Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Great story in my favorite genre, historical fiction. This is a tale of two girls who's lifetime friendship is tested by social class and misunderstandings in 19th century China.

I found the descriptions of foot-binding fascinating and horrifying. The story itself was endearing and I found myself constantly wanting to read more to see what happened next. I read this over just a few days.

Three Cups of Tea by Grag Mortenson and David Oliver Renin

Incredibly inspiring and yet difficult to get through. This is the true story of one man's mission to promote peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan by providing a new generation a balanced education. Greg Mortenson truly understands what will provide lasting peace in this area and provide long-term security to the US, and it is not military action, it is education.

Despite the endearing story, I found the writing style at times difficult to read and this took me awhile to finish, as I had to be in the right mood to sit down and plod though.

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak at a secret project....

I love working with this soft cotton yarn.

Something's Blocking

Haven't had a finished object in awhile but......something's blocking!



And tommorrow onto seaming. This is my least favorite part of a project, but I do find it satisfying to watch the crude panels of a project seam up into a beautiful finished item.....

Patchwork tote

This past week, I decided that because I could not find the exact sundresses that I wanted for my upcoming trip to Hawaii this fall, I would make some.

I order to free myself up to work on sundresses (and my sewing machine) this got finished this week.


Pattern: The City Bag by Fabric Central

This lined bag was a project for which all the patchwork squares came pre-cut, allowing me to focus solely on my sewing skills. I sewed when I was younger, but like knitting, never had the patience for it to stick.


By the time I got to the end of the bag, even my top stitching looked even and impressive if I do say so myself. (There are a lot of inside seams that were less than stellar, but luckily they are hidden).


Overall, I am pleased with this project, although I may choose a heavier interfacing next time for a sturdier bag. However, it is a perfect knitting bag!

Slowly but surely....

Baby Smock Jacket is coming along and the first front panel is going much quicker than the back. Perhaps because I have master the art of knitting and reading at the same time, which means I can work on this and read Eclipse at the same time!

This only works for ribbing, stockinette, or seed stitch, anything more complicated requires full knitting attention.

Snowflakes for Spring

I promised pictures. These have been off the needles for awhile, but it took awhile to block them (I had to buy sock blockers) and then the weather was not cooperative for pictures.

Pattern: Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner (Interweave Knits Fall 2007)
Yarn: Reynolds Soft Sea Wool, 1 skein of each color.
Needles: Size 2 circular needles
Started: March 13 2008
Completed: March 29 2009

This was my first stranded project, and I used the opportunity to master the two-handed technique, using my right hand for the main color and my left for the contrasting color.

The first sock was knit a little tight as I got comfortable with the new technique. By the time I started the second sock, I had loosened up considerably, and therefore, the second sock ended up being significantly bigger. So much so that I had to block the second sock on a different sized sock blocker!

I should have gone down a needle size for the second sock; but alas, I did not realize until it was too late.

However, they are very warm and comfortable. I will definitely be wearing these around the house, different sizes and all.

And what stranded post would be complete without a little guts and glory! The inside...I think it is almost as pretty as the outside.

Notice my new purchase in the above photo. I got these lovely sock blockers from the Loopy Ewe. I made a deal with myself if I finished these socks I was allowed to buy these, as blockers are especially needed with stranded projects. I bought a pair in my size and a single blocker in all the other sizes they had so that I can block socks for anyone else I knit for. I love the sheep at the top.

Twilight

I stayed away from this series for a long time because it was geared toward adolescents. However, after it seemed like everyone I know recommended reading them, I decided to take the plunge and immerse myself in the Twilight saga. I was pleasantly suprised. This was an engaging page-turner that I really enjoyed. Many have compared the series to Harry Potter, and though not as good, they have the same appeal of being a thrill-packed, engaging story that though geared toward a younger crowd, can also be enjoyed by adults.

Before I was halfway through the book I had already bought the remaining 3 books in the series, knowing that there was no chance that once I finished the first that I could stay away from finding out where the series would lead.

I will be adding the movie to my Netflix queue soon. I can't wait to see how they translated this one to the screen.

As the risk of being cliche: I've been bitten.

Tangled Basket

In taking of stock of where I am with finishing the projects on my needles:
a) Secret Gift Project AKA Hemlock Ring Blanket Finished
b) Snowflake Socks Finished (pictures to follow soon)
c) Bell Sleeved Jacket (65% complete)
d) Flower Basket Shawl (45% complete)
e) Baby Mary Janes (10% complete)
f) Smock Jacket (30% complete)

I have been making a serious commitment to FBS over the last few weeks and am up to 275 stitches. Unfortunately when I started the first row of the next repeat I noticed that one of my flower baskets from the previous round was not quite right. Feeling supremely confident in my lace knitting abilities, I decided that instead of ripping out the whole last round back to my lifeline (and then re-knitting all those stitches), surely I could just drop the affected section and knit it back up again on double points, leaving the rest of my perfectly correct flower baskets intact?



Alas, after 5 attempts last night, my malformed flower basket is still in disarray. It was not as easy as it might seem. I finally walked away from it and into the warm comfort of some Twilight reading. Once my mind is rested I will return to the basket and perhaps be able to do what I set out to do. But for now, it is only vampires for me.

Shades of Grey

This has been complete for awhile now, but was a secret and needed to get to its intended recipient before I posted about it.



Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool 2 skeins (956 Yards) Color 8049 a dark grey
Started: December 13 2008 Completed: January 18 2009
Needle: Size 10

I am quite pleased with the final project and am yet again amazed by the power of blocking lace, even with worsted weight yarn.

This was a wedding/shower gift for friends who were married in November, but I have a feeling I will be knitting one for our home in the future.

I basically just kept knitting as far as the two skeins wound take me for a slightly larger lap blanket, and almost payed for it. I finished with 6 inches of yarn to spare.

I took the pattern to Row 75 of the Charted feather and fan pattern for a total of 121 total rows.