Currently on the Needles



I have finished knitting that second sock up there in my photo.  I only have to weave in the ends today and snap a few photos.  Done!  I spent most of last night knitting from the gusset to the toes.  I do love that part of the sock and now I need to rest my hands and switch to relaxed knitting, for some reason I tend to knit aggressively on sock projects.  Switching to wooden needles has helped immensely but I guess six-seven hours in one go is a bit much for the hand and arm muscles...

I'm about half way through the short story collection by Alice Munro, much darker than I thought it would be based on the title of the book.  However, as with all stories, some are good, some are weird and some are in between.  Also in the spirit of Christmas, I've decided to re read A Christmas Story the best story of redemption and human kindness.

How about you?  What are you reading and knitting?

Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

Comments

  1. stephDecember 17, 2014 at 8:03 AM

    and i like the quilt under all the wooly goodness! i'll be tucking in ends today, too (umaro is finished)....now what? :) !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HeatherDecember 17, 2014 at 8:36 AM

    Love the socks! I am knitting up some little gnome dolls for my newest little one and my newest niece. And I just finished reading Frugavore, which is a great book that talks about making the most of a peasant diet.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barbara at Knitting | Work in ProgressDecember 17, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    Lovely socks. And you're right, using different needles can make all the difference.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnkeDecember 17, 2014 at 9:13 AM

    I don't know why, but " I tend to knit aggressively on socks" really cracked me up. I do hope you have a relaxing project up next. I am knitting on a dress right now and last night just about lost it. I had bought some new needles and they broke right in the middle of the row! Grrr... Luckily it's not a difficult pattern and I was able to pick up the stitches pretty easily.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim December 17, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Love the socks, and yay for finishing them. I finished up my last minute knitting project last night, felt good to cast it off :) Have the most wonderful day Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Reinventing MotherDecember 17, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Love!!!! I'm trying to finish socks as well! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DonnaDecember 17, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    I find I have to switch between the sock knitting with small needles to a project with larger needles. And the cotton - that can only be worked on for so long. Must take care of those hands.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tracey ~ CloverDecember 17, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    I have one more gift to finish up and then all of my Christmas knitting is complete! Is it bad that I am ready for a little selfish knitting?
    I hope you are enjoying a great day. When do the children arrive?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2014 at 8:14 AM

      Our son arrives on Saturday and our daughter the following Tuesday :) I'm looking forward to a full house!

      Delete
  9. MonicaDecember 17, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    I totally forgo that today was Wednesday and I didn't get a Yarn Along post up. Oh well, I am working on project 2 of tincanknits.com. Nothing that I should be... that skirt for my daughter! :) Love the socks! Wish I could make those now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ericaDecember 17, 2014 at 10:26 AM

    you are right... there wasn't much happiness in those collection of stories !!
    Ms. Munro can really tap into darkness.
    in a happier note... your socks are looking beautiful !!!
    Have a great day Karen

    ReplyDelete
  11. LauraDecember 17, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    That's definitely a long time to be knitting - not surprised you're feeling it! But the socks look great :) Hope you find something more relaxing to knit this week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. elizabethDecember 17, 2014 at 11:08 AM

    yay for finished socks!!!! :))))) that copy of the Christmas Carol is beautiful! have a great day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Judy S.December 17, 2014 at 11:12 AM

    Good job on the socks! I always enjoy seeing what you are reading. MY DH really liked the math one. I just finished Benedict Hall which takes place here in Seattle after WWI and loved it. I'm still working on March which pairs well with Little Women as it's all about their father who is absent in the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2014 at 8:15 AM

      love your book themed knitting! glad your husband liked the math novel, I don't think my son started it yet.

      Delete
  14. SarahDecember 17, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    Beautiful socks. I can't believe I've never read A Christmas Carol as far as I can remember, and I intended to try this year but it's just been too busy. Someday. I hope you have a really peaceful and blessed day!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pat MofjeldDecember 17, 2014 at 12:47 PM

    I'm trying to "rest y hands" after an 8 hour marathon to get two caps knit and into a package in the mail. They were blocked by placing them on a dog gate leaned against a box--with a fan blowing on them! LOL!!! The vest for my husband won't be done by Christmas but that is okay...will be done soon but I'm not going crazy finishing it. Remind me I need to get started July 25th instead of Thanksgiving next year! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2014 at 8:16 AM

      for that reason I try to knit all year round! then the pressure is off.

      Delete
  16. TahneeDecember 17, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    The socks are looking great. I'm currently working on a hat and it's just flying off the needles.

    ReplyDelete
  17. apicturebookmindDecember 17, 2014 at 2:53 PM

    Lovely socks! I love the part from gusset to toe too! I just finished the two fox scarves as a Christmas present and Kntting from gusset to toe on my second sock of my December pair.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amy at love made my homeDecember 17, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    I'm not surprised that you are worn out after 7 hours knitting!! You deserve an evening off - unless you want to knit of course!! I know the temptations of yarn! The socks look so lovely and cosy and snuggly!! Happy Christmas! xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. kathy bDecember 17, 2014 at 5:12 PM

    Finished knitting my READERS wrap. A sort of stole with pockets! I'm about to wear it for the first time.
    Im not reading currently; too much to do this time of year.
    I love your socks

    ReplyDelete
  20. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageDecember 17, 2014 at 11:35 PM

    That's pretty yarn and nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  21. CatherineDecember 18, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    A Christmas Carol is a wonderful book and every year I look forward to the reruns of the old film starring Alistair Sim. Probably the best version I have ever seen even though it dates from 1951. One day I will have a go at socks. I have knitted since the age of 7 (so 54 years) but never tried socks yet!

    ReplyDelete
  22. millefeuillesDecember 18, 2014 at 3:20 PM

    Three cheers for the second sock AND A Christmas Carol! And Karen, your blanket in the previous post is absolutely amazing. I'm in awe.

    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownDecember 18, 2014 at 5:01 PM

    Nice quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Melissa Marie December 18, 2014 at 6:33 PM

    I want to read the Christmas Carol too! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  25. NicoleDecember 18, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    My re-reading for Christmas is always A Christmas Carol. LOVE it! I'm not sure I'll get to it before Christmas comes, though....seeing that there's always so much knitting to do!

    ReplyDelete
  26. sustainablemumDecember 19, 2014 at 3:16 AM

    There is something satisfying about finishing the second sock. I have recently cast on a sock, my first in a couple of years! Love the stripes on the yarn you have used :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yanic A.December 22, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    The socks are just beautiful. Love all those deep chocolate colors. That is my goal in knitting for 2015 : learn to use circular needles and knit my first pair of socks! Do you quilt as well? That table topper is just beautiful.

    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

Knitting News

Image
  Good morning to you! How are you? I'm excited about my hat that I've been knitting enjoying the sea of stockinette stitches. When I first started the hat I thought it would be too small, now I wonder if it will be too big. Gah. I will find out soon I guess. I wish the photo about showed how beautiful the colors are in real life, you'll have to trust me on this! Below is my next knitting project, the habitation throw . I will definitely use the pink and gray, I'm still not sure about that purple, I might have a look-see in my stash and do another ponder about that color. I chose this pattern because I can use up some of my stash and I adore Helen Stewart's patterns. What are you working on this week? Also: I will probably not be posting this Friday and the following Monday because of my family visiting. I hope to be back next Wednesday (unless I change my mind).
Read more