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Gretchen Ronnevik

Gretchen Ronnevik

Yarn Along

Book Reviews, knitting

Today I’m participating once again in Ginny’s Yarn Along. For this event, we’re supposed to take a single photograph of what we are knitting/crocheting and reading, and talk about it.  Or not talk about it and just put up a picture.  I always like to talk about it! 

I feel like this week will be a letdown from last, because I haven’t gotten nearly the same amount of knitting or reading done.  Well, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, although it’s not what I consider reading.   More like research.  What I wouldn’t give for a few quiet hours to read a novel.  I don’t even know which one I would read.

I actually got an “American Girl” (18″ doll) dress done to match Solveig’s from last week, but I had configured one thing wrong in the measurements, and undid the whole thing and started over.  It’s not that far along, and you guys have seen that project a few weeks in a row now.  So it has me double checking my math in all the other measurements for the other sizes for the pattern.  I intend in doing a partial tester in each size to confirm the math.  However, on Tuesday I was feeling sick.  I was so achy that the thought of picking up needles sounded awful.  I know…sick.

I did start some testing over the weekend for my next pattern, which I shouldn’t be doing until this one is done.  However, my wrists get sore when I work with DK weight yarn (or thinner) for too long, and my next pattern is going to use worsted weight. I thought the change would do my wrists good, and help me get some good technique back.  I’m starting to realize that’s why I like having multiple projects going at the same time: so I can rotate through different weight yarns.

Even though I made great progress in the pattern, everything was frogged and notes were made before I’m ready for a tester.  Basically I figured out how NOT to do the neckline, and I think I have a good idea how it should be done now. So I did a lot of knitting this last week and have absolutely nothing to show for it besides some written notes.

I should show you the books that I’m using as I’m figuring out numbers of stitches, and designing neck bands and edges. I love perusing through my new books.  Paid for through swagbucks. (Something the diaper divas got me into.  A nice way to pick up some Amazon gift cards by just using their search engine.  Honestly it’s not that great of a search engine, but I get so much free stuff that I normally couldn’t justify buying for myself.)  I’m trying to build a great knitting reference library.

I should probably should do an entire post on all the books someday, but for now, I’ll talk about my three most recent: A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, (as it is already misplaced, it didn’t make it to the picture), Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting Over The Edge.  These have been so inspirational and helpful along this design journey.  The last 2 there have some really great ideas, and a lot of wasted space where I think it’s pretty much a stretch as a border.  O, and this last one didn’t come in the last shipment, but I’ve finally cracked it open and it’s amazingly helpful: Knitting from the Top.  It’s very dated but the material in there is so relevant (in my opinion, the definition of a true classic), and I can’t find anything else out there quite as good.

So as I’m giving myself a break from knitting until I feel up to par, I’m going over these books and learning so much about knitting design, and getting so inspired!

I’m working on a dress for Silje from the book: Sewing Clothes Kids Love however, it’s been slow going since I can only seem to find 10 minute increments to sew with.  It’s for spring, and that’s right around the corner, so I should really hop to it.  I LOVE this book, and I’ve learned so much about the construction of children’s clothing, and several things to take into account when designing and accessorizing them.  Plus the patterns in there are just gorgeous.

Lastly, there’s more looking ahead to spring with our chicken books from the library.  I think once we get them, we’ll definitely have time for them, but the matter of getting the coop ready is beginning to worry me, as the fireplace is coming together slower than I had anticipated.  I’m not sure when Knut will have time, but he keeps telling me to keep getting ready and reading up on what we need to do, etc.  So I’m not sure if the coop will be ready, but I know I’ll be ready.  (I really have no clue what I’m doing.)  The kids are so excited about getting chickens because I guess then we’ll be a “real” farm.  We’ve just been a 4,000 acre fake one up until now, I guess.

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February 9, 2011 · 15 Comments

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Comments

  1. house full of jays says

    February 9, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Oh, I’m interested to follow your adventures with chickens! We are a long way from having chickens but I hope to some day!
    Sorry you had to tear out the doll dress! That hurts!
    Hope you’re feeling better soon and up to knitting again!

    Reply
  2. 46south says

    February 9, 2011 at 5:44 am

    Wow, too sick to knit – that’s pretty sick! Actually knitting made me nauseous when I was pregnant, for the first few months anyway. Even the idea of knitting made me feel sick. I think it’s because I was in a yarn store looking at patterns when the morning sickness hit me for the first time. I hope you’re feeling better by now.

    Reply
  3. Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} says

    February 9, 2011 at 5:55 am

    Oh wow, can I come over and read books with you?? *grin*. You have a wonderful stack there and so many great projects! Sorry to hear you were feeling ill. I hope you are doing much better 🙂

    Reply
  4. missy says

    February 9, 2011 at 6:52 am

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE my copy of Sewing Clothes Kids Love – I’ve been sewing from it for a year now, I got it when it first came out. I’ve never actually posted on my blog any of the things I’ve made from it, but the instructions are all so clear and the clothes fit my girls great. I actually just cut out the fabric for a feliz dress tonight!

    Reply
  5. MJ says

    February 9, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Thanks for all the knitting references!! I am new at it and was looking for a good book to push me along!!

    Reply
  6. Mom says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    All I can say is you sure don’t let any grass grow under your feet, do you? 😉

    Reply
  7. Joy says

    February 9, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    The books look fascinating! I love new knitting books. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Kathryn says

    February 9, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I love all that your up to, so inspiring. Makes me want to shake the dust off and get moving myself!
    I’ve been wanting to get Sewing Clothes kids love so I’m really happy to see the reviews here, it might go in my Easter shopping, any excuse will do!

    Reply
  9. Plain and Joyful Living says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Best wishes with chickens – they are lots of fun and quickly rewarding.

    Reply
  10. Kristi says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Sounds like some great knitting books! I wish I could have chickens. I love them.

    Reply
  11. Erin @ Wild Whispers says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    What a wonderful stack! My wrists hurt constantly when I knit… I have to find a remedy! Good to know I am not alone!

    Reply
  12. Sandra says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Great books and I’m jealous on the chickens LOL I want to have chickens so much but being military and living on base, that wouldn’t go down very well with the commander LOL

    I’m visiting through the Yarn Along 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jarka says

    February 9, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    good luck with your projects 🙂 …too sick to knit 😀 lol

    Reply
  14. Josée says

    February 9, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I’d love to keep chickens one day. But there isn’t much room in our backyard right now. How do you like that sewing clothes book?

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    February 9, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    What a great stack of books. We have chickens and love them. Lots of fun, yummy eggs, and really not too much work. Good luck!

    Blessings, Elizabeth

    Reply

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Welcome!

I’m Gretchen, farmwife, mother and teacher to 6 hilarious children, writer, tutor, knitting designer and mentor.  I am passionate about teaching women about their freedom and identity found in theology of the law and the gospel.  Feel free to sign up below for my newsletter and updates.

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