Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Mess Nest






My nest is a mess and I'm having guests. Say that three times fast. So now you know how my morning is going.

I was hoping to reveal the numerous {read downright greedy} yarn orders I placed last week but the postal service hasn't given me the pleasure of receiving them yet. But it has been a fun knitty week anyway.

We have tinkered with the spinning wheel we bought on Craigslist for $15 and have had surprisingly positive results. It takes quite the knack to get things going, which I gather can be the way with many spinning wheels. Julian says that even if we don't use it long term, it was worth his $15 to have a full scale model for the one he's going to build me. Then he cracks the joke about reinventing the wheel.

On Monday, I mailed those sweet mini balls of worsted wool to Kate @ Bluestocking for her scrappy hexie afghan. In return she mailed some two skeins of Kroy Sock in the same colorway that I've been needing to accompany my one. Along with them came this super sweet birdhouse place marker that I am tempted to wear Dottie-Angel-style as a charm in the button hole of my diaphanous mohair cardigan. And about that cardigan...

I grabbed some knitting books at the library, one of which was Classic Knits by Erika Knight. The pictures are stunning, and some of the patterns are lovely, too.  Said diaphanous cardigan is pictured above, though it has snaps which I actually enjoy but then the birdhouse charm is out the window. First world problems, I know.

I had been looking for a tall, aran weight sock pattern - this book has one. But when I go to the pattern to sort the workings out, it is all very confusing. The socks are apparently knit flat, though that is never said anywhere, and the only finishing notes are to do the right one to match the left and do the left one to match the right. Really? Apparently the reviewers on Amazon had similar feelings and I'm not sure the book is trustworthy for anything more than inspiration.

Lastly, I am on week two of my Poisonwood Bible read-along and I am really loving the book and the accompanying conversation. I do hope I can keep up - it is Wednesday already and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed!

It is also my turn to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and if I don't start right away I will lose my place in the library queue, so we will see how that goes this week, too. My dear friend says it is the only book in a long while that has caused her to openly weep. Excellent. Just what I need. *sigh* 

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I will podcast when the yarn comes in. 
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13 comments:

  1. I can't wait to hear all about this spinning wheel. They can be kind of fiddly depending on how old they are. And Julian is going to build one for you? How awesome is he?

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  2. What a sweet husband you have Amanda to build you a spinning wheel. They don't sell wheels locally here, but I did find a great shop in The Plains, VA that I plan on visiting again.
    The Nightingale is one of my top five books to ever read. The story will stay with you for a long time, you are going to love it.

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  3. I have a friend who give me her books after she reads them and she usually puts a post it on the book giving a short review...like made me cry. I'll be interested if that's what you think of the Nightingale when you read it. That way I won't read it at work.

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  4. Loved The Nightingale...made me cry, too. Don't miss it; I think you'll like it. :)

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  5. you do so much and have such fun doing it! that is such a funny joke, about the spinning wheel. have a great day! happy cleaning!

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  6. Okay, didn't know you had a blog. Found it on your ravelry profile. This is great! Now I will be procrastinating all day by reading your old posts. :-D Also, your house is fine. It is way cleaner than mine was when you came over yesterday (sorry!). Even if yours was a total disaster, spending time with you would be worth it.

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    1. Yes you did because I write a knitting post each Wednesday before I come to see you!! But I'm glad you're here now. :)

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    2. Okay, now I vaguely remember you saying that but it didn't really register. But now I found it! Yay!

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  7. I loved the Poisonwood Bible. Such a great book. Happy knitting this week! xoxo Andrea @ This Knitted Life

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  8. Oh great, so as well as encouraging me to cast on my shawl on Ravelry, getting me to re read Poisonwood Bible... Now I have to add The Nightingale to my reading list. I think meeting you may increase my WIPs pile by a rather large amount. Oh - and socks - I also must learn how to make socks. I'll take your spinning wheel and raise you a loom. Bought second hand last year and I need to figure out how to use it. Must make all the things and read all the books....

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  9. Correction - on Instagram, not Ravelry...

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  10. when I finish song of the lark on my kindle I'm reading the nightingale. promise. I cannot WAIT to see what you bought!!!!

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