Yarn Along


I am savoring every stitch of this shawl!  I've discovered the magic and delight of short row shaping.  It's dead simple, mindless for me and quite fun.  While knitting this shawl I'm already thinking of a purple and gray one.  Who knew garter stitch could be so engaging? I also finished the pair of socks for my son, I was disappointed overall with the amount of yardage in each skein (skimpy!) and had to dig through my sock yarn stash to finish the toes.  I know he will not mind, but I sure did.

Little Women is still my major read and I do enjoy it so, but it's a book that cannot be skimmed.  So I'm slowly reading each evening.  I think I'll start reading an hour or so during the day when I'm awake and alert. Overall, I remember most of the story line, but their are bits and pieces that have skipped my memory, so it's nice to read through again as a seasoned (old) adult.  One attribute I did notice is the foreshadowing of poor Beth..totally missed my radar when I was a young green reader.  In case you haven't read the book, I'll be evasive.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining Ginny

Comments

  1. Tracey ~ CloverSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    Great stripes on the shawl Karen and I think a grey and purple one would be awesome, one of my favorite color combos.

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  2. DiannaSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Your shawl is beautiful, Karen! I love seeing the knitted creations here on Wednesdays. Almost makes me want to learn something new! ;-) And I love Little Women!

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    Very pretty shawl!

    I'm familiar with the story, but I've yet to get around to reading it. I really should someday.

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  4. stephSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    the shawl is looking wonderful!!!! the more i knit, the more i'm drawn to the simple----and garter stitich is about my favorite look. I obviously need to add this to the growing pile of must-dos!!!

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  5. amySeptember 18, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Ooh, a re-read of Little Women is a fabulous idea!!

    I love blue & brown together. :)

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  6. fjord girlSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    I SO love the color way you chose Karen- the earthy browns and then the blues what a pretty shawl.

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  7. margeneSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    Garter stitch is engaging and allows the imagination to run. It would be fun to dream of various color combinations. Socks are forgiving in that the toes can be a different color and still look cool.
    I'm rereading Garden of Evening Mists. It's my favorite book of 2012 and my book group is reading it. It seems I barely knit any more.

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  8. AnkeSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    The shawl is turning out very, very nice. It'll look great with your jeans jacket! :-)

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  9. DonnaSeptember 18, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    I like that shawl! Brown and blue are one of my favorite color combinations. Imagine all the amazing colors you can combine?

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  10. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Love the stripes! I agree, there is a lot to Little Women that is over looked or forgotten (or just plain left out of the movies.) And def a story to slow down for :)

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  11. Deb HickmanSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    I love knitting shawls, great colour combo. I've seen the film many times but have never read Little Women, it's on my to read list. Deb x

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  12. JarkaSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    I need to find my old copy of Little Women and read it again :) - wow that shawl looks amazing, I wish I could knit with short rows, but for me it's just too frustrating ... I tried once but didn't even finish :P - I really do admire you for knitting that :) wow

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  13. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    I took my copy of Little Women off the shelf!! I'm planning on starting it maybe even today! I love your shawl. The long lines of stripes are gorgeous. Now I'm plotting a color scheme to make one of my own!

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  14. HannahSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    Your shawl is looking wonderful. I have to admit that I enjoyed knitting the short rows of my shift of focus cardigan. I think all of that turning makes you work faster because it's difficult to stop with no row ending! I do panic a bit about dropped stitches although I'm sure that worries you a lot less as you're experienced enough to fix it!

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  15. flyingjenSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    Great colors and I think purple and grey would be stunning! I haven't read Little Women in ages. If I ever get through this shelf of books, I may have to re read it.

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  16. ErinSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Beautiful shawl! I think gray and purple will be a lovely combo for another shawl. I'm planning one of my own, but have to find some time for it and finish a few projects first.

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  17. Kim September 18, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    The shawl is gorgeous, those colours together look great. I have always loved blue and brown together :)

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  18. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    I must admit, I have tried a couple of times to get into "Little Women" but just have never managed :( Your shawl is looking lovely, love the stripes.
    x
    Natalie
    Marigolds' Loft

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  19. SueSeptember 18, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    I ♥ garter stitch, short rows, and YOUR SHAWL!!!Great color scheme--can't wait to see it finished.

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  20. BonnySeptember 18, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Gorgeous colors on this shawl and I think your planned purple and gray one will be lovely also. I'm having a tough time finding new books that seem worthy of my reading time so I'm rereading several this week, which I hardly ever do. Little Women looks like it might be a really worthwhile reread so I think I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

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  21. BeatriceSeptember 18, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    I love the pattern & shawl! I have some special locally grown hand dyed fingering weight that I am looking for a good pattern for, and this one might be it!

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  22. TannaSeptember 18, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    Hey, Karen... I LOVE that shawl; and, I have been amazed at the joy of the garter stitch + short rows this year, too. Who would have thought? ;) Your colors are just so beautiful. blessings ~ tanna

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    Love the shawl and as a fairly new knitter I really *love* the garter stitch. :) I am knitting a scarf but not finding much time for reading, except for with my children.

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  24. debby emadianSeptember 18, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Like the stripes...I'm still knitting my shift of focus cardigan in garter stitch, it's so easy it just flies too and still on the Accidental Tourist.

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  25. the habit of beingSeptember 18, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    Little Women is one of those fab books that offers you something new with each reading. And stripes! LOVE stripes.

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  26. Reinventing MotherSeptember 18, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    The shawl is wonderful! Love little women. I have 4 daughters of my own and we loved the book and the movie.

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  27. RosemarySeptember 18, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    The shawl is looking lovely ... I think purple and grey would be a wonderful combination too!

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  28. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    Little Women is one of my most love books and Author. I have ready her other books as well. I like the combinations of colors on your shawl.

    With All That I Am
    Carrie The Handmade Homemaker

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  29. kathy bSeptember 18, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    knitting a cabled baby blanket. reading the book Homers Odyssey about a blind cat. (like my new kitten Magpie)

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  30. JanetSeptember 18, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Your shawl looks terrific, Karen. Purple and gray would go well too.

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  31. Kerry CoganSeptember 18, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    There is something magical about a simple garter stitch, isn't there? Looks lovely. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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  32. LisaSeptember 18, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    indeed garter shawls are a gift for so many reasons. :) You are speedy with your needles! The daughter and I are reading Little Women together later this school year and are looking forward to it!

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  33. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Pretty shawl... And, I have that book, (found it at the church yard sale), but have not read it yet. I don't even remember if I read it in my younger years! I do remember having to read Anne Frank in Jr. High School. Truthfully, I read bits and pieces... just enough to do a report to make the teacher happy!

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  34. azwoolgirlSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    Beautiful shawl! Oh my, you're reading one of my all time favorites! I may have to dig out my copy to read :)

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  35. WendySeptember 19, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    Blue and brown has always been one of my favorite color combos! I haven't read Little Women in quite awhile; it's always fun to go back and read old favorites!

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  36. SarahSeptember 19, 2013 at 1:49 AM

    I love your shawl! The colors are sweet. I was just looking up short row knitting because I hear it referenced so often and just have no clue what that even means. Even after a little research I still have no clue but will figure it out whenever that new project ends up calling for it!

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  37. elnsSeptember 19, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    Love the colors of your shawl. Wish I was reading...

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  38. ~koSeptember 19, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    Oh Little Women.....I need to pull that out again. And what a perfect season for reading it!

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  39. TaraSeptember 19, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Perfect fall color combo for that shawl pattern. I've been finding more and more interesting things knit in garter stitch; easy patterns that certainly don't look like "beginner" works. Love Little Women. I've read the book twice but couldn't even tell you how many times I've watched the movie version that stars Winnona Ryder as Jo.

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  40. Judy S.September 19, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    I LOVE the colors of this shawl, Karen! What yarn are you using? Have you read March by Geraldine Brooks? It's a novel about the father in Little Women and is supposed to be good. I want to reread Little Women, too, and also Little Men as I recall liking that one also.

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  41. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    That is a book I need to read again, adding to my list now.

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  42. UnknownSeptember 21, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    I just love the colors in your shawl.....perfect! Thanks for the prayers for my Mom...she is out of the hospital but has a long road to recovery so I've packed up my kids and the knitting and will be living with her for a while! I'm hoping to get some new projects on the needles this weekend! happy knitting!!

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