Currently on the Needles


As you know, I'm knee deep in holiday knitting.  I have yet to knit:  two fair isle hats, a wurm hat, and a cowl by Christmas day (and maybe a pair of socks...).  Yet yesterday, I set aside some time to start a lace weight shawl for myself.  Many of you might think this is thwarting my self imposed goals, not so!  I consider this a self care knitting project.  I was quite joyful during my self indulgent hour of knitting.

The amethyst shawl is the Asana Shawl and I am thrilled to be facing miles and miles of garter stitch.  Who knew I'd be such a fan of this squishy stitch pattern.

I am still reading Alexander Hamilton and enjoying it immensely.  I'll be reading this for quite some time and I'm in this for the long haul.  I started Commonwealth a few days ago.  I have no opinions as of yet but so far I'm enjoying the plot.

Oh hey!  I'm having a giveaway hurry up to enter by Thursday midnight!

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

Comments

  1. BonnyNovember 30, 2016 at 7:55 AM

    I love the color and design of your new shawl. I've never thought about a self care knitting project but I think you're right; a joyful hour can rejuvenate us to get going with some Christmas knitting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JuliannNovember 30, 2016 at 8:29 AM

    That book is in my TBR stack too. Enjoy your knitting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Caffeine GirlNovember 30, 2016 at 8:56 AM

    You have an ambitious knitting plan ahead of you for this month. I wish you luck!
    I'll be interested to hear what you think of Commonwealth.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kristieinbcNovember 30, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    That shawl is very nice, and a little self-care at this time of the year, when we are working so hard to make things for others, is important.

    ReplyDelete
  5. stephNovember 30, 2016 at 9:49 AM

    there's been a huge buzz about commonwealth around here (ann patchett owns the bookstore we go to in nashville!) anxious to see how you like it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jeannie Gray KnitsNovember 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM

    Wow! Your shawl is going to be beautiful!.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AsKatKnitsNovember 30, 2016 at 10:24 AM

    I likewise have some personal projects going while knitting gifts - it is helpful to keep the recipient guessing as to whether or not you are knitting for them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. kjramstackNovember 30, 2016 at 10:48 AM

    I just finished a little ear flap cap for my God Daughter and that is the ONLY Christmas knitting I decided to do this year. I look forward to seeing how your projects turn out.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AlinaNovember 30, 2016 at 10:50 AM

    This is the perfect shade of burgundy for me! Definitely want to make something in this color as soon as possible :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousNovember 30, 2016 at 11:28 AM

    The color of your shawl is lovely. Sometimes you just have to make something for yourself.

    Reading: Nothing . . . it's been a hectic week of getting "business" done

    Knitting: Hated everything. Pulled it all off the needles and started a Bosc Pear Shawl and a pair of Owlie Socks. Now I need to find something simple for when I'm car knitting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownNovember 30, 2016 at 12:03 PM

    I've got multiple books going at the moment, and I'm hoping to get a YA post up today to share, but I'm just not sure it's going to happen! Our final humanities co-op class meets this afternoon, and I've much to do to get ready!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Andrea @ This Knitted LifeNovember 30, 2016 at 12:38 PM

    Aw, garter for now...but looks like you will hit lace soon enough! I am woefully behind on my holiday knitting. So much so, that I now aim to finish by June.

    I am glad you are taking good care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  13. GraceNovember 30, 2016 at 1:59 PM

    I love the color of your new shawl. I really enjoyed Commonwealth, I hope you do also!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Needles and WoolNovember 30, 2016 at 2:02 PM

    I like the color of the shawl! we do need to take a break to knit something when inspired once an awhile it is good for us I agree. hope you enjoy the book! thanks for dropping by my blog :)
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  15. ZauberflinkNovember 30, 2016 at 2:04 PM

    You are so right to have a little knitting break from holiday knitting ;-) The colour of your self indulgence looks beautiful and very festive!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Amy at love made my homeNovember 30, 2016 at 4:21 PM

    Enjoy your busy knitting time!

    ReplyDelete
  17. apicturebookmindNovember 30, 2016 at 4:42 PM

    Oh wow, Karen! So much holiday knitting to be done, but judging by your knitting speed, you'll be done in no time ;-) And the shawl you're knitting for yourself looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. KwizgiverNovember 30, 2016 at 8:10 PM

    What a gorgeous shawl--the yarn is perfect!

    I loved Commonwealth. I hope you enjoy it, too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. RebeccaNovember 30, 2016 at 10:08 PM

    I'm looking forward to your review of Commonwealth as it is on my list to read. You definitely need to spend a bit of time on yourself knitting a shawl ... that is how we survive all the crazy Christmas knitting!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kim November 30, 2016 at 10:22 PM

    I love that you are knitting something for you in the midst of holiday knitting..that is the ultimate in self care. It's a beautiful colour Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  21. mamasmercantileDecember 1, 2016 at 6:03 AM

    It is so wonderful that you are taking care of your own wellbeing in this chaotic season, enjoy the precious moments you give yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  22. DebbieDecember 1, 2016 at 8:13 AM

    oh dear - i am glad i am not your knitting self. perhaps that is barely a challenge for you!! i really like the color of this yarn - very rich looking!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousDecember 1, 2016 at 6:18 PM

    Good for you on treating yourself to a new shawl. I'm trying to finish up the last Christmas sock; what a broken record I sound like. I just finished my YA witch book.

    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