It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

So Stefanie of StefanieCraftswithwoolpaperfabric turned me on to these two memes that are connected and up on Mondays....whether I stay with it or not, we'll see....I'll try to hook up with them in the morning, but not sure which time zone they are in....

The first is for books I'm reading personally.  The second is for kidlit...since I read a lot of kidlit, thought I'd join that one too....The first is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date and the second hosted by Jen at Teachmentortexts and Kellee of Unleashingreaders

I used to read so much, but since I started knitting, crocheting, blogging...not so much...I bought a shirt yesterday that says Read More Books....and I'm taking that to heart!

Since I just found out about this, here are the books I am reading now....

F is For Freedom by Roni Schotter.  This is the book I am reading with my high group.  I am working on empathy with my class this year.  Many of them have never read anything about slavery (it is third grade) So this is a good book to introduce them to the topic.  We have not finished it yet.  I will let you know how they feel about it.

The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson is our OSOB book this year.  OSOB is One School, One Book.  The entire school reads one book. The school buys the books for everyone.  We are a preK-8 school, so deciding on the books can be tough.  I'll be honest, I've only read the first chapter, so I have to catch up on it, as this is the last week.  There are trivia questions every day and teachers volunteer to record chapters, so the book can be listened to.....This is the third year we have done it.  It hasn't been quite as well organized this year, but it is still a great idea.

Why?: The Hubs brought the second of the series home from the library. I waited until I got the first one.

Plot: Josie Blair, an aspiring designer, has to leave NYC and go to rural Connecticut to take care of her great-uncle, who was in a car accident.  The accident killed his wife and Josie has to help him close up the yarn store she owned.  Except another person is found dead in the yarn store.

What Appeals to Me?: It's a mystery, set in my home state and featuring a yarn shop.

And so: I've read other series set in yarn shops...The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil was a great series. I also have the first couple (I own the first couple, only read book 1) in the Maggie Sefton series, among others.

I wanted to love this series, but I don't.  I have issues with some of the characters, some of the plot lines and definitely some of the writing. I believe it was her first book.  I can't tell if the author is actually a knitter (her main character is not).  She set the book in rural Connecticut and there is definite shade thrown at the "rural" life.  Main character lives in NYC at the beginning.  Also, not sure she has ever been to Connecticut, the author is from upstate New York....and the writing.....she has to TELL us everything.....and some of it is BAD....

"The tea had real steam drifting up from it." I'm paraphrasing as I don't have the book in front of me. But those two words threw me.....real steam, as opposed to fake steam????

But I am reading the second in the series: A Knit Before Dying.  I figured, I'd give her a chance to redeem herself.....

I'm not very far into it, so I'll let you know next week.

I am hoping this will help me read more this year....I don't do well with audio books, so I have to make the time to sit and read.  

Year of Projects: Week 11

Good morning!!!!  Well after finishing three projects last week, not much done this week.  That's my usual routine.  Once I finish a project, I tend not to work on something for awhile...

I did put some more stitches on several socks...In fact, I was working on the Zombie Valentine socks at my PD on Wednesday when the needle came off the cord!!! They are 9" Kollage square needles.  I was able to reattach the needle with some epoxy and so far, so good.  I actually really love these because the cord is so flexible!

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)

So not much else to post about....hmm seems like I lost a follower...oh well....I know blogging is not as popular as it was a few years ago...especially with Instagram....but I still enjoy blogging and reading blogs....

On St. Patrick's Day, I went with a couple of friends to see Gerry Brooks...he is a principal from Kentucky that puts out funny videos....you can definitely relate if you are in education...here is one, this one is cute, but he has some that are hysterical

It was great!  He is very funny, but he is also very inspirational....

Waiting for the show to start, and Peg to arrive....

Did you hear about the one with three Irish girls who ate at a Basque restaurant on St. Patrick's Day?  It took a bit, but I did find something I'd eat.....very picky eater here....

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17
Fortune's Shawlette - 5/20/17 - Finished ball 2    

Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- why I may crochet the others...have these and still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket


Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Zombie Latte Socks - (6/27/17) - need some zombie socks come Walking Dead premiere!
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Hudson Bay Socks - (6/21/17)
Muertos - 8/13/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


Bags:

Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Marsha asked about the 9" circulars.  It did take a bit to get used to them, but now they are my preferred needle when knitting socks, especially vanilla socks.  I'm not sure how they'd work on more intricate patterns.  But since most of my socks right now are self-stripe, I tend to do more basic patterns....a couple of them, I do have to have a needle stopper for the end, so when I put the project down, stitches don't slip off....but that's only been with one or two pairs....I have bought some bigger needle sizes to try using them with hats and baby items....

I plan on posting at least two more times this week...my Wednesday post for Stitch Along Wednesday and at least one more....I did a Stash Acquisition post yesterday, if interested...

Have a great week!

Stash Acquisition Saturday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I have worn green every day this week!  It's my favorite color. I have it in all shades...and I also now have the DNA to prove I'm Irish (see my grandmother was illegitimate, the only thing we knew about her father is on her birth certificate...an Irish seaman from Nova Scotia named Frank Woods)

So new stash?  Yes, I have some...I am trying to be good, as Stitches United is at the end of the month and I know I'm going to drop some money at, at least, two vendors....

First Up:

This is some sparkly goodness from the Yarn Jar! Called, what else?  St. Patrick's Day sparkle!!!

I am still working on my consecutive St. Patrick's Day socks from Brazen Stitchery...

No sparkle, but RAINBOWS!!!!

I also saw a sock in a group on Facebook and decided I needed the colorway...plus most of my sock yarns are from indie dyers, so I wanted to try some of the bigger companies...I do have a pair I made from ONline and I think another from Regia....so I picked up three new companies..

This was the color I saw on Facebook...and I do have some Trekking yarn somewhere, just looked it up...hmmm...may have to do something with it...it was actually suppose to be a gift for someone...it didn't happen...

Then I got some Opal..I liked the way it looked...I think I have another skein of Opal somewhere, too...

I have been wanting to try West Yorkshire for quite awhile....so I picked up this one....

I also got my custom Moose and Squirrel bag from OtterlyAdorableKnits!  If you are a Supernatural fan, you know of whom I speak when I say Moose and Squirrel...

And it's perfect to carry a project with me today...on this day of Irish celebration!  Have a great weekend!

Stitch Along: Week 10

Good evening!  We had another SNOW DAY today!  Too many, and they may not be done yet for the season...hopefully it won't be as bad as a couple years ago when we went almost to July...no a/c in the majority of the building....we literally melt out of our seats from the sweat....and no one can focus...sigh...

So I signed my house closing papers today!  Yeah!  It is almost done.  It is a two family.  We have lived in the first floor apartment for 26 years!!!!  We are buying it as investment property and we got a VERY good deal...the landlord had been asking us to buy for probably 10 years....

This was coming home from that!!!!!

Then I spent the day watching tv and knitting....knitted on some socks...

Not two-at-a-time, but more concurrently...think I may do them all this way!  I have bought a TON of 9 inch circulars!

And put on another stripe on these guys....

I also started something and finished it, but it's not looking so great without blocking, but it was this

I had to hunt for some orange yarn...then found some from Turtle Creek Farm in Sunset Orange...it's a lighter orange...in 100% Coopworth, so hopefully not too itchy....I'll wear it tomorrow after a steaming in the morning...since tomorrow is the official walk-out date.  Our high school is planning a walkout, although not the elementary schools.  But we have a PD on school safety later at the HS...(it's 1/2 day for students) So I'll post a picture on Friday....

So how was your week?  I feel like I'm speaking into a void some days, and I know lots of people are no longer keeping blogs....anyway, here you go, if you'd like to link up....

Year of Projects: Week 10

Well I cleaned out three project bags this week, because I finished THREE projects (well actually 2.5)

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)

So I did finish my test knit.  I only did one sock, as the sock was HUGE, and I didn't want to have to rip out both.  The pattern is very easy and I think looks great with self stripe yarn, BUT I don't think the yarn I chose was a good match...also the yarn had several blotches on it from the dying process.  I did let the dyer know, and even though I bought the yarn a couple years ago, she offered to replace it!  She no longer dyes that color, so I'm going to try one of her other self stripes...

I also did my first afterthought heel and was NOT a fan...I'll try it again, but hated picking up those stitches...I don't mind picking up gusset stitches, but didn't like this...plus I have holes...so will have to try again with a different sock....I couldn't get gauge, even though I went down to a US 0, and I'm a loose knitter, hence the sock being HUGE...plus I always cast on 56 or less stitches and the smallest cast on was 64...I'm going to try it again with a 56 cast-on...not posting a picture, as haven't gotten permission, but there is a picture on my Ravelry project page

Also finished my first Jessica Jones cowl, actually it was the one I cast-on second, but finished first..it's for my Hubs, but here it is...

I did the short version, just throw it on and go....LOVE linen stitch, but boy does it take forever!

The Folding Chairs socks, I posted on Friday (I posted the cowl too, but didn't have pictures of it on)

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17
Fortune's Shawlette - 5/20/17 - Finished ball 2    

Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- why I may crochet the others...have these and still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket


Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Zombie Latte Socks - (6/27/17) - need some zombie socks come Walking Dead premiere!
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Hudson Bay Socks - (6/21/17)
Muertos - 8/13/17
Twas the Night - 12/24/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


Bags:

Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

What else has been on my needles are my Zombie Latte socks, although I ended up doing a plain vanilla...I tried a heel flap in a contrast color...it was a bit of a pain...and there is a big hole that needs to be fixed..And I immediately started on the second sock..

And I also re-started my Irish socks..

Both yarns are from Brazen Stitchery...

I think I'll focus on the socks and my Fortune's Shawlette (crochet), as I think that is the next closest to being finished....I am trying to finish up some WIPs....all these snow days are helping!  Think we'll have another on Tuesday...I had already taken a personal day (I'll get it back if school is canceled) as we have our closing that day!  FINALLY!!! This has been a very long process!

I am trying to blog at least three or four times a week...I blog for Year of Projects on Sunday...I do a link-up on Wednesdays for a WIP Stitch Along..and try to post at least one other time over the week.  I'm trying to update my tabs, especially my LYS one..so stop by when you have time in the week....

Until next time....

Finally Finished Friday

F.........K!!!!!! I had this almost done and it got accidentally erased!!!!

So I have finished a few items this year, but this is the first Finally Finished Friday I am posting....(while watching a very weird Supernatural!)

First up:

Pattern: Basic rib pattern, slipstitch heel, round toe (but something happened with the toes, they came out weird)
Yarn: Knitted Wit HerStory, January 2017, Folded Chairs
Needle: Lantern Moon DPNs, US 1, 2.5mm - in a dark wood, which made it difficult on the darker patches.
Cast on: February 16, 2017
Cast off: March 4, 2018

Inspiration:

I LOVE the flashing/pooling on these socks!  The yarn is a bit thick, so not sure which shoes I can wear these with, but I'll buy a pair, if I have to!

Second completed project is for the Hubs.  I made him a long scarf, he is 6 feet.  But when he's cutting wood or working at the sawmill, it gets in the way.  When the Jessica Jones cowl was released, I decided to make it for him.  He loves Jessica Jones and it would keep his neck warm, without getting in the way.

The second picture is more of the true color...more of a steel grey. So it just seems like a basic cowl, but it is a linen stitch.  It was the first time I'd used it.  I love the look of the linen stitch, but it did take me awhile.
Cast On: December 27, 2017
Cast Off: March 7, 2018
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios in Cirrus Grey
Needle: Size 9, 5.50mm I think they are Hiya Hiya

I have a second one on the needles, (it was actually the first I cast-on) in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in a blue.  This one will be for me....

I will be back on Sunday....I could have done a Stash Acquisition Saturday, but it's only one ball and I just ordered some more, so I'll wait...

So that is it....I'm going to throw a link up, just in case someone else has something finished they'd like to share...

Krista Suh and Aurora Lady

On February 10, I went to a meet and greet at Madison Wool.  I met Krista Suh, designer of the P_ssyhat and Aurora Lady, who has done many of the illustrations that has accompanied it.  They were promoting a new book...

I was joined by my yarny BFF, Maureen...it was a lot of fun....Krista mainly talked and explained how she came up with the idea.  I was surprised to learn she was a newish knitter.  She was very engaging and it was interesting.

I wore my red, white and blue P-ssyhat.

I have to say I loved meeting Aurora Lady.....it was like we were long-lost friends!  She is married to a member of Nerf Herder, the band that did the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme song!

We were geeking out about similar things when Maureen took this picture....she also knows Wil Wheaton! I spent the rest of the night going...I was one degree from Wil Wheaton!

Later that night, we went to Fuse Fiber Studios for an Open House with Fuse Fiber and Once Upon a Corgi.  I didn't take any pictures, so bummed these....the first is from Maureen...

The second is from Clarisajo....we've been Insta-friends for awhile and finally met...

Funnily enough, we have mutual real-life friends.....

I did buy some yarn while there....some Hedgehog from Madison Wool

Once Upon A Corgi - That Ain't No Moon

It's on Cecil, an Aran weight..and is 100% Blue-faced Leicester

Fuse Fiber Fuse Sock in Mardi Gras

It was a great night!!!!