yarn along

Another Wednesday, another yarn along…and perhaps a little disappointment that I haven’t been the most diligent knitter.

I’m still working away on my little green elephant. I have to admit I haven’t picked this guy up quite often enough this past week. My first excuse was the metal needles that were turning my left hand into a claw but then I got totally hooked by my last read and my knitting was abandoned for a few days.

Now I’m ready to start on his legs while dreaming of the next little people sweaters on my list. I suggested this and this to my oldest daughter who promptly rejected both but decided she loves the stripes in this sweater. I have Cascade 220 in a darker blue for her sweater. I’m also dreaming of little cardigans for my nearly four-year-old yellow-loving princess – perhaps this Elsie cardigan or finally a tiny tea leaves? Is it coincidence that both of these cardigans are shown in yellow?

I love to make unrealistic knitting goals for myself…Two sweaters for the two birthdays in the next two months…while my head is already swimming with yummy newborn knits? Er…This pregnancy has been demanding more resting time so I guess I should get busy on that knitting resting.

As for the read that tore me away from knitting this week…The Forgotten Garden. I loved it! I am a mystery lover but I’m also a huge wimp so I rarely venture into anything more modern than my classic favourites, The Woman in White and The Moonstone but this book was perfect for me. It pulled me in, I was intrigued and entertained and I could still sleep afterwards! Now I’ve started on to another book by the same author, Kate Morton, The Distant Hours. I’m not sure what to expect from this one but I’m hopeful it will be another great read. I’ve also started The Friday Night Knitting Club. I’m trying to pace myself with both of these – if I get to absorbed in a book I can’t seem to do anything until I’ve finished it (ahem, The Forgotten Garden).

I also wanted to show the books that the kids have been choosing for bedtime reading lately. As I mentioned in this previous post, we love the Rupert Annuals. The older girls adore these stories, as do I, so we’re keeping our eyes peeled during our thrifting trips for other copies. Liam has been choosing, Mr. Meddle’s Muddles, an Enid Blyton book I hadn’t seen before. The stories are so charming – sort of reminiscent of Amelia Bedelia. The older girls don’t always share Liam’s choice of book but they gravitate around when this one comes out.

Thanks for all the input on last week’s post. I was impressed to hear of the many varied preferences in knitting needles. This week I’m on the hunt for a ball winder. I have wool for my upcoming projects but winding centre-pull balls on a wooden spoon is getting old fast – I’m losing so much knitting time! I’m curious how other knitter’s deal with their skeins. Can any of you suggest a ball winder that you think is fantastic?

I’m holding my breath to see if Ginny will be posting her yarn along this week…wondering if her babe has arrived yet! Either way I’m always happy to share the knitting and book joy we’ve been getting into – and see what others have been getting into as well.

Happy Wednesday!