Yarn Along

Baby knits are so forgiving. Knit them too small and they make wonderful gifts, knit them too large and they just get put away a little longer. So shall be the case with this sweater. Intended for Emerson next Winter, it may be a Winter or two after that before she wears it. I had read a few comments on Ravelry about this pattern knitting up a little big. But I was shocked this morning, after weaving in the last end, to realise that the twelve month size I knitted actually fits Cohen. He turns four in two months.

Oh well, like I said, knits for little ones are so forgiving. I enjoyed knitting it and I'm pleased with the result, despite the size. I do believe I will knit it again. Though next time I will aim for it to be a lot smaller and a little longer, by adding an extra fan repeat at the bottom.

In terms of reading this week, Happier At Home is still the first book I reach for when I have a few moments, though those moments have been a bit scarce.

And you? What are you crafting or reading?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

As usual I have surrounded myself with knitting, books and gardening this past week. I cast off the cozy on the weekend and look forward to blocking it one warm day soon. Then I shall (nervously) choose some buttons before delivering it to it's new owner. I am going on with the Camilla Babe sweater for Emerson now.

"The real point of a garden is to increase the value of our lives. It gives us the best chance we have of fitting ourselves back into a world that cities make us forget. A garden locks you into the slow inevitable rolling out of the season, cycles of growth and decay, the lengthening of fays and shortening of shadows.  

A garden gives you pleasure, instills calm, grafts patience into your soul. Gardening slows you down, masks worries, puts them in proportion. A garden teaches you to be observant and how to look at things. You become less inclined to leap to quick conclusions. A garden hones your senses." page 77-78, The Curious Gardener, Anna Pavord

These paragraphs make me wonder if Anna Pavord is a knitter as well as a gardener? I see many parallels between the two, don't you? I picked up this book from the library whilst looking for something else. Despite it being a large print edition, which makes my eyes feel strange, I am enjoying it. It's a light hearted, humorous collection of gardening essays that follow the months. It is an English book, so much of the information isn't relevant to me as an Australian gardener. However, Anna's charming writing on topics like what to wear in the garden has won me over enough that I am happy to skim and flick to the parts of the book that interest, or are helpful, to me. Reading these sort of gardening memoirs is a new and delightful discovery for me.

What are you currently reading or creating?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

I took your advice about the magic loop method of knitting in the round. I unravelled the sleeve and ordered 100cm long circular needles. Unfortunately, the needles arrived from the UK before I had finished knitting the hot water bottle cozy I've been working on. Thus, my dedication to solely knitting the cozy gave way to my eagerness to attempt the new method. You were right though. I believe I am a magic loop convert. Now that I have confirmed this I intend to finish the cozy, less there be further distractions...

I sought out The Happiness Project after seeing it mentioned on Jodi's blog. Though usually one to shy away from anything that sounds corny or self-helpy, I had heard other good things about this book and Jodi gave me the gentle push I needed. I'm still still in the midst of the first chapter, but I am already enjoying it and looking forward to the rest of the book with anticipation. The 'Secrets of adulthood' in the first chapter include lessons we can probably all relate to, such as - 

People don't notice your mistakes as much as you think.

Most decisions don't require extensive research. 

Bring a sweater. 

By doing a little bit each day you can get a lot accomplished. 

You don't have to be good at everything. 

I have already placed a hold on Gretchen Rubin's second book, Happier at Home, through our local library. (They don't even have a copy yet. It's 'on order.' I am, however, already fifth in the queue. A positive sign that it's a good read?) I found an excerpt of the new book here. 

Have you read The Happiness Project? 

Do you have a happiness project of your own?

What are you reading or knitting?

Are you a magic looper?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

I am currently knitting sleeves for the 'Camilla Babe' sweater from last week and reading 'homegrown & handmade.' It is as practical a book as the title suggests, which I find encouraging. Deborah has a no nonsense approach. There are several recipes that I shall be taking note of. Inspired by the book and the warm days of late, I have been making plans for my Spring garden and dreaming about the chickens promised to me by my husband. However, as he insists that our fences need repairing/replacing first, and as he intends to build the coup himself, the chickens may be some time in coming. I will just have to make do with the book in the mean time.

Have you been knitting or reading lately?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

More difficult to resist than beautiful wool is beautiful wool on sale. The 'Camilla Babe' pattern has been sitting in my Ravelry queue for quite some time. So when noticed this Malabrigo Worsted for half price in the Jelly Wares sale I gave into temptation immediately. It's so soft and lovely. I also love the subtle colour changes. I cast on using the long tail cast on method for the first time. I was apprehensive about it initially. Now I'm a convert.

The pile of books on my bedside table has grown recently to the extent that is has toppled over on occasion. I'm reading and enjoying 'The Right Attitude to Rain' presently, and have quite a lovely collection of books to go on with.

What are you currently reading or knitting?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Raverly.