I started Romi's Mystery Shawl 2016 back in March — not right on time, but not too far behind. Late one evening, about half-way through Clue 2, I lost a couple of stitches off my needle… and set it down to fix on another day. This week, that day finally arrived, and now I'm set to begin Clue 3.
I'm happy to have my knitting mojo back, even just a little! For one thing, I'm trying to let a strained thumb heal, and knitting doesn't aggravate it as much as sewing. And for another, Kats' AKK Summer Knit-along – I'm sure you've heard of it by now — came along at just the right time with just the right kind of rules, along with the promise of cocktails & recipes.
So, here's what I'd like to accomplish this summer!
1) Romi’s Mystery Shawl 2016 (not so much a mystery anymore). Turns out, all I needed to do was tink back a couple of rows to get back on track! One must be in the right state of mind for that, though.
2) I’ve a soft spot for Kirsten Kapur's KALs, so have once again signed up for the TTL Mystery Shawl 2016.
3) The LOLA (sweater) has been languishing a bit, for various reasons, but I discovered more of the same yarn in stash (plus another option) so any concern I may have had about running out is now gone!
4) My Green Bay Packers 2015 Scoreboard Cowl needs to be finished by the start of the season (or, at least, the first cold weather game)!
5) I’d signed up for Werifesteria but it was such a busy time that I’d never even chosen yarn. I still don't have any yarn picked out, but I really like how that shawl turned out, so I think I’d like to do that.
6) and maybe 7) Lastly (but certainly not least), there’s a new granddaughter to knit for! I’d like to knit a sweater for Gin for fall/winter. I recently purchased some SweetGeorgia Yarn “Party of Five” (worsted weight, "Snapdragon") so would like to use that for something like Elwood, and maybe knit another along the same lines for my Jün. I sort of flamed out on the baby knitting for him before he was even born, but I’m ready!!
I have already read more this year than I have in quite some time, and may even have a shot at BINGO this summer for Mary's Summer Book Bingo 2016! Here's my card (I am open to suggestions):
Audio books had been a struggle in the past, but something that I really wanted to conquer this year and, thanks to some good choices, I am now on my 6th* audio book and have even signed up for Audible!
I just finished listening to The Golem and The Jinni — which, had I known was almost 20 hours long, I might not have done (but one continues to learn) — and because it was so long and I finished so close to "summer," I have included on my card! Really, there is little to no hope that I'll fill the entire card and my most promising "Bingo" lines are the "B" column or the 2nd or 4th rows, anyway, each with their own problems, though!
A book "that scares you." I immediately thought of Stephen King. I've never read any of his books because… they scare me! They are also all 600+ pages, at least the ones I've seen (he's written a lot of books). Has he written any "short" books?
I seem to have a lot of pretty long books on my list.
And "a play." That is so completely NOT my genre. Any recommendations?
*I am currently listening to The Boston Girl (which may or may not be in the correct Bingo category) read by Linda Lavin — and if ever there was a book+narrator match made in heaven, it's that one!
Good for you for picking up that shawl again! I can make book suggestions. For scary I’d recommend The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon. Not too long and kinda creepy. If you do want to read a Stephen King then I’d definitely go with Salem’s Lot.
I agree with Carole, Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot is both scary and one of his best. I will caution that I had to read the entire thing in one day so I could get a good night’s sleep. I was in college and was finishing it late at night on the couch. My mother came out because the lamp was on and scared the daylights out of me, so warn the fam not to creep up on you.
I would also say you get a total pass on however much you do or don’t knit for your grandkids. It’s great if you do, but you give them the much more valuable gift of your time, having a sense of being part of a larger family and more people who love them just because they exist. If every kid got only those things, our world would be a kinder place.
Audible has Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and others. You can count that as the play! You also might like Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler as it’s her first book. I am joining BOTNS and Kat’s KAL, as well as Kirsten’s Mystery! Friends encouraging friends…nothing is better!
I don’t think it will fit any of the spaces on your bingo card, but my favorite book is “Waiting for Snow in Havana” by Carlos Eire.
Thanks for the reminder—I signed up for the Through the Loops Mystery Shawl, too. I knit last year’s, and I had ordered yarn from Miss Babs but decided to go with something else at the last minute. I haven’t used that yarn yet, so I’m going to do this year’s shawl with it. It is an obnoxious, eye-searing bright green and a mellow denim blue. I think they *should* play nicely together.
Your new grand is dear—is she a ginger? In some of the pictures, that hair looks a little red to me.
yay for all the knitting and reading along! I have the “something scary” square on my card, too, and I’m going for Wednesday Wars, a novel about 7th grade… which sounds like just the right kind of scary to me! can’t wait to see your yarn for the TTL Mystery – your color combos are always so pretty.
Did you enjoy the Golem and the Jinni? I really liked it. I also loved the Boston Girl. If you haven’t read The Red Tent by the same author you might like it also. I’m also needing to put the finishing touches on my Scoreboard cowl, and I’m gearing up for Camp Loopy, first project is a shawl. Elwood looks like a good choice for both Gin and Jun. I like to put zippers in kids sweaters so they don’t eat the buttons and it is easier to put on and off. Good luck with the list.
“Until Tuesday” for day of the week. “American Sphinx” or “With Malice Toward None” for the Presidential biography.
I am so excited that you are joining us! That is a great list, and I agree with Margene – friends encouraging friends is the best! Have you read Tuesday’s with Morrie? That could get your “day of the week book” if you have not!
I am participating in the same world 🙂 though I hadn’t planned on TTL but I went to webs and some perfect yarn jumped into the basket. I’ve got the presidential biography on my card too…not sure who the heck to pick there!
That looks like a lot of fun! Under “by a small press” category, you could go with The Sentimentalists by Johanna Skibsrud. It was published here in NS by Gaspereau Press and won the Giller Prize.
You might try getting a cast recording of a play on Audible. I really enjoyed listening to The Importance of Being Earnest. Also, if you want to double count, The Golem and the Jinni is a debut.