Tea and Jam Shawl


This week I have been feverishly knitting away on a shawl that is addictive.  The design is simple and easy to memorize and the construction allows a knitter to knit until the yarn runs out.  That kind of shawl knitting is the best.  One more row has been my mantra and still there is yarn galore!  The wool was bought at a fiber festival many years ago and originally intended for a pair of socks for my husband.  I changed my mind because he is hard on socks so now I only knit with dedicated sock yarn with a nylon blend for maximum life span.  Speaking of socks, he needs more pairs....soon after the shawl, right?

Currently I'm reading two books, the one in the photo- The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is excellent.  The ending is not far for me and the story has me savoring every single word.  It is a must read book and I haven't finished reading it!  My other book is on my ipad and is borrowed from the elibrary.  Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell is a gentle easy read and I've paired this book with my frantic knitting during the daytime.

What are you knitting and reading?

Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams


Comments

  1. Kathleen Shaw January 8, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    The shawl is coming along nicely. I have one that I have recently picked back up and I realized that I didn't have much more to go. "One more row" is my mantra even when I know I should go to bed or change out the laundry. The book sounds very good. I'll have to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    The color of your shawl is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deb J. in UtahJanuary 8, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    I have heard that The Orphan Train is a good read...going to get that one from the library. Sounds like one I would enjoy! I love that blue yarn! Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnkeJanuary 8, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    Goodness, the shawl is gorgeous! Such a beautiful pattern! Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll have to add it to my list. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. LisaJanuary 8, 2014 at 8:59 AM

    So you, too, are knitting in blue. Can't wait to see it finished. Thanks for the book recommendations, Karen. :)

    My knitting consists of working my way through my ufo's and is going quite smoothly. I've been updating Ravelry, but just couldn't get my act together to do a yarn along post this week.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    Love love that color! So bright and happy on these cold days.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Shirley-AnnJanuary 8, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    I am ashamed to say that I have a pair of socks on the go that I cast on over a year ago! I have many pairs of handknit socks and they are my absolute favourite - but I can't say I enjoy the process very much, I usually shoot through the first sock and then it takes forever and a day to complete the second LOL.

    Are you keeping this shawl or is your lucky daughter going to inherit it :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. debby emadianJanuary 8, 2014 at 9:08 AM

    That's such an amazing name for a shawl. I can't make socks with pure wool either because I'm so heavy on them too. That's what I'm making at the moment, and still reading about Livingstone. Like you I'm really enjoying it, so I'm savouring the pages...fortunately there are a lot of them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. JoyJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:39 AM

    I think I'll add Orphan Train to my list. Thanks for the rec! The blue of your shawl is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  10. kjramstackJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    I have Orphan Train on my kindle right now but haven't started reading it yet. Glad to know it's worthwhile.

    ReplyDelete
  11. DonnaJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    Look at you knitting like the wind on that shawl! I love patterns that you can end when you run out of yarn. It takes the pressure off. I will have to add Orphan Train to the reading list is you like it so much!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tracey ~ CloverJanuary 8, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    I have Orphan Train on audible, but haven't started it yet,; I'm glad to hear it's good.

    You always pick the prettiest colors for your projects and that blue is especially nice and will look so pretty on you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JanetJanuary 8, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    Gorgeous blue yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  14. sylviaJanuary 8, 2014 at 1:05 PM

    I'm intrigued by your book recommendation, will check the Orphan Train out! and wow, you are knitting away on that shawl!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Erin @ Wild WhispersJanuary 8, 2014 at 2:29 PM

    Orphan Train is on my list... better get it from the library if you say it is that good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownJanuary 8, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    It's looking beautiful, such a lovely colour

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 2:43 PM

    Sounds like the best kind of pattern.
    I'll have to check the library for that book, sounds interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  18. DiannaJanuary 8, 2014 at 2:49 PM

    I love the shade of blue in your shawl yarn. It is going to be one stunning piece of work! Your books both sound interesting as well.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kim January 8, 2014 at 3:33 PM

    Such a beautiful colour Karen. I am working on a shawl too, although it will take me some time. I have a hat on the go too, which I hope to finish up soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnneJanuary 8, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    Beautiful blue yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Reinventing MotherJanuary 8, 2014 at 3:51 PM

    Such a pretty color!

    ReplyDelete
  22. ElaineJanuary 8, 2014 at 3:51 PM

    The shawl is beautiful! Could someone help me please? I don't see the name and tried tea and jam , etc on Ravelry and couldn't find it. Everyone else seems to know but my eyes aren't seeing it! Thanks....

    ReplyDelete
  23. ElaineJanuary 8, 2014 at 3:53 PM

    Never mind! I clicked on shawl and there was "Sugared Violets"....Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenJanuary 8, 2014 at 3:57 PM

      so glad you found it! It's a fun pattern :) Glad that you like it!

      Delete
  24. flyingjenJanuary 8, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    I have the Orphan Trail on my bookshelf of books to be read. I'll get around to it eventually. Wild has been there for 6 or 7 months and I just picked it up. I love the blue of your shawl. Such an electric color!

    ReplyDelete
  25. fjord girlJanuary 8, 2014 at 5:20 PM

    Eeeeap- your knits are always so beautiful Karen, gorgy color and pattern. I bet that it will come in handy to snuggle up in-this winter for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. SueJanuary 8, 2014 at 5:25 PM

    I'm adding this pattern to my queue--what a gorgeous shawl, and I love your yarn and color choice, too. The Orphan Train sounds like a good book. I'm going to see if my library has it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. SarahJanuary 8, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    That blue is beautiful! Thanks for the tips about yarn for socks- the speed at which thw few pairs I have made got holes has deterred me from trying many times but this year I decided to knit more of them!

    ReplyDelete
  28. CathieJJanuary 8, 2014 at 8:20 PM

    I love that blue yarn. I have been wanting to read The Orphan Train for quite some time but my library doesn't have it and I always forget to order it from another when I get home. I have to get on that.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mama Gone GreenJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:23 PM

    That color is so energizing. love it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. sustainablemumJanuary 9, 2014 at 5:38 AM

    He he I am glad I am not the only one who has the one more line mantra when I really should be doing something else......

    Beautiful colour yarn :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lisa UotinenJanuary 9, 2014 at 7:50 AM

    I am ready for a nice gentle read, especially after reading Wild! I saw that you commented on it over at my blog...just want to warn you that it does have language and adult situations which could be offensive. I just want you to know in case you do decide to seek it out.

    ReplyDelete
  32. stephJanuary 9, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    new books to add to my queue!!! :) Love the color----and construction of the shawl….ending a project with no bits left over. a dream!

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2014 at 10:26 AM

    Love the color of your shawl. It's such a vibrant blue.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Project TaraJanuary 9, 2014 at 11:45 AM

    Can't wait to see the finished shawl -- your projects are always an inspiration to me. I keep seeing Orphan Train here and there on the internet; perhaps it is a sign. Dang it! Not one month into 2014 and I already have a "to-read" list a mile long! (what a terrible problem, right? ;-) )

    ReplyDelete
  35. CaseyJanuary 9, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    Oh that blue - I LOVE it. Can't wait to see your FO.

    ReplyDelete
  36. KrugthethinkerJanuary 9, 2014 at 6:25 PM

    I love the name of this shawl! And the color is absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see it all finished! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Weekends

Image
  Good morning! How are you? How was your weekend? I had a great weekend but I didn't take any great photos. I've been wrapping presents a little bit each day instead of doing it all in one massive long day. This has made a difference in my joy as I wrap. Do you wrap all at once? Or do you do a little bit at a time? Miss Holly has been finding the sun spots and getting her 'tan' going. She is a sweetie. I have no idea what she is watching outside that window. She does that every day. My guess is probably birds or chipmunks but chipmunks should be resting now that it's super cold outside. Sadly I did not take any photos of my knitting, but I have been knitting! I continue to work on my husband's hat and I ripped out a pair of mitts I started (couldn't see the dark yarn with cabling) and started a much simpler pattern instead. Sunday was church then the laundry. I am getting excited for the upcoming holidays. The kids are coming back with the grandchildren and...
Read more