May Picks

I decided that since this month is my birthday, that I would indulge in two book and music picks. Here’s what I decided on:

While I would love to know who actually writes these, it’s fun to pretend that Richard Castle actually does! Reading these is rather like reading an episode of Castle, and they rather closely follow what is happening in the show at the time. Despite the hype made on the show about ‘scenes-with-a-rather-adult-nature,’ they aren’t quite as steamy as advertized, and fairly easily skipped over. So if you like the show Castle, you will most likely enjoy these books. A fun, ‘fluff’ read.

I can’t remember if I saw this book on Goodreads or via Bookbub or Fussy Librarian, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this take on Rumplestiltskin. I enjoyed all the details about the mill, I enjoyed that this is a story about restoration, and I enjoyed that fact that her prince was actually a banker. Disclaimer—there is magic involved in a real world setting, but it is a reworking of a fairy tale. Now I want to go weave something…

The Wind that Shakes the Barley I’ve enjoyed Lorna McKinnet ever since I first heard her rendition of “The Highwayman” and “The Lady of Shallot,” and this album is one that was lurking at the bottom of my wishlist for a few years till I had forgotten what was actually on it. This is an album of McKinnet’s new agey takes on several classic Irish and English folk songs. Some of them I prefer a little more lively, but it was a good listen nonetheless. Less of an Eastern sound, and more folkey.

The Civil Wars My sister introduced me to the Civil Wars with their album Barton Hollow about two years ago, and I just got around to buying this one. I really enjoyed it—the beautiful harmonies, the instrumentation, the hipster-folk feel of the whole thing. I just regret that like with most contemporary groups I start listening to, they break up just about when I start getting into them. I will be collecting the EP’s they released so as to enjoy the maximum of their music, and wistfully hoping that they might get back together so I can go visit my sister in Nashville and get to hear them.

Folk Songs of our Time As an extra, I’m going to say a word or two about this cassette. I grew up listening to oldies and folk music in the woodshop with my dad, and folk and classical in the house with my mom. My dad had this one Roger Whittaker cassette that I loved. It was my first introduction to many of my favorite folk songs, and housed the best (and only true!) tune to Burn’s “O my luve is like a red, red rose.” When I graduated university I was diving a suburban that had a tape deck, and I got the bright idea of tracking down a copy of this tape as the original had mysteriously vanished a few years previously. I found a copy on eBay, and it got me through some of the darkest days of working at Michael’s. When I went to Zambia, the tape disappeared, and though I looked diligently through the tape cupboard (yes, we still have one!) last Christmas, it was no where to be found. So, I tracked down another copy, from Amazon this time, and some returning missionaries brought it out for me. What a trip down memory lane! I turned the tracks into MP3 so I can listen to them on my iPod; they need to be cleaned up a little, but I am just so thrilled to have this album again. It’s amazing what memories music can stir up…

A Little Knitting and a Non-Raven Writing Desk

Oddly enough I have been rather busy with a little thing called SCHOOL, but I have managed to squeeze in a little bit of knitting around the edges of marking and preparing for classes. As I work through some professional development and some reading, I’ve managed to finish a few more dishcloths.

I’ve also made some good progress on the bonnet I’m making to go with my Regency outfit. This picture was taken shortly before I ripped out the whole blue band and redid it a size smaller, but it now looks just about the same. I just hope that the brim being one size and the band the next down won’t cause too many problems. I couldn’t face doing that bring again…

I’ve also been greatly enjoying the Cannon Hand Dyes yarn I won on the Stitch Sisters Podcast in the pattern A Second Chance For Mr. Rushworth from my 2014 Jane Austin Knits. I am a sucker for cables, and I’ve been enjoying the details in this sock pattern. What perfect timing—dry season is just starting, and my poor toes get mighty cold on the cement floors!

The other big news this week was my ‘stealing’ a lovely, old-fashioned writing desk from a guest house on station, and installing it in my room where it has already been used quite a bit this week. I love the concept of a writing desk--there is something so elegant about it!

What a pleasure to have a place devoted to keeping my letter writing supplies and my dip pens and ink! I look forward to many hours of elegant letter writing at my new work station.

Parting shot:

Who wouldn't want a Regency gown?

As you might have figured out, I have a thing for history, sewing, literature, and dressing up. I am a Ren Faire junkie, and I love watching Jane Austin movies. This holiday I decided to take another whack at the ‘Sense and Sensibility’ pattern since my first attempt was a) rather less than skillfully executed in more respects that I care to name, and b) I have lost a bit of weight since then, and now it REALLY didn’t fit me well. So, Beth gave me some cloth that would work (finding a SMALL print fabric in Zambia is rather an accomplishment), and I set to work.

The hardest part about this pattern is getting the bodice adjusted to your personal size. One of the things I love about it is that not only is the pattern well thought out, but there are some great ideas on the website to guide you through the process. Once I got that sorted out I was able to easily modify the rest of the gown and get it cut out. This time I did a much better job of sewing things together, and I even messed with the button on undersleeves. While the result is not perfect, I was delighted with what I had created. Here are a few pictures of me modeling my gown on a sweltering afternoon.

One of the features I love about this gown is the gathered back. I suppose this got out of hand and lead to the bustle, but I love the way this disguises some figure flaws.

With the fiddly button on undersleeves-

Without the sleeves!

Where do you plan to wear this outfit you might ask? Perhaps I’ll sip tea out of a tea cup while I write letters at my writing desk with a dip pen by candle light and channel my inner Jane. Perhaps I’ll be able to work it into a birthday party theme one of these days. Perhaps I’ll wear it some day next holiday. The point is not how much I’ll use it; the point was the journey of creation and knowing that I now have a Regency gown should I ever want one!

April Holiday

So, before the hoards arrive tomorrow I thought I’d do an update of what I’ve been up to this holiday. It’s been an odd holiday; it felt like it went really fast and I’ve been dealing with *stuff.* That being said, I did get some good knitting in!

A little ‘fluff’ piece of work—I love roses, and the cheap finishing high was totally irresistible.

I also tied out the crochet version of the towel topper. The verdict—kitch. I’m sticking with the knit one from now on.

I made a fun spiral hat while getting my geek-cred updated by watching all three Back to the Future movies. (charming circuitous timeline, and I loved the steam punk train!)

Some dishcloths while ‘in-servicing’ myself (plus my gift stash was low and my personal ones getting grungy…)

A hat in a pattern I like very much in a yarn I dislike very much (long story…)

And a baby blanket for a sweet little girl who has had more than her share of challenges since she was born about two months ago.

I also did a sewing project that deserves a post of its own, read some great books, enjoyed my Audible account immensely, chain watched most of the Marvel movies, and had some fun puttering about the kitchen. It still cracks me up that I’m considered grown up enough to have my own kitchen! Oh, and I finished the Firedrake socks; maybe a picture later. I have some socks lined up for knitting during the term, a shawl I can pick back up again, and a few other odds and ends I’d like to get done. Many of them from my Jane Austin Knits magazines… We shall see how much I get accomplished around my day job!

In closing, since today is Star Wars day,

April Picks

My book pick for this month was The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. This was recommended to me by my friend who wrote A Twist of Fae, and I found this a very enjoyable read. In fact, this book reminded me a little of Rebekah’s… A fun mashup of magic and technology, dragons and foundlings, this makes for a pleasant afternoon’s perusal.

I have been a fan of Chris Thile ever since my senior year of university when I really started to listen to Nickle Creek (right after they went on hiatus of course!) and discovered what a wonderful instrument a mandolin is. I have since listened with pleasure to his collaborations with Yo Yo Ma, his recording of Bach sonatas and partitas, and some of the work he has done with his own band, Punch Brothers. Somehow I missed this early recording of his, but it has become a fast favorite as I have enjoyed it this month. This is a fully instrumental, mostly bluegrass album that is a pleasure to listen to both actively and in the background. Makes me want to go practice something fast…

Merriadoc's Teacozy

When Merry came back from his adventures in the east, he was a taller and braver hobbit, but he still loved his comforts in true hobbit fashion. When he eventually settled down with the lovely Estella Bolger, he asked her to work a tea cozy using one of the designs from the armor that he brought back from Rohan. Estella pulled out her needles and came up with this charming, cabled cozy that is easily adapted to fit either a two or a four cup teapot. Every time they enjoyed afternoon tea together, Merry remembered the green fields of Rohan, and the beloved king he was able to serve for a little while.

Finished Size: 2 cup– Approx. 8” wide, and 7” tall
4 cup– Approx. 8” wide, and 9” tall

Supplies:
Approximately 180 yds worsted weight wool
Small amount of worsted weight wool in contrasting color for the tie
US size 6 circular or DPNs
Cable needle
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
11 stitches and 14 rows = 2” in stockinet stitch

Abbreviations:

K– Knit
P– Purl
RS—Right side of work
WS—Wrong side of work
T3B—(Twist 3 Back) Slip next stitch onto a cable needles and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then purl stitch from cable needle.
T3F—(Twist 3 Front) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needles and hold at front of work, purl next stitch from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
T4B—(Twist 4 Back) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then purl the two stitches from cable needle.
T4F—(Twist 4 Front) Slip next two stitches onto a cable needles and hold at front of work, purl next two stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
CB4B—(Cable 4 Back) Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.
CB4F—(Cable 4 Front) Slip the first two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

Directions:

First Half of the tea cozy:
Cast on 60 stitches.
Knit 6 rows of a K2, P2 rib, ending with a WS row.
Work the 16 rows of the cable pattern twice for a two cup teapot, or three times for a four cup teapot. Cut yarn and place stitches on a holder.
Second Half of the tea cozy:
Work as for first except don’t break the yarn after working cable pattern.

Joining:
Knit across the top of the second half of the tea cozy, place the stitches of the first half back on the needles and joining into a round knit across being careful to have the RS out.
After the joining round, *K4, YO, K2tog* 20 times around the whole tea cozy.
Knit 10 rows as a ruffle, cast off.

Finishing: Make a 24 inch long 3 stitch i-cord for a tie or crochet one. Sew the two bottom edges of the tea cozy together for about 1.5 to 2 inches depending on what will fit your pot nicely. If needed, sew up more of the top of the slits as well to insure maximum insulation. Weave in all ends, thread the cord through the top, and then enjoy a lovely cup of tea with a good book!

Interlocking Crosses cable from the Cable and Arans Harmony Guide.

Row 1: (RS) K2, P5, CB4B, P5, K1, P3, CB4B, P4, CB4B, P4, CB4B, P3, K1, P5, CB4B, P5, K2.
Row 2: (WS) P2, K5, P4, K5, P1, K3, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K3, P1, K5, P4, K5, P2.
Row 3: K2, P3, T4B, T4F, P3, K1, P2, T3B, T4F, T4B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P2, K1, P3, T4B, T4F, P3, K2.
Row 4: P2, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P1, K2, P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K2, P1, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P2.
Row 5: K2, P1, T4B, P4, T4F, P1, K1, P1, T3B, P3, CB4F, P4, CB4F, P3, T3F, P1, K1, P1, T4B, P4, T4F, P1, K2.
Row 6: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 7: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, T3B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P3, k2, P1, k1, 1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 8: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K3, P2, K3, P4, K3, P2, K3, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 9: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, K2, P3, CB4B, P3, K2, P3, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 10: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K3, P2, K3, P4, K3, P2, K3, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 11: K2, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K1, P1, K2, P3, T3F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P3, K2, P1, K!, P1, K2, P8, K2, P1, K2.
Row 12: P2, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1, P2, K8, P2, K1, P2.
Row 13: K2, P1, T4F, P4, T4B, P1, K1, P1, T3F, P3, CB4F, P4, CB4F, T3B, P1, K1, P1, T4F, P4, T4B, P1, K2.
Row 14: P2, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P1, K2, P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K2, P1, K3, P2, K4, P2, K3, P2.
Row 15: K2, P3, T4F, T4B, P3, K1, P2, T3F, T4B, T4F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P2, K1, P3, T4F, T4B, P3, K2.
Row 16: P2, K5, P4, K5, P1, K3, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K3, P1, K5, P4, K5, P2.

March Picks

Since I was teaching Ancient Rome in history this term, and since I am a passionate believer in matching excellent historical fiction with the study of a people and a time period, I decided that I would go ahead and get this book which had been sitting on my Amazon wishlist for quite some time. I had also heard it mentioned in my Emperors of Rome Great Course, so I was even more eager to finally read this book. Well, I was not disappointed! I think this author did an excellent job of making you understand how, shall we say, 'messy,' the lives of the Roman elite were without going into disgusting detail. The conniving, the moral bankruptcy, and the use of religion as a bludgeon are all well portrayed. I found this a hard to put down read, and while I won't be using it in my classroom with my tender middle school ears, this book deserves its reputation as a great piece of Roman historical fiction.

My music pick for this month is something else that has been sitting on my Amazon wishlist for quite some time. I grew up listening to Roger Whittaker, and since I wanted something Irish for March this album seemed a good choice. I also had this album on my wishlist because it has some of the songs on it from my all time favorite Whittaker album, Folk Songs for Our Time, this is only available as a cassette, 8-track, or LP. While I wasn't a huge fan of all his renditions of these common Irish folk songs, there were a few that I really do like, so I consider it money well spent. Now I just need to track down that cassette again and get it converted to digital format so I can't loose it again!

February Picks (yes I know it’s March!)

Well, I had the best of intentions of getting this up in February, but my life got rather…complicated…suddenly, I was sick, and I’m still expected to get my work done. *sigh* Here goes then!

For my Kindle purchase, I finally got the novel written my friend, Rebekah Shafer, A Twist of Fae. I greatly enjoyed it, and I’m not just saying that because my friend wrote it! A delightful mix of the hard boiled detective story and a fairy tale; my only complaints were a) it was too short, and b) the next one isn’t out yet! Such a nice treat.

For music, I indulged myself with the first Piano Guys album. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting based on my limited cruising of YouTube, but I have and am enjoying it nonetheless. It’s a little more ‘soft’ classical than I had thought; I can totally see why they have become so popular. I still like their single, “Let it Go” best of all their stuff that I have heard, but the Star Wars medley had me smiling. All in all a nice Valentine’s treat

A Tale of One Pair of Gloves and Four Hats

When I went home for Christmas I spent my usual goodly amount of time figuring out what my ‘trip knitting’ would be. I decided that as my mother had requested “Handknitted fingerless gloves in fingering weight with partial fingers,” I would use my many long hours on a plane to accomplish some stealth knitting. All the way from Lusaka to Dubai, in Dubai, and then from Dubai to Dallas I worked on the first pair. When I took my trip up north to Columbus and then down to Atlanta, I continued to knit away. Since I choose a really basic pattern, I used an arched cable pattern down the back of the hand to keep the knitting ennui away. I don’t have a picture of them yet (hint hint Mother!), but I was pretty happy with how they turned out. The worst part of the project? The fingers. I’ve always been a fan of fingerless gloves because there was no fiddly finger part! That being said, after getting a taste of real cold up in Ohio, I can see the appeal…

Once I arrived in Texas I quickly found myself some other knitting to occupy my hands. I decided that I was going to make hats for each of my three sisters as Christmas gifts. I had already made two pairs of socks and a scarf for said sisters, but what’s Christmas without frantic knitting? So, I finally bought the Verity pattern that been in my queue for forever, and made a green hat for Lucy.

Love, love, LOVE this pattern! That being done, I went looking for more ‘hipster’ patterns for my other two sisters. For Mercy I found “Shannon’s Slouchy Hat”—a quick, easy knit. I ended up adding a few stitches to it and adjusting the ribs accordingly; I might make myself one some day.

For Mary I choose the “C’mon Baby Twist and Slouch.” Again, I really liked this pattern; I can see making myself one. Because you know, I need so many hats here in the bush!

Well, after all that hat knitting, I still had a little time between Christmas and New Years, and since it was actually a little cold, I figured I should cash in one what hat wearing time I could. So, I made myself a Verity in a lovely teal color. I had great fun wearing it until I left to come back to my more usual tropical climes.

Thus, the story of the four hats I knit in December, and the pair of fingerless gloves that as my somewhat awed friend remarked were a real gift of love. Now, what shall I knit for next Christmas?

I made some yarn!

While I made some more progress on both of my blanket projects this week,

the big exciting thing I did was finish my very first skein of plied on the fly handspun. 31 grams of lovely green yarn that I'm admiring for awhile before matching it to a project.

I enjoyed this so much, that I couldn't help myself and pulled out a lovely roving of Mountain Color fiber that I bought awhile back and divided it up by color repeat,

And have started spinning with the shortest end. I'm going to be splitting each third into thirds again so that it's not too thick to spin with. I can't wait to see what the yarn looks like! I'm really noticing how a different fiber spins a little differently; this one took me awhile to get going. Now I'm starting to dream of a spinning wheel...

Other than being sick this week, not much went on. I staggered around trying to get the most urgent things accomplished while also not falling over. I'm feeling much better now; still rather snowed under with work, but at least able to breath deeper. I've been so tired these last two months; I can't wait to sleep, get caught up on life, and clear out/clean my house in April. Is it the holiday yet?

I've got blanket fever!

Sometimes, for reasons that I can not explain to save my life, I get gripped by these strong knitting urges that just won't leave me be until I've either cast on or been gripped by another one. For some reason lately (perhaps looking through Mason-Dixon Knitting is responsible...) I've been gripped by a powerful desire to knit blankets. Yes, me. Miss Sockista. So, after I finished this sweet little bonnet for a baby girl who will be arriving tomorrow,

and my second Wurm hat,

I rewarded myself by casting on a blanket for the same little girl. I'm doing the Baby Chalice Blanket. I only started on Friday night, so I have only done one pattern row so far. Hopefully it will actually look like something next week!

While I really wanted to start the baby blanket, the other thing that has been giving me a knitting itch is the Curve of Pursuit blanket that I saw at the start of the dangerous Log Cabin section in Mason-Dixon Knitting. Something about it just screamed my name, and what with my new furniture,

I just had to start a cozy lap blanket for dry season. So, here goes! So far I'm loving the simplicity of the garter stitch and the order of the pattern. It truly is the simple things in life...

The other thing I've really been working on this week is trying to get the rest of that green roving spun and plied. I should probably practice a bit more before diving into some of my 'nice' stuff, but I am getting better at this, and I'm loving the results. Now I just need to find something special to show off all my hard work!

Well, that about does it for this week. Here is the overall shot of my efforts,

and this week's parting shot:

January Picks

I’ve decided that in order to keep things under control, each month I get to choose a new Kindle book and a MP3 album. So, to catch up, here were January’s picks.

Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 1 was my January choice; I watched the movie on the plane, and then with my family once it was out on DVD, and I have to say that while the movie is a totally fun guilty pleasure, I loved the oldies in the soundtrack. So when I saw that they had actually published it all in one place I was thrilled! This album is also a guilty pleasure; I have a had a lot of fun singing along to this as I processed mangos and relaxed after school. Totally worth it!

Unbroken
I have to admit that I haven’t started this one yet; I am waiting for the term break so I can gobble it up and be an emotional wreck if I need to. The first thing I heard about this was that it was a movie directed by Angelina J. that was coming out in December—not terribly interested. But when I saw that the book was written by Laura Hillenbrand, then I was VERY interested. Her book Seabiscuit was so superbly written, that I decided it was worth trying out. I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve actually read it!

Spinning, a FO, and Valentines!

I’ve decided to play with my new collage app by making a collage of what’s on my needles (and in this case spindle as well!) every week to a) motivate myself, and b) record my progress. So, here an overview of what I’ve worked on this week:

Here is a closer look at something I just finished today—this adorable little bonnet from Jane Austin Knits 2014. I feel in love with this as soon as I saw it, and knew that it would have to be made for a certain little girl I love to knit for. I think I might have to make another one…

Something new I’ve tried this week is plying on the fly. Normally when you spin, you make something called a single which you then have to wind off your spindle, and ply together with another single or in a chain with itself to make yarn. Well, I’m learning to spin a length of single and then ply it up right then and there. It took me awhile to get my fingers around it, and yesterday I discovered a lump that didn’t ply properly, but overall I’m petty tickled with my efforts! I have some lovely rovings that I hope I feel confident enough to tackle this holiday…

Finally, after having to rip the pattern part out and a spectacular error with the heel that I don’t even want to discuss, here is a closer look at my finally working for me Smaug sock:

I’ve got another sock pattern from Jane Austin Knits 2014 that I’m itching to cast on, but I told myself I couldn’t cast on until I had finished one of my other pairs of socks. It so hard to be good sometimes…

Yesterday was the best Valentine's Day I've ever had at Sakeji. Not only was my 'rotic' and treat binge with Beth a lot of fun, but it was really neat to see the kids get really into making and giving valentines. I didn't do anything special for it this year; I cheated and bought a box of Pixar valentines before coming back, but I really enjoyed feeling like we were a) celebrating something and b) enjoying it! Here's a look at my 'loot'-

Parting shot: Just cause, and because I wish I could call this man...