What I made, by Sharon

What a week that was! I know we are all in the same boat (that boat being our own homes) it was my first week in lockdown, and it was not boring at all. They decided to go ahead with our building renovations, the scaffolding is going up today. I'm not pleased about loosing my balcony for the next 2 months, but it's kind of exciting to have something happening. People arriving and leaving and making noise, some rythm and action my days. Anyway, it's happening, so I may as well make the most of it, right?  I normally mediate on the balcony, so this morning I went into the building's courtyard. It's mainly a lightwell, but all but three plant pots have arrived in the last year, from where, I do not know. The only problem is that the windows on the left are straight into people's flats. I wouldn't work out or do anything that makes noise there, but it was a nice quiet place to sit and breathe. In reading and knitting I am working on all the same things I ...

I finished these two baby surprise jackets this week, but between them they have 10 buttons to sew on, and sewing on buttons is not my favourite thing.  Blocked photos when they have had their bath, which is right after I sew the buttons on, which is right after I press "publish" on this, since the babies they are for are already born. I threw together a sock knitting kit on Monday night, since I was short on time and didn't have any knitting on the go. I used this neon Socks Yeah that I bought in Edinburgh (from Rachel Coopey herself, thank for asking) and if that won't brighten these grey winter days nothing will! I'm knitting a pair of shorty socks my Trudy Hertaas , one of my favourite short sock designers. This photo doesn't actually capture the true brightness of the neon pink yarn. My intention was to finish these during the week and then start Chuck on the weekend, but I'm home sick today, so I cast on for it. It's only 4pm and I'...

Ah Wednesday, you come around so fast. I feel like every Unravelled and Yarnalong since I finished The Dress , I’ve said ‘I’ve just finished something small, and I’m about to start something else small, but I’ve been working on my Blankie ”, and this week was almost like that. I’ve almost finished a pair of baby booties, which I will photograph properly  and talk about on Thursday for Once Upon a Sock. I was going to knit something small next, because I really didn’t have any major knitting plans (except the blanket, the endless blanket) BUT. Sonia of Richmond Knitters fame is knitting a Soldotna Crop to wear to Bendigo. At least two of the other knitters are as well. I was joking that I would knit one, but I don’t have the yarn. Sonia decided she wouldn’t let that stop me, and said she would find some yarn for me in her stash. At this point I thought we were joking, but no. On the weekend I got a text from her with some stunning yarn selections. I didn’t go to Knit Night...

Welcome to Yarnalong for June. This month I am knitting and reading things that I've been meaning to get around to for ages. The best thing is both of them were worth the wait!  I'm knitting the Still Light Tunic . I've been wanting to knit a dress since early this year. I bought the yarn in April, swatched and then just didn't cast on. I finally started it last week, and it's growing nicely. I'm enjoying it, and if it works out like I hope it wil;l be a useful addition to my wardrobe. I'm reading Station 11 . Everyone was reading this is 2016, and I had it in my "to be read" list, but I was a bit burnt out on post-apocalyptic fiction. The only reason I actually started it was because it had been on my Kindle for ever, and I thought I should read or delete it. Despite my initial lack of enthusiasm this book had me by the second page. It's engaging, and interesting and character driven and I can't believe I have to go to work, when ...

It suddenly got very busy in my life - I'm not sure with what. Maybe just going back to work, which is why this photo was taken on the street, when I had 5 minutes in between work and an appointment. I did also manage to sneak in a round or two of knitting, so there is that. I am currently knitting a pair of House Martel socks for Leon. Named after one of the now extinct great houses of Westeros, it feels very fitting, since Game of Thrones is back and bigger than ever. I started the second sock on Tuesday while watching the third episode, so it might come out tighter than the first sock - it was a pretty tense episode. I've just started reading Kings of the Wyld which seems like a good read so far - it's a fantasy novel about a band of mercenaries who split up and got old, and now for reasons, they are putting the band back together. Seems like good fun with a bit of heart, but I've only just started it, so stay tuned for a full opinion later. If you want to k...

What's free is the hat pattern (Barley by Tin Can Knits). I am knitting it out of yarn left over from a project last year, so that's like it's free, right? And I'm giving it away to KOGO , so it will be free to help someone. I had nothing on the needles on Sunday night, and I needed to get ready for knit night on Monday, so I threw this hat project in my bag. Very quick, very easy. it's fun to be knitting on 5mm needles, after doing so much knitting on 2mm needles.  I'm reading The Tiger Catcher by Paulina Simons. I am not very far through it, and it's the first of a trilogy. So far I am enjoying it, but it's mainly been background and initial character development. The book was free because it is from NetGalley , which also means it hasn't been released yet. Based on what I have read so far and Paulina Simon's previous books (Tully, Red Leaves, The Bronze Horseman)I would recommend it. If you want to find all my book reviews, I'm Sh...

Welcome to the March Yarnalong . I'm, just starting my next knitting project, Reagan by Elizabeth Kreamar.I swatched on the weekend ,but only got cast on this evening, so I don't have a whole lot to show for it yet.  Given that its a lace cardigan knit with fingering weight yarn, I think we'll be seeing this one for a while. I'm reading A Gentleman in Moscow I'm about half way through it, and mainly enjoying it, although it's an odd book, not following a quite linear narrative structure. I'm listening to No One-Tells You This a memoir by Glynnis MacNicole. I'm two thirds of the way through and not really enjoying it. it bills itself as a memoir about "If the story doesn’t end with marriage or a child, what then?" but it's just the ramblings of a really self involved single woman, who thinks everything is about her, and who seems to be struggling to see marriage and children as anything but the default position. Weird for som...

Welcome to Yarnalong for February.  I'm taking part in a six week knitalong in the Woolgathering group, where we knit patterns and yarn from Australian and Kiwi designers and yarn producers. it's called the KangaKiwi Kal , which I find absolutely charming. I'm knitting with White Gum Wool , organically grown in Tasmania, and processed in New Zealand. This is the beginning of Leon's Winter Set 2019, from Kate Jordan's pattern Alight mitts. It's a charming pattern, and I'm really enjoying it. I've just started the second mitt. Here's a slightly overexposed pic of the first, thumb still pending: I'm reading another Netgalley book California Girls a light domestic "chick lit" book that is quite pleasant. It's a relaxing, interesting engaging read and I recommend it. It's a good week when both the knitting and reading feel enjoyable and relaxing! If you want to find all my book reviews, I'm SharonDblk on Goodreads...

I'm back at work today, and that was the first time I've written the new date. It was such a relaxing break - 11 days of cricket, knitting and reading. I'm knitting Jojo Locatelli's Cathedral wrap . Now that I've finished the lace ends, it's smooth sailing. That lace though! It's been a really long time (as in not in 2018 at all) but I figured it would be easy - after all, I've done a lot of charted colourwork with no problems, and that's the same, right? Wrong.  Anyway, after I muddled through it was a very relaxing knit. The yarn is Oyster Yarn Maven a  merino / silk / yak blend, and it's just stunning to knit with. Smooth and soft and the most perfect shade of pink. Its knit from the lace ends, and then grafted together. I'm rather dreading grafting in pattern.  I'm reading Whiskey Galore , the tale of a Scottish island that runs out of whisky during the second world war. Published in 1947 this novel is hilarious. I was origina...

I love summer, and we've finally had some some days where it is warm enough to sit outside with the reading and knitting. As I said earlier in the week , I'm making the most of the nice weather, and  knitting the summery Conic , by Cookie A. I'm up to the first sleeve, which is also the back, because it's a rather strange design. I am happy to be cruising into this busy period with some straightforward knitting in the round - straightforward now I have finished the cables, anyway. I have quite a few social events coming up - oddly enough mainly birthdays, rather than Christmas, so simple and in the round is definitly the best.  I'm reading Fool's Quest the second last of Robin Hobb's Fitz and the Fool series. I'm half way through. Such an exciting book, and so many changes, and so much happening. If you are a fantasy fan, read this - but start all the way back at the beginning 15 books ago. What a journey! And that's December's yarnalon...

I know that Yarnalong is now only  the first Wednesday of the month, but I took this photo on the weekend and had to post on this, the 3rd Wednesday: It's the deck at my parents holiday house, and I spent quite a lot of time out there reading and knitting over the weekend. That is the first paper book I have read in four years - I always read on my beloved Kindle , but I realised in the car up there thst I had failed to bring it. Tragedy! Luckily they have a bookshelf there, with a lot of books I had no interest in and, Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope. It's a lovely light but not fluffy read about female friendships.  And that's my He-oak jumper for Leon, knitting up remarkably quickly. I'm joining in with Ginny and the monthly yarnalong . I recommend popping over to her blog to see what everyone else is knitting and reading this month. If you want to find all my book reviews, I'm SharonDb l k on Goodreads. On Ravelry I'm SharonDoubleknit , and I b...

My best times are when I'm reading a good book, knitting a good project and just cruising along. And that's where I'm at right now. I'm knitting He-Oak , a jumper for Leon. I was a bit concerned, because there are no projects on Ravelry (surely you'd get some test knitters or something) but it's coming a long nicely. Also quite quickly - I started it on Friday, and it's really knitting up well. The Chiaogoo needles are such a joy, although knitting at 4.5mm does feel enormous after all the socks. I'm reading Love and Treasure by Ayelet Waldman. I bought it ages ago, after listening to One Good Day and then I realised it was a Holocaust novel, and I wasn't really in the mood, I've read lots of holocaust novels and I think most of them are reading from the same source material - or many people had similar, heartbreaking experiences. Either way, not what i wanted to read right now. But this novel starts with a question I've often wonderin...

I was authoritatively informed by the Richmond Knitters last night that this month is called Socktober, and not sOctober, as I have always called it. Either way, it's the best month of the year. Obviously I'm knitting socks! Last Christmas the talented Dani from HalfBakedHandDyed made us our own Richmond Knitters colourway! I decided, since the colours are so pretty, so make plain socks, but also to try a new heel, the Strong Heel, in the Vanilla is the New Black socks.  So far so good. Fun, easy and the colours are just such a delight to knit with. I'm reading Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray , partly because I haven't read it since I was a youth, and partly because I'm about to read  Creatures of Will and Temper , which allegedly "riffs"  on The Picture... I'm glad I've reread it though, it's quite a book, with some really deep themes. I'm joining in with Ginny and the monthly yarnalong . I recommend popping ov...

I have finished the colourwork on Strathendrick : Now "all" I have to do is to kitchener the shoulders - in colourwork, and knit the collar, sleeves and bottom hem. Piece of cake.  This has been a really fun knit, except for the bit last night where I found out somehow I have an extra repeat on the back. I'm sure I can sort that out though, it's already meant to be hugely oversized. I'm also enjoying my read - Raising Stony Mayhall , by Daryl Gregory. Every book he writes is innovative and completely different. This one is about zombies - but not really. I recommend. I've got jury duty tomorrow, and there is some discussion about whether I will, or won't be allowed to take my needles into the court. The info they sent said "no knitting needles" but I've been through court security before, with Signature Stilletos , no less. So I think I'll leave the giant jumper at home, and take a pair of socks on 2mm bamboo needles, and see ho...

I made sure that in the thumb nail picture you can't see the shape of the shawl. I've just started clue six - the final clue in Ysolda's mystery shawl knit-along . I haven't even sneeked a peak at any of the clues until I have finished knitting them, and managed to avoid spoilers. Here's the full shawl after clue five: Only one more to go, but quite a bit more knitting. This has been such a fun project , and now I can s ee how its going to look it's very satisfying. After finishing Jojo Moyes' Silver B ay , and hating it so much (my review is here if you are interested) I really wanted to read something fun and fast. Ian Banks' Complicity fit the bill. It's a thriller / mystery / who done it / romp and I can't stop reading it. Such a pleasure to read a book that i don't want to put down, even if some of the subject matter is rather dark.  I'm joining in with Ginny and the monthly yarnalong . I recommend popping over to her...

You know how I love a link up, a KAL or a chance to knit what everyone else is knitting? Well, I'm doing Ysolda's Gloamin-tide mystery knit along. The clues are coming out on Monday late evening my time, so I knit the first one on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I'll try to take photos of the next clue on a different coloured background! I'm reading Chaim Potok's Davita's Harp .I was at my parents a few months ago and my husband was talking about money to his brother at the back of the house. Because the conversation was none-of-my-business I went and browsed their book cases. I picked up this book - they have an old copy, which i imagine I read as a child, but i can't remember it at all. I'm wading my way through it - it is not a fast read, and the protagonist seems precocious, but I'm interested enough that I am hanging in there. The first clue only took me two knitting nights, so I am also knitting a pair of socks. Check back here on Thursday, ...

Funnily enough, this month I'm reading Golden Fool the second book in the Tawny Man trilogy. Last month I was reading the first. I have actually read some other books in between! If youw ant to follow my reading, you can find me on Goodreads as Sharondblk . This pic shows my view... I am knitting the Kate Davies vest  Carraig Fhada . I've had the yarn for it since the beginning of 2017, and i can't believe it's taken me this long to start it. I'm knitting it in the specified yarn, Kate Davies' Buchaille, and loving it.  It's such a fun knit: beautiful yarn, intuitive pattern with a great rhythm to it. but this one shows the knitting better. This weekend is a long weekend here (Queen's Birthday, even though it isn't, biologically speaking, the Queen's birthday) I am looking forward to going in to the three day weekend with such a compelling book and fun knitting project on the go. There will, of course, also be some running, some...

I know I shouldn't be surprised at the normal passing of time, but I am! Especially since I missed April's yarnalong because I was on holidays in Scotland .  Now, as if to continue that holiday for as long as possible, I am knitting Kate Davies' Highland Rogue scarf for Leon, in Scottish yarn that I bought at Edinburgh Yarn Fest. It's nearly done - currently about a metre seventy, I think I'll knit until that ball of yarn is finished. Off the Scottish theme, I'm reading, or rather re-reading, Robin Hobb's Fool's Errand , the first book of the second Fitz trilogy.I'm just loving it. I don't remember anything from last time - about 15 years ago - but Fitz is no longer a whiny teenager, but an approaching middle aged man. I'm glad I'm enjoying it, it took me a while to find a good book this time. i actually DNFd a novel by my favourite romance author - I found I just didn't care about romance, and I struggled through an urban fan...

As I  may have mentioned once or twice, I'm going to Edinburgh Yarn Festival , and the walking the West Highland Way. As I like to theme everything, I have a Scottish reading list (which can be found here .)  I just started reading A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away   by Christopher Brookmyre. Leon read it first, and did warn me that it contains aeroplane terrorism, which is helping with my generally relaxed attitude about flying ... It's a good rollicking read though.  I'm knitting a blanket square from Kate Davies' latest club , which is walking us down the West Highland Way - a serendipitous coincidence. I probably won't knit the blanket, I'm doing this as a swatch, and as a way to test her new yarn Millorachy Tweed . The pattern is based on the markers on the West Highland Way, so I'm feeling very themed and in the mindset for this holiday.  I'm linking up with Ginny's monthly Yarnalong, which can be found  here

I am still reading Assassin's Quest . I love this book, and am so glad that when I finish this - the last book in the first trilogy, there are still 6 books to go. Robin Hobb's worldbuilding is magnificent, and her writing is close to flawless. I am knitting Cornwell Spring Mittens .  They are a similarish pattern to my hat , socks and jumper for walking the West Highland Way . You know how I love some matchy matchness. I thought I might be totally sick of the yarn and pattern by now, but the love is still going strong. Which is good, because I still have a matchy matchy cowl to go.  I am linking up with " It's Monday What are you reading ?' hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and the now monthly YarnAlong, hosted by Ginny at Small Things .