What I made, by Sharon

I got sick on Saturday night. I'm testing negative to COVID, but it's that or the flu. I've felt pretty rotten, but have taken advantage of the opportunity to lie on the couch and read, a lot. I know that for the previous few weeks, I've been suggesting the my next book would be either the next book in the Greenwing and Dart series, or the next Thursday Murder Club. I though I was reading the next Thursday Murder club, but it turned out I missed the second in the series and went straight to the third. No harm done. Then I read the third Greenwing and Dart , which I am going to finish as soon as I finish writing this. Both of them were perfect for reading while sick - engaging and not difficult.  Next up is a NetGalley review copy of  Mrs Gulliver by Valerie Martin. It's getting mixed reviews, so I hope I like it. I have also had some chances to craft. I'm knitting a pair of socks by designer (and Unravelled participant) Sarah Jordan. They are called Trap-A-Zoid...

  Last week I was being indecisive about what to read next, but I was reading someone else's post (maybe in WWW Wednesday, I'm not sure) and she said she was't sure about Caleb's Crossing, but after she got into it she loved it, so I decided to read it.  It's beautifully written, and rather sad, and I think it's going to get sadder. I'm making slow progress, because I have been spending my time listening to Run Rose Run  by Dolly Parton and James Paterson. It's a blend of "country hick makes good" and a bit of a thriller, with a love story thrown in there. Even though it is not particularly original it is very fun. It's read with a full cast recording, including Dolly herself.   While listening to this I have been obsessively knitting these socks:   It's a really fun pattern, and the second sock has been quite relaxing, now that I have the hang of the pattern.  I won't have to worry about what I'm going to read for a bit,and th...

 I'm having a busy time of it, and I didn't take a lot of photos this weekend, but I did have a very good time. This weekend I knit, spun, made polymer clay earrings and crotcheted. I'm actually pretty impressed with managing to hit ALL the crafts, as well as going for a run (by myself, Leon is injured),  seeing Michelle Brazier at the Malthouse outdoor stage  having yum-cha with knitting friends, and still having a little bit of time left over to read.   

I just realised that in last weeks post I called it 6/2025 and failed to discuss what I'm reading next. I often write these posts quickly at work as a break from other things I'm meant to be doing, and that sometimes has repercussions!  So, last week I failed to say that my next book will be Intercepted by Alexa Martin, which is an American Football romance.  I haven't been reading a lot of romance recently, and the big American Football game happened this week and it's Valentines day so, even though I barely care about Aussie Rules, and care even less about American Football, it seemed timely to read this this week. So far it has been fun and airy and pleasant.  Next up - probably the next in  Victoria Goddard's   Greenwing and Dart  series if I'm still in the mood for light, otherwise if I want to get a little more literary, Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine brooks, which is the oldest book on my Kindle, and I do like to keep the books fresh. In k...

I'd seen Kate Davies' St Catherines  cardigan around since it was first released in 2020. I didn't have any interest in knitting it and then suddenly, overnight I got obsessed with making it.  Luckily I could scrape together the yarn from my stash, and the dark colour was the oldest yarn in my stash, which was very satisfying to use up. The yarn is proper woolly wool, a mix of Ixchel Tweed, Milloarchy Tweed and Marie Wallace British Breeds. Despite different yardages, they work very nicely together.  The pattern itself was a fairly straightforward, fun knit. Due to getting injured it took me a month to finish it, which felt very draggy to me, even though I crotchetted three baby cardigans as well. I am a monogamous and focused knitter, and when something drags me off that path, I don't like it.  I do like the finished garment. I had thought to wear it open, but because of the collar shaping it likes to sit backwards on the shoulders, so it re...

Last week I wasn't sure what I was going to read next - I chose  Volume II of Victoria Goddard's   Greenwing and Dart series Bee Sting Cake .   I enjoyed it more than the first one. Now I'm reading a review copy of  The Fortune Seller   by Rachel Kapelke-Dale I've only just started it. but I'm, really enjoying Rachel Kapelke-Dale's writing style. This is the story of Rose, who is at college, and whose friendship group are all, like her, equestrians. Unlike her, they are all rich. This feels like the only way it can end is in disaster. I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. I finished my St Catherine cardigan and I've blocked it! I'll be back on Friday with photos and a full project report. I've just finished crocheting my third and final baby jumper, and now I'm ready for a break from charity baby jumpers and this pattern for the moment. After this I've got some super-secret knitting, and then it's on to a series of smaller, ...

  This is part eight in a series of non-fiction book reviews, based on the idea that the books I request tell you everything you need to know about me. Today we have some poetry, a children's book from UNESCO and a craft book, because one of these would not be complete without a craft! Wonderful World of Amigurumi - 15  Adorable Amigurumi Creations - Khuc Cay    (Publishes 8 March 2024) Khuc is an experienced designer, with their own website and  many adorable pattern on Ravelry ( Ravelry: Pattern Search ). This book is clear and informative, with very cute patterns. It begins with a comprehensive introduction to this style of crochet,  including what tools the crafter needs, and continues to detailed, well written patters. Mainly the design (of both the projects and the book) feels clean, like a craft space just after it's been tidied, when you are ready to sit down and start working or playing. The patterns themselves are for very cute creatures, in...

 1) This weekend - Leon is running a strange sort of marathon tonight, where he runs 6.4 kms and then waits to the top of the hour to run the next 6.4kms. It's called a "backyard ultra" and we'll be up doing support until 2am. Not many plans for the rest of the weekend. 2) Charity knitting update: I finished my first two charity baby cardigans : I think I'll crotchet one more and then might knit a couple. This campaign finishes at the end of the month, so I might not get all of that knit, but I'll be happy to post off however many I have done at the end of the month. 3) I scored MORE yarn on Monday night. Could you walk away from a skein of Socks that Rock, in the perfect colour for a pair of socks for your man? I certainly could not. My last order with Blue-Moon Fiber Arts was in 2016 and since I mainly buy Australian yarn and dyers now and Tina from Blue Moon is sick so I doubt I will ever order more and I love this yarn. Thanks Catherine. 4) Kindle drama: I...