Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Yarn Along 5/30/2012

Hello all! Linking up with Ginny again :)
~Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Taken from Ginny's blog



Hello all--thanks for stopping by. As the weather starts to heat up and Memorial Day came and went quietly in my home it all brings with time for reflection- to think about the troops that are defending our country and those that paid the ultimate price for keeping us free.  This week I picked up Gettyburg by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen. Last year I dived into To Try Men's Souls and Valley Forge.  Both were wonderful Alternative History reads. Did you know that there was a term for such fiction..I didn't until a very nice gentleman mentioned it to me at Barnes and Noble this past week.  I will be honest with you. It is a tough read--I have to re-read and go to my shelf  heavy with Civil War books and Maps to understand who is fighting and what is going on. Seeing images of actual people listed in a fictional book tends to blur what is the truth about the Battle of Gettysburg. You can imagine as you turn the pages of this book, that these are the conversations or thoughts of some of the men the days before the Battle. Sorry, I do tend to go on sometimes, especially about the Civil War....
My knitting this week has been about finishing projects and casting on small ones. It feels so wonderful and so carefree to set some projects aside(for now) or finish up some or cast on small ones that bring me so much joy. With the end of the school year looming large on our horizon and some other major changes for our home in Maryland it sure is nice not to knit on my lace scarf--at least for right now. I am sure I will need the distraction in the coming weeks.
I was inspired to cast on a certain whale thanks in large part to seeing Ginny and Silas whale. I wasn't able to dye my own woolies but I did manage to use some wool from my stash and I am very pleased with how ours knit up.

After "he" was completed, I was mesmerized at the thought of using the Magic Loop method to knit up a seamless toy- it was instant gratification! Having all the wool left over from the whale, I cast on a dolphin. Since it wasn't the weight called for, I believe it turned out smaller than the pattern stated but I am okay with the outcome and so were my boys. Besides, it did make it easier for tiny hands to hold. The best part is that both were finished in less than 24 hours- which means that my boys each got to hold one in time for bed.
I finished up the Lyalya  hoodie and I am really happy with it.  I really thought I was knitting it wrong but thanks to many Ravelers I was able to use their projects and notes. I couldn't have knit it without all those wonderful notes! I did think the finished knit would be bigger than anticipated--gauge on tiny hats isn't something I normally check.I am happy to report it doesn't fit my 4 year old (which is a very good thing--as it was cast on for infant sizing). My thought is that since it wasn't knit for anyone in particular it would fit the right person someday....I do hope I am able to cast on another one soon. I have never "Kitchener Stitched" so many stitches off the needles at once!
I did cast on a LTK Pilot's Cap yesterday evening. It has been on my To Knit List for ages. Do you have a list? I would love to know what is on it.  I am using some Lions Brand wool I have in my stash for ages--yeah for stash busting! I love the shaping- LTK patterns are always so cleverly constructed! And can be knit quickly. I am making the tiniest size just to see how it knits up and hopefully I will have a darling baby gift I can pass on in the future.
What are you reading and what are working on? I can't wait to catch up with everyone!

12 comments:

  1. I definitely have a "to knit" list...but I am so impatient I continue to cast on new projects. Mainly I have a large pile of projects that need to be finished, although I am getting there! The book sounds interesting. I really love the Civil War period, and also the Revolutionary War period. It is always interesting to read fiction centered around those times. Maybe I just like history in general :-)

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  2. I love the whale and dolphin. Isn't magic loop wonderful. I am so glad I learnt it. Jacinta

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  3. Both the whale and dolphin are SO cute! I love the colorway you used. I hope your boys enjoy them. :)

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  4. I want to knit the little toys too. I LOVE them . They look GREAT!!
    Lisa

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  5. I love the whale and dolphin! They are adorable. The colors are perfect. And there really is nothing like instant(ish) gratification, is there? :)

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  6. Ever since seeing that same post of Ginny's, I have been wanting to knit up some little toys for my little ones. I added a whole slew of cute ones to my Ravelry que!

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  7. I've been seeing so many wonderful knitted toys lately that I think I may have to cast on one or two. Yours are terrific.

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  8. Oh heavens, you can read Civil War history and do the magic loop!? I'm impressed. My DH loves Civil War history, so I try to download a book of this type to listen to when we're traveling. I'll be sure to add this one to my queue. And I don't care what they say about Newt, he's one smart guy.
    Blessings,
    G

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  9. That whale and dolphin are on my list for the holidays. I think they would make perfect gifts. Since living in the DC area for a few months, I am fascinated with all the history. Walking around Gettysburg was truly moving.

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  10. Cute! I think I might need a whale too...

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  11. Hi, I am your newest follower - having just found your blog. Love your knitting project. I have always wanted to read one of Newt's alternative history books. Maybe I'll pick one up now. I noticed from your profile that you are a political news junkie...me too. Love election year, except it makes my blood pressure go up! I am trying to do a yarn along every week too, except I can't knit so I blog about what I am crocheting, as well as what I am reading. Thanks for your blog. I am looking forward to following! Have a great weekend!

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  12. I LOVE that color of blue...and what a cute project!

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