Yarn Along: More of the Same

I tore through Far from the Madding Crowd and then couldn't bear to wait a few more weeks to borrow the movie from our library, so we rented it on iTunes.  While there was some flattening of the story, I've been mulling the changes over and they were absolutely necessary to tell the tale in 2 hours in that medium.  In some cases, the cuts even added a sense of suspense to the story which otherwise would have been lost.  Of course I would have preferred a thorough miniseries--who wouldn't? But this was the perfect tonic when I regretted finishing the book so quickly.  I highly recommend both, especially for the descriptions of sheep farming and frequent biblical allusions.  Oh, and the love story.

I've also finished this first sock and gotten started on the cuff of its neighbor. Peter has commandeered these after all. They are the tiniest bit too loose on me and a little snug on him, though he denies it. 

After way too much agonizing, I've decided I'd happily knit this addictive yarn forever, so I'm planning to order more of it to make myself a pair.  I'll do contrasting ribbing out of some light blue tweedy leftovers so we can tell the finished socks apart more easily. If I'm really feeling crazy I might even be able to eek out a pair or two of tube socks from all of the leftovers.  We will be the crazy family with matching socks and it will be so great!

Yarn Along:

We're reading Ross Poldark every night together and I'm thoroughly enjoying Far from the Madding Crowd on my own.  In Poldark, Elizabeth sat spinning in one particularly tense scene and broke her thread.  Peter joked that it was enough to make me Team Elizabeth.  Not quite, but I did sympathize.

First up--Lucy's sweater.  My buttons arrived and turned out a smidgen too big for the buttonholes.  Since they were such a perfect match otherwise, I decided to make it work.  I just sewed them on top of the overlapped button bands, effectively turning the cardigan into a pullover.  Her pickled beets cardigan usually remains buttoned and gets yanked on this way, so I knew it would all work out.  Eventually I might get some backing buttons and do it properly but for now the sweater is getting a surprising amount of wear for the middle of August.

I'm past the lace at the bottom of the baptismal gown, and have about four more inches to go on the skirt, which is easy autopilot knitting.  It would be a breeze if not for this completely consuming, addictive sock I started out of the Arne & Carlos Regia in Fall Night colorway.  I work on it wherever white yarn would not fair so well, which, when you have kids, is pretty much everywhere.  But I'm trying to be disciplined and devote some time every day to what is bound to be a gorgeous heirloom in the end.

Meanwhile, I just saw on Instagram that a second line of this sock yarn, with 6 new color ways is in the works and should reach the US in limited supply by the end of the month.  Sounds like the perfect carrot.

Yarn Along:

I finished Gone Girl the other day and just began Far From the Madding Crowd.  And after a mere 19 days, Lucy's sweater is just about complete.  All that remains is to sew on the buttons, these 1930s glass ones, which I am anxiously awaiting.

Photo courtesy of this shop

I've been contemplating what to do with the leftovers.  I might stretch them with these skeins of madelinetosh vintage in parchment and mare, which I bought at the same time as the yarn for the cardigan.  I'm thinking either a striped pullover, or perhaps a cozy hooded jacket with a zipper, if I am brave enough.

Meanwhile, I am plodding along on this newborn Clara dress, in a very fine wool/silk blend.  I finally tracked down a copy of the pattern at this shop, which I hope to visit in person one day.  This helpful chart provides additional sizes.  There's also an inspiring photo of the dress in white which is currently gracing my desktop and spurring me on.  I'm cutting it close, as my friend's baby is due in 5 weeks.  Wish me luck!

Yarn Along:

Finally finally finished Outlander a couple of days ago. I basked in the glow for the rest of the day. I've decided to read something fast and snappy, then begin the next book in the series. The obvious choice for my palette cleanser was Gone Girl.  I wish it could be Poldark, but my husband and I are reading that together and I wouldn't want to barrel ahead without him.

As for my knitting, I am careening through the border now and planning to finish before we finally, FINALLY make it home later tonight. Our car broke down on Saturday and we have been camped out at my sister's house ever since. I'm grateful for the extra time with her but we are a little saddlesore after 17 days away from home.  

I'm looking forward to beginning something tiny and precious for a future godchild of mine who is making an appearance in a mere 6 weeks. Let's hope this fingering-weight silk and wool flies through my fingers.

Yarn Along

Lots of car knitting going on around these parts. I've finished up one of the sleeves on Lucy's sweater. Since taking this picture, I've also made a good dent in the second one. I'm documenting the process with photos every other day on Instagram. 

We're on the move here in Atlanta all day long. Hotel living has been an adventure.  I was nervous about putting both kids to bed simultaneously in such close quarters, but they have gone easy on me. Afterwards I've been occupying myself by quietly reading a few pages of Outlander each night. 

Since watching the first few episodes of Poldark, my husband and I downloaded the audiobook to enjoy on our road trip.  It is taking a tremendous amount of willpower to not listen ahead while he's hard at work at the conference late at night.  I'm hoping we can quickly catch up to what's already been covered by the miniseries, which goes at a fast clip. Apparently there are about a dozen books in the series. So much to look forward to. Highly recommend. 

Yarn Along:

Lucy's latest sweater is coming along nicely. I plan to finish up this skein, then knock out the sleeves. I'm hoping to find some buttons during our upcoming road trip.  Meanwhile I'm already plotting a garment for Sebastian out of the leftovers.  

I barreled through a couple of chapters of Outlander, my sense of dread mounting. Since I had a chance to watch the final two episodes of the season recently, relying heavily on the fast-forward button, I was reminded in painful detail of what lies ahead. My tolerance for fictional torment has gone way down since having children.  I suppose I'm looking for reassurance about the rest of the series.  

Stitch

Last night was magic.  My sweater dried in time for me to bring it to our monthly gathering of makers at the local library.  We arrived and found it unexpectedly locked up, so we all just plunked down on the porch and got out our work.  We had a lively conversation full of ruckus laughter.  When the librarian finally came, we all opted to stay out there.  A little later, a gorgeous breeze blew up, so I even got an excuse to wear my sweater in the middle of July.  When I went home, my babies were completely content, yet happy to see me.  What a great way to end the week!