Yarn Along


Sometimes I am consumed with an overwhelming desire to cast on something new.  This weekend I gave in to that desire-that is how I live on the edge of life.  It gives me that roller coaster feeling, the one where you drop from a great height.  The new shawl is knit from Manos del Uruguay lace containing a blend of alpaca, silk and cashmere.  Oh so soft!  I've started twice on this pattern.  I did not like how tight the knitting looked on size four, so I upped the size to five.  Chunky needles for me ;)  Surprisingly, the pattern is one I can easily memorize, an added knitting bonus.  The yarn is kettle-dyed and is beautiful.

Yes...I'm reading the same book The Orchardist.  It's been a busy week and my reading time has been limited.  I'm half way through the novel and it's a captivating read.  I'm going to be sad when I read the last page.  When I was a teenager, I would try to purchase or borrow from the library the thickest books so they would last a long time.  I think I still do that at times.  My habit of judging a book by its cover has been decades old. Nothing wrong with that!

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining Ginny

Comments

  1. HannahJune 19, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    Oh - your sunshiney shall is going to be dreamy! I would go for bigger needles, too, but only because I'm far too lazy and impatient.
    I've promised myself that I will read some of the things I have already before purchasing The Orchardist but I'm very tempted by it.

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  2. Tracey ~ CloverJune 19, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    I think the thrill of casting on a new project is one of the best feelings in the world and I am so glad you got to experience it this week.
    What a beautiful yarn, I want to order some myself and in that color too!

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  3. AnonymousJune 19, 2013 at 7:38 AM

    I've found myself delaying finishing books because I'll be sad to be done :) When I figure it out I always feel kinda silly but what a compliment to the author.

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  4. Kathleen Shaw June 19, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    The yellow yarn looks so cheery. It will make a beautiful shawl. I am really excited about this book now. I know the feeling of not wanting a book to end. I always have to take a day to settle after a good book because they stick with me.

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  5. no spring chickenJune 19, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    I'm deciding right now to cast on an airy summer knit. Beautiful.

    Blessings, Debbie

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  6. flyingjenJune 19, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    I love that yellow color! I think that is funny that 5's are chunky needles for you! I don't think I have the patience to knit with small needles too often.

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  7. RosemaryJune 19, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    Oooh I love Laminaria ... It will be beautiful in that yellow! Can't wait to see how it grows. :)

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  8. stephJune 19, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    oh, we are such soul-mates....in (late) jr high is when I launched into Les Miserables and War and Peace!!! (Obviously, both could use a re-read!!) Got tickled....yes, you really live on the edge (like me)---casting on yet ANOTHER something!!!! Yours is beautiful--as all your knits are! Happy week, friend.

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  9. kjramstackJune 19, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    The Orchardist is on my "to read" list. Glad to hear that's it's a good one!

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  10. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    Snicker...living right there on the edge! I have had my eyes on Luminaria, but I think I may follow your lead and do Citron next.

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  11. Mama Gone GreenJune 19, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    lovely yarn!!

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  12. margeneJune 19, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    The Orchardist is one of my favorite books read in 2013. Your shawl looks summery.

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  13. ErinJune 19, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Oh that sounds like yummy yarn! I did the same thing with books when I was a kid- I would go up to the desk with 15-20 and at first my mom would insist I put some back since I wouldn't be able to read them all in a week. After a few weeks of me being out of reading material half way through the week she changed her mind. :)

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  14. JenJune 19, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    Whoa! That's some serious lace knitting!

    I, too, judge a book by its cover. ;-)

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  15. MelissaJune 19, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    That is going to be so gorgeous! Easy to memorize? Really? If you say so.....

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  16. LisaJune 19, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    I'm simply going to ditto Melissa's comment...my thoughts exactly! oh, and thanks for the prayers for my daughter-in-law. :) ~Lisa

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  17. momto5June 19, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    i had no idea that they made lace weight yarn. i love that stuff. :) great colorway as well.

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  18. DebbieJune 19, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    Your number 5 needle is our 3.75mm!! 4mm is what I mostly knit with, and I really like the patterns that need 5mm or 6mm. I would be so slow with tiny needles, I am slow enough at it is!

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  19. tessJune 19, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    So pretty!! I love that color - that kind of yellow is one of my favorites! And anything Manos is okay in my book... :)

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  20. Deborah HamiltonJune 19, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    Your shawl is going to be beautiful. I'm reading The Chili Queen. I seem to be stuck on Sandra Dallas books.

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  21. Kim June 19, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    Oh that colour, gorgeous!

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  22. Sarah ~ Crafts from the CwtchJune 19, 2013 at 4:56 PM

    Such a beautiful colour - so summery (not British summer, I hasten to add, it's mostly been grey and wet) but happy and full of promise. (WIsh I could wear yellow!)

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  23. JanetJune 19, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    Such a pretty sunny yellow yarn. Your shawl will be gorgeous.

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  24. elnsJune 19, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    I have lace knitting envy! I love your combo book/knitting photos. It's what my daydreams are made of.

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  25. A Guyra GirlJune 19, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Isn't cashmere just divine? So soft, so luscious, so very feminine! I love the colour and the way the shawl is working up, I can't wait to see the finished product! It sounds like I will have to add this book to my ever growing list! By the way, I just adore your header picture - it is beautiful.

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  26. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    It is so lacy and pretty. It is going to be gorgeous! Your book looks interesting too. I'm not knitting right now... just doing little crochet projects. I just finished The Glass Castle... it was really good!

    ~Liz

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  27. SueJune 19, 2013 at 11:46 PM

    I *love* that yarn and can't wait to see the finished shawl (yellow is my favorite color). I judge books by their covers, too.

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  28. debby emadianJune 20, 2013 at 3:35 AM

    I'm still knitting my lida shawl slowly because like you I've been busy. I'm still enjoying the process but like you am anxious to start another new pattern I can't wait to make. I've just started Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Still early days only a few pages in but it seems like a nice gentle read.

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  29. MisteaJune 20, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    Very pretty knitting in the gorgeous sunny colour.
    Casting on, I'm very good at that!
    Enjoy your book.

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  30. millefeuillesJune 20, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    That yellow is heavenly, isn't it? I love the thrill of starting a new pattern almost as much as finishing up a project! I think I'm going to order that book because it appeals to me.

    Happy end of week and knitting.

    Stephanie

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  31. tea with lucyJune 20, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    your work is so delicate and fine. beautiful.

    this looks like a good book to hunt down for my next read. i'm currently dipping into tim winton's book of short stories 'scission' whenever i get a moment.

    rachel xo

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  32. EileenJune 20, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    The knit is beautiful-love the yarn color ! Your book looks like a good read too. I too often pick books by their cover and have read some fantastic reads using this method.

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  33. TannaJune 20, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    Oh, my goodness! I just noticed this pattern earlier on Ravelry, Karen! This is going to be gorgeous! The yarn is luscious.

    I think your outing was a perfect one to refresh my spirit! Would have loved to have tagged along! blessings ~ tanna

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  34. Lady CordeliaJune 20, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    HI Friend!

    Yes, I think that is why I wasn't so good at knitting. I was so overwhelmed with the desire to start something new, I never finished everything. A real knitter can finish a project- and that is that.
    That book looks good...putting it on my want list.
    XO

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  35. KymberlyJune 20, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Lovely yarn. Sometimes that knitting bug just bites and needs something new to satisfy the hunger. Looks like this will be a wonderful shawl.

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  36. EmilyJune 20, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    This looks like such an interesting pattern! I can't wait to see your progress.

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  37. KrugthethinkerJune 20, 2013 at 10:14 PM

    Wow, that is just gorgeous yarn! I have been really into yellows and greens lately. I am re-reading The Brothers Karamazov, and feeling just as moved by it as I was in college, if not more. Such a beautiful novel, such an incredible understanding and portrayal of grace;)

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  38. KristenJune 21, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    It is beautiful yarn - so light and sunny! Pretty pattern, too....it will make a beautiful shawl.

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  39. AmandaJune 24, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    I've just finished reading the Orchardist. I liked it. Some people give it bad reviews because it is wordy but I like that she takes so much effort to be exact in her description. Hope you like it too!

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  40. JenniferJune 24, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    I wanted to get The Orchardist at the library for my trip and got "The Orchard" instead. Matters not because even with all that time, I only read two books.

    I just finished Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson, a real gripper, could not put it down!!

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  41. Judy S.June 26, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    I recently finished The Salt Road which was a great read. Our next book club book is The Fall of Giants which will take a while. I will be looking forward to seeing more of this shawl!

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