The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

This is one that I have tried to read many times.  I always thought that school interfered and found myself starting over when I had forgotten my place.

On the surface this appeared to be exactly the type of novel I would like: beautiful prose, immersion in another culture with tragedy and love. I wanted to love this book, but did not.

In the end, I did finally finish this novel, but it always felt like I was pulling myself through the pages.  The language is beautiful, but I couldn't relate to the characters or the story.  I am glad I finally finished it so I could move on. 

On making progress

Remember this? 

I am on the collar of Bell Sleeve Jacket, and have been making steady progress while enjoying the HBO series Rome over the last few weeks.  I love Netflix.

I am hopeful that this sweater will be done in time to get some use out of it while it is still cold.   Almost there!

Reader's Indulgences

This new stack of books are pure heaven for a reader to behold. I look forward to the hours curled up on the couch enjoying them.

Its cold outside, but in here it's electric!

Here is a peak at one of my projects on the needles that I haven't shown off yet.

These are the Fruit Loop Socks from Knitty, Spring 2008.

They are being knit with my Kool-Aid dyed yarn in a colorway that I call
It's Electric.

Go to my instructional post to learn how I dyed the yarn.

On a roll.....

The result of more seaming and finishing....



Pattern: Gavyn by Amanda Blackford
Made for: Baby C
Size: 1 - 2 years
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids; Colorway: Royal Palm
Approximately 0.5 skein (710 yards per skein)
Needles: US Size 9
Started: August 21, 2009
Completed: January 9, 2010

Because this is knit in an Aran/Worsted weight yarn, it is a very quick knit. I actually finished all of the knitting in just a few sittings, but again, it sat waiting for me to seam in the arms from the time I finished knitting in August until now.

The Bernat Cotton Yarn is so soft and I like this earthy green color.

The Gavyn pattern is one of the few sweaters I have found that is truly meant for a baby boy. Most baby sweaters are really meant for baby girls and are too frilly for boys.

I am quite pleased with how it turned out and will probably knit this sweater again as it is enjoyable and easy and looks great!

Seam away

It has become apparent to me that I avoid seaming to the detriment of my unfinished projects. Remember when this was blocking back in August? Yes, August. I just finished seaming it up and sewing the ribbon and buttons on yesterday. It only took me 5 months to get to it.



I finally had to forbid myself to knit anything else until I buckled down and took care of this long overdue task.

And although I really don't like seaming, I love the end result of seaming and love watching the raw seperate pieces turn into a beautiful finished product.

Pattern: Smock Coat by Debbie Bliss from Simply Baby
Size: 12-18 months
Made for: Baby G.
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport; Colorway - Fedora
10 Skeins
Needle: US Size 2 and 4 Addi Turbos
Started: October 12, 2008
Completed: January 9, 2010

Shine Sport is so increadibly soft and I love the end result of this jacket, but the seed stitch was a little tedious at times.

Proof that I have been knitting......

I haven't posted in awhile. Its been a little hectic, but this one has actually been off the needles for awhile and awaiting a photoshoot. I brought it with me on my 2 week Hawaiian cruise in October and did a lot of knitting on it during that trip. I really wanted to try to get some outdoor photos but the snow and bitter temps are not cooperating with my interests.
So here it is:





Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud - Colorway: Tide Pool;
3 skeins (knit with two strands held together)
Needles: US Size 6 AddiTurbo Lace
Started: March 8, 2008
Completed: November 15, 2009

Despite taking me a year and a half to complete, when I actually devoted some time to the project, it is a relatively quick and easy pattern. And the Tide Pool colorway is a rich mix of teal, blue and flecks of gold. Pictures just don't do its beauty justice.

The past week has been devoted to seaming and finishing up projects that have been neglected in finished but unfinished states. Perhaps the new year has convinced me to tidy up and finish the unfinished and move on to bigger and better things.

I don't think I did very well on my 2009 New Year's knitting goals, but let's see. Last year I resolved to:

1. Finish my unfinished business.
2. Knit more socks.
3. Knit my man a sweater.
4. Shop from my stash.
5. Try Mobius knitting.
6. Try Entrelac knitting.
7. Knit more, now that I have the time.

Well finishing unfinished business is an ongoing problem. I go through spurts with my knitting and hate seaming, so whileI did manage to finish some projects, I still have a few that have been in hibernation and haven't come out yet.

I finished 1 pair of sock this year and started another, but did not knit very many pairs of socks.

I did not knit my husband a sweater, mostly because I still have a sweater on the needles for myself that is unfinished.

I did do a bit better at not buying a lot of yarn. I think I realized that my yarn buying was far out pacing the speed at which I actually knit, and that if I did not slow down the buying, our small apartment would be overrun with yarn! Additionally, toward the end of the year, my husband and I developed a new resolve to increase our rate of saving for a house, and expensive yarn doesn't jive with that goal.

I did not try mobius or entrelac knitting. And lastly I did knit more at times, but my knitting time comes in spurts. One accomplishment I was proud of was learning how to read and knit at the same time (although both the knitting and the reading have to be reasonably non-challenging in their own right to combine such tasks).

So what are my knitting goals for 2010? Well this year I am going to make it simple.

First, I want to continue the ever present goal of finishing what is on my needles and make a new resolve to only allow myself to have three different projects going at any one time. I at times have had up to seven going in the past, and although this does give a project for any sort of mood, it also means I tend to work a little on each one and never finish any of them.

Second, enjoy the knitting!

And that is all. This year I am going to keep it simple.