Off My Needles: An Overdue Update on Finished Knit-a-longs

In my last post, I showed you photos of the two KAL's I was knitting. They are finished...have been for two months! Oops.

Bad news: I'm a procrastinator.

Good news: I finished this hat and love wearing it. With my new short haircut I finally like how I look in a hat. Hooray!

 

 

2014 Mystery KAL by Wooly Wormhead

Knit One Crochet Two Elfin Tweed yarn,

(blue sock yarn)

Bad news: I lost my photos of the finished Once Upon A Time MKAL when I got a new phone...and I gave the cowl to a friend for Christmas so there will be no finished photo. (Dang ICloud. How do you work?)

Good News: She she wears it everyday. I'm so glad I gave it to her; it's good for a yarn to find it's special owner.

Once Upon A Time MKAL 

Dream In Color Classy yarn, 2014 October Dream Club

(orange, green, yellow - fall colors)

Secret Knitting...Shhh!

Two MKAL's (Mystery Knit Alongs)

Once Upon A Time MKAL

Dream In Color Classy yarn, 2014 October Dream Club

(orange, green, yellow - fall colors)

2014 Mystery KAL by Wooly Wormhead

Knit One Crochet Two Elfin Tweed yarn,

(blue sock yarn)

Can't say anymore, other than I'm loving the results I'm seeing from both patterns and yarns.

I've decided to use this blog for knitting project posts only. If you want to hear about the rest of my life go to http://bethgormong.blogspot.com. Otherwise stick around for periodic news about my fiber addiction.

Off My Needles: Big Stitch Cowl

Big Stitch Cowl

Pattern: Last Minute Cowls

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta

Colorway: #861 Laguna Negra

If your looking for a 1-day project, literally 1-day, this is a great knit. The yarn is soft and warm, perfect for these cold, fall days. And doesn't the grey, silver and yellow work so well together?

(I've decided to use this blog for knitting project posts only. If you want to hear about the rest of my life go to http://bethgormong.blogspot.com. Otherwise stick around for periodic news about my fiber addiction.)

2014 Off My Bookshelf #9

Valley of Amazement

by Amy Tan

I wish I could recommend this book because I am an Amy Tan book lover. But I can't, not with a clear conscience. There is a big chunk of this book that was, basically, a manual on how to be a prostitute. I had to skip over that section. I liked the story, but there's too much graphic material to make it receive my blessing, which is too bad because Amy Tan can weave a masterful story.

2014 Off My Bookshelf #8

Grounded

by Heather Ordover

I bought this as a Kindle ebook through Amazon.But it is available in paperback also.

 I've been a faithful listener of Heather's podcast, CraftLit, for years. Heather is a literature teacher who selflessly studies the classics and then weekly podcasts. She picks a book and each week covers a chapter or two by initially, explains words, phrases, concepts that may be unfamiliar or unclear, then plays the audio of those chapters, and finally concludes by sharing at the end. It's like being back in lit class with a teacher who is passionate and well studied. She brings books to life and makes difficult classical literature understandable for everyone. Check her podcast out.

So now Heather has written a book, a young adult novel, full of magic, teen angst and an insiders perspective of New York City life. Try the book and the podcast. I think you might enjoy them.

2014 Off My Bookshelf #7

Allegiant

by Veronica Roth

The conclusion of the Divergent trilogy was heart-achingly perfect for me. I know many teens, especially teen girls dislike it. Could it be an age thing? I not longer need a happy ending. I want a "right" ending, an ending that may make me cry, but leaves me deeply satisfied. I won't spoil the ending for you. But I will say I shed tears while reading this book, good tears, tears that let me know I had gone deep into relationship with the characters and was grateful for their honesty and acts of bravery.


Here are my two favorite quotes:

There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known or everyone you have ever loved for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through the pain and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life.

(How many of us are willing to walk toward that better life? Isn't it sometimes easier to lie down under the pain and work load of every day?)

Since I was young I have always known this, life damages us, everyone. We can't escape that damage. But now I'm also learning this, we can be mended. We mend each other.

(True words: now to allow community to pour salve onto our broken lives.

First Day at the Park this Spring

Okay, folks. I took these pictures several weeks ago.  I'm not sure why this isn't already out there. Scatterbrain...the only excuse I have.....

 

It's finally spring! There's nothing like a little journaling, knitting and reading at the park. 

"She said, 'Perhaps you have always known everything important but will need a lifetime to discover what you know.'"

-Gwyneth from "Innocence" by Dean Koontz, page 154