encouragement to me to keep on writing patterns.
I’ve started David’s “Dirk sweater” and hopefully it will be finished up quickly so I can get my notes done on it and move along. As long as I don’t go off on a rabbit trail like I just did with the Clara Cowl, I should be fine.
I’m using knit picks again. The orange (for the body) looked so much brighter in real life than in the picture on their site, or even in this picture. I was going for a duller sophistication, but David absolutely loves the hue, and I suppose that’s all that matters. The collar, shoulders and arms will be the dusk/navy color.
I also spent some time winding up and starting to knit some of this handspun BFL that I got in a swap last winter. It’s about the coolest yarn ever. I intend to whip up a double length Clara Cowl and put it in my store. I mean, what’s the fun of knitting if you can’t be distracted by…more knitting?
I’m reading a book that my in-laws gave me as part of my birthday present. It’s by the same author of Giants in the Earth and this is a small collection of some of his short stories. Most of his short stories still remain untranslated, but these 6 are supposed to be some of his best. The feeling of them is so much lighter than that of his masterpiece. I just read a fishing story about 3 former fishermen in Norway now fishing in ponds in America. They make fun of the Irish who have no idea what they’re doing and can’t fish. Since I’m half Irish and half Norwegian, I got a great kick out of this one. I also read the short biography of the author in this book. I love biographies.
So that’s what’s going on here. What about you? If you want to peek into what others are knitting and reading more, hop on over the the yarn party at Ginny’s.
pinkundine says
August 31, 2011 at 9:11 amLove your cowl pattern, might have to queue that myself 🙂 I bet it’ll look amazing in that gorgeous handspun too.
Ellen says
August 31, 2011 at 12:27 pmCongrats on your cowl pattern. Thanks for the book recommendation – there are so many authors I’ve never heard of.
Jessica says
August 31, 2011 at 1:05 pmI just finished reading The Invention of Hugo Caberet (which is an awesome book Silje might enjoy. It’s like 500 pages, but I read it in 2 hours because it combines illustrations pages with artful printing to move the story line along). I picked up The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but might not end up reading it since the back cover says the epic story ends in tragedy. And that would just be disappointing after 530 pages of tiny print.
stitchandpurl says
August 31, 2011 at 1:11 pmThat yarn is just the yummiest thing! Happy knitting!
Gae says
August 31, 2011 at 1:19 pmDear Gretchen,
I absolutely love the colourful yarn. It will look adorable knitted up.
Love the sense of humour about your book
Have fun knitting this week
Blessings
Gae
Knitters Notebook says
August 31, 2011 at 1:28 pmI love the yarn….I will have to look for the book you are reading…
~~Renee
Swanski says
August 31, 2011 at 1:46 pmThe handspun is gorgeous! I hope you have fun knitting with it.
Plain and Joyful Living says
August 31, 2011 at 1:55 pmCongratulations on finishing your pattern.
The yarn that you are going to start another cowl on is beautiful.
Warm wishes, Tonya
Jen says
August 31, 2011 at 4:30 pmI love both of your patterns (I took a sneak peek over on Ravelry).
Blue and orange are very complementary colors, so I know the sweater is going to be great.
That handspun is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the finished cowl.
Katy says
August 31, 2011 at 5:31 pmI really admire you for writing patterns. I don’t think I could figure out how to do that.
Adore the handspun. What fun!
anneke says
August 31, 2011 at 6:44 pmWhat a wonderful yarn. Is it soft enough to use for a cowl??
I love that pattern, but I would have to read that very carefully. I’m a experienced knitter, but I’m not that experienced yet in reading English designs….
www.theevolvinghomemaker.com says
August 31, 2011 at 8:11 pmthe sweater will look fantastic! those are great colors together!
🙂
jen
meghann says
August 31, 2011 at 8:18 pmYour cowl is fantastic! And I adore that beautiful yarn in today’s photo… xo
house full of jays says
August 31, 2011 at 9:50 pmBeautiful wool!
Love your cowl pattern so pretty!
Elizabeth says
September 1, 2011 at 12:31 amLove the cowl pattern. Keep on writing! People who write their own pattern amaze me.
christine says
September 1, 2011 at 4:35 amI used to knit, but now I find crocheting much more fun and less frustrating when I mess up. I crocheted a big afghan for my mom a long time ago. It was a lot of fun. My mom loves to knit and is working on an old sweater pattern passed down her mom. It’s turning out really good. Parents put a lot of time and love into the things they make.
j&kronnevik says
September 1, 2011 at 2:39 pmLet me know when you get that in the store because I WANT IT!