(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Nothing like an afternoon of hot chocolate and knitting...

Sorry for the photo, it was snapped quickly with my phone...

A walk in the park (and some socks)...

It's that time of year again...

Seeing daisies in the grass...

Finding interesting flowers...

And other amazing works of art which nature creates...

It's put a "spring" in my step, and so my knitting reflects this:

Cool colours, eh? I thought they would be the perfect spring project - A pair of easy vanilla socks in bright, happy rainbow yarn :-)

Hope you are enjoying the new season :-)

Loving Literature...

So here is what I have been reading recently...

Can you sense a theme...?

I've been enjoying some good yarns (pun totally intended) in 2014, and thought I might share my views on the books.

A Good Yarn  by Debbie Macomber
This was a cute novel which I enjoyed reading very very much - in fact, this book was one that got put in my bag so if I had 5 minutes I could read a few pages! I have read other books in the series, and so was looking forward to seeing what Macomber had in store this time. I found myself wanting to visit the store on Blossom Street, and make friends with the characters! It wasn't by any means the most challenging read, but it was emotive, and there were several moments of laughter, or sadness, or downright anger at some of the characters! I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for a lighthearted read about the joys of knitting and the friendships it can inspire.

The Yarn Whisperer  by Clara Parkes
This was an interestingly written book about how knitting can be a metaphor for life. Parkes shares anecdotes from her life, illustrated through knitting techniques and terminology such as casting on, steeking and dropped stitches. This was quite an easy book to just read a chapter here and there, as each chapter is written as a kind of mini-essay, contained in itself. A cleverly written book.

Knitting Yarns,  edited by Ann Hood.
I am a huge fan of Ann Hood - I frequently go back to her other book The Knitting Circle, as it is the first fictional book about knitting I read, and I love the characters. With Knitting Yarns, I knew Hood would not disappoint. This is an excellently put together book of a series of essays on knitting, written by various authors. From poems, to heartwrenching stories about relationships, to reminiscing about family members who passed on the hobby, they all intertwine to form a beautiful book surrounding the power of knitting to bring people together.


** I have not been endorsed by the authors at all... I just thought it would be nice to share my views on some nice books...

Friday Link Love...

I know, I know... these seem to be the only type of posts I do these days!
Well never fear, I have some other things which I can share with you in the next few days :-)

In the meantime...

These photos are awesome.
This board has only fuelled my love of Washi tape even more!
Hexie love - look at those spring colours!
Which reminds me... so glad to be able to post on this board now!
I like this quote - so very true.

Have a great weekend!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday...

Spring has sprung...

Friday Link Love...

Hello!

Just a few things I've found around the internet recently...

What would you say to your 6 year old self?
Pantone has chosen their colour of the year!
These look delicious...
I want one of these, it's so cool!
Some good advice.
These words are so lovely...

Have a good weekend!

A Tale of Two Socks...

 

Ta-Da! My latest project! The second sock of a pair started way back in September!

I seem to always be subject to the dreaded "Second Sock Syndrome"... I knit one sock, get bored or distracted with something else, and then finally get around to knitting the second one months later.

This is actually the second attempt at the second sock - due to my love/hate relationship with self-striping yarns. They are so fun to knit with, as the colours change before my eyes, and I never know how long it will be before the next colour... making a simple, somewhat boring stitch pattern more interesting.

However, when knitting socks this can be a bit of a nightmare... especially if you want the stripes to match! 

And this is the very dilemma I faced. Knit one sock? Lovely! The stripes are pretty and it all turned out fine.

Second sock started, and not much regard was given to the stripes. After knitting the leg (All 7" of it!!!) I realised that the stripes weren't going to match. Normally I wouldn't mind, and I would call it a funky quirk of the socks and be done with it... but the stripes were out by an inch, and maybe not even that... and it was getting to me. I really wanted them to match! So all 7" were ripped out, the beginning of the yarn repeat was found, and I started again.

Luckily, they look like they are going to match... keep your fingers crossed for me that they stay that way, eh?

Bekah