Yarn Along--Cautionary Tale....

Well folks, this is a cautionary tale called “Knit A Non-Roll Edge To Your Lace Scarf.”

I started knitting this beloved scarf two years ago. This is one of the few things I have knit for myself.  So, the yarn is really nice dk weight-- “Tonal” from KnitPicks. I love this red color, “Gypsy.” Lots of great shades, very subtle, and a dream to knit. I was determined to knit through the entire skein of yarn, and make this scarf long enough to wrap around my neck and everyone else’s neck in the family.

But...the pattern, which was free....did not call for a slip stitch at the beginning of the rows. You who are further along in your knit knowledge know where this tale is heading. No matter how much I have blocked this baby, stretched it, pleaded with it, did dances around it asking it to please play nice and stay flat...it planted its stitches firmly in the roll position and stubbornly stayed there. I cried to my local yarn shop owner, who rocks by the way, and she broke the bad news to me. “This will continue to roll in unless you go back around the sides of the scarf and do some kind of crochet edging.” I think she was a nurse in another life, because Rachel delivered that news rather calmly, looking all sympathetic like we nurses do before we stick something foreign into your chest cavity. Actually she isn’t a nurse, but she could play one on TV.

So....here’s what it looks like done....

And here’s what it looks like wrapped around my head a few times, like a red rubber hose. Dang. Not the lacey goodness I was hoping for. I was doggedly determined to knit through that entire skein, of course, so I have enough left to tie my shoe with and that is IT. I will be ordering a new skein, I suppose, because two years to finish a blasted scarf is too long to let it be all curled up like a red snake in my drawer.

The only reason I smiled is because Peter was distressed by my melancholy over a scarf.

As far as reading, I’ve been reading lots and lots of sites on Pinterest trying to come up with the Thanksgiving recipes...it is tomorrow, guess I should step it up a bit. I have read more of my book from last week’s Yarn Along, “The End of the Present World,” by Fr. Arminjon. I read some out loud to my two boys at home, and had some great conversations afterwards with them.

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! Many blessings on you and don’t you DARE go shopping tomorrow.

Yarn Along!!

Hi Friends!

I’m participating in Ginny’s Yarn Along, where every Wednesday folks link up to her blog and share what they are knitting and reading. I don’t always participate, but it is a fun thing to do!

Yarn Along...Ginny’s blog.

 Here is what I am knitting right now.

This cardigan is for my Lily. She picked out the yarn, Quince & Co Chickadee in sorbet.  This is more than I usually pay for yarn, and I am sort of wondering if it is normal for it to look so fuzzy. Hummm...the jury is still out on this one. Has anyone else noticed this with this yarn?

The pattern is from Ravelry, here is my project page for this so far....I am “malikestoknit” on Ravelry. This project is from Melissa Schaschwary. Here is her blog--  Another Dandi Day  The pattern is the little girl’s “Cricket.” Melissa was so helpful per email when I had a question. I think she does lovely, lovely patterns...check out her blog! She has an adult version of this sweater, “Heather” that I plan on doing one day for myself. 

As far as reading, I am going to try to finish “The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future World,” by Fr. Charles Arminjon. Here is Susan Conroy’s website, the translator from French to English for this book.  You can also see an interview of Susan by Johnette Benkovic at that site. 

Susan Conroy

Wow....this is an amazing book!! I have always been a bit nervous about the “End Times.” I heard a priest say during a homily, “When Jesus comes, will you be the ones running towards Him, or away from Him?” That had a profound change in my anxiety. Of course, I want to be the one running towards Him!! We have nothing to fear as long as we stay in a state of Grace. 

St Therese of Lisieux, one of my favorite saints, read this book. It was one of her favorites. The quote on the front of the book from her is, “Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life.” 

That sold me. 

Great book, great pattern.....go forth!! 

**Humm....Ginny’s site won’t come up, it looks like her server is down or something. I’ll link up later. 

Yarn Along...how fun!!

Hi Everyone!

I am participating in Ginny’s Yarn Along...what a great idea to share what we are knitting AND reading....double bonus!! So I am reading Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather. I am reading along with some of Gabe’s reading selections for freshman year. He is actually starting early to get a jump start, which is going really well. Willa Cather’s book is one of the books to choose for early American history. I LOVE this book so far. I am about a third of the way along. It is a beautiful depiction of early French settled Quebec. Cather’s rich description of the villager’s lives is a lively and intricate look at that time period. I have learned so much, and want to re-read the pages in which she brought to life the devout Catholic life.

My knitting is coming along...I am ALMOST done with the lace scarf I am knitting for myself. This is such a rarity, that I am knitting for me, and I have stuck with a long term project. I could have finished it long ago, but have often put it aside to knit up a gift or such.

Here is the Ravelry page for the Winter Flame Scarf. I am using Knitpick’s Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn in Gypsy. Oh how I have loved this pattern. I am newer to lace patterns, and this has been easy to learn.

Look how much left you have, Mama!!

Still need to block, but it is going to be nice.

What are you reading and knitting? Check out Ginny’s blog for more links to everyone’s show and tell.