Ravelry t-shirts!

If you haven't already spotted them once you sign in, Ravelry is now offering t-shirts. I purchased the black one that says "I swatched Ravelry". The picture below is a closeup of the detail.



They clearly mention that the size runs small as it is an American Apparel t-shirt. I have a 42 bust and ordered the XXL just in case. I have an XL shirt of this from American Apparel and it's really only appropriate in size for staying in my house. I also swung by my LYS and picked up enough Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Pistachio to start the Minimalist Cardigan from Interweave.



Just gotta get one of those scarves done and I will be ready to cast on.

-B

FOs and a Drop Spindle Kit

Well, I have officially blocked the Derby Poncho. Below are some pictures that DH took for me of the work in full and in detail.



I feel really accomplished with this knit because I feel like it sets me up to try my hand at a sweater. I think it will be one from Rowan. I have the yarn since I ordered it from Webs last spring when it was on closeout. So, it's just a matter of finishing some FOs from the list on the right before I cast on. Speaking of UFOs, I am about half way through the Chevron Scarf, just cast on My So-Called Scarf in the Manos #113 colorway, and am working on the second square of the Heirloom Afghan. I feel like I need to get at least one of those off the needles before taking on the sweater project. I've been working most on the Chevron. I've gotten hooked on the "Watch Now" feature of Netflix, so I've been watching the first season of Law & Order: SVU while the Chevron and I bond.

I also finished the Everlasting Bagstopper, but will hold off on posting pictures of it until the intended user has received it. Once she has, I will have a flurry of this project that I am destined to knit again.

I have been itching to try my hand at spinning, but don't want to rush into it. So, I picked up a Drop Spindle Kit over the weekend. I am excited to try it out and see how I do. The kit is a great one put together by Aboundingful Farm . I will keep you updated on the progress as it develops. Maybe I'll see how it takes by the time Rhinebeck rolls around, and perhaps I will come home with some fleeces to spin on my own. Only 34 days until Rhinebeck is here, so I keep knitting to feel like I have gotten through a good amount of stash to justify the cash that will be dropped that weekend. Can't wait!

-B

Two Book Reviews

I'm surprised that at least ten days have gone by since I last posted. I've made good progress with my knitting this past few weeks, especially in light of how busy work has become again. I realized last night, however, that I had finished two more knitting mysteries and never posted about them. Both books were enjoyable, although I am enjoying one series more than the other.



I have continued to read the Knitting Mysteries by Maggie Sefton. I finished book two, Needled to Death, a few weeks ago, and once again enjoyed the adventures of Kelly and her friends as they piece together another murder mystery in their knitting community. The characters were better developed in this second book, but the author continues to try and have too many friends at the knitting shop, and therefore, since not many of them have developed solid plot lines, they are often confused for each other by this reader. I wish she would pare down the amount of characters and focus on the story, but perhaps she has something planned for all of them in future books. I already have reserved the next book in the series, A Deadly Yarn, at the library in hopes that the series improves.



The other knitting mystery that I read last month was Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger. I totally love this series. What Sefton is still working through, Kruger does wonderfully. The mystery is interesting, Kruger does an amazing job of developing characters that matter, and I would love to visit the imaginary shop in the book. As someone who has spent time in the Buzzards Bay area of Massachusetts, I also enjoy the regional references that Ms. Kruger provides since she lives there. Ariadne, LYS owner and designer, and Diane, her best friend and spinner, team up again in this book with Ariadne's possible boyfriend, Detective Josh Pierce, to solve mysteries and keep their daily lives as sane as possible. I can't wait for the next one in this series, but don't know when it's coming. Here's to soon!

-B