How is it that the Yarn Along has slipped past me for several weeks now? My how time has flown by!

Yesterday I pick up my double pointed needles and began knitting some fingerless mitts for myself (finally!).  I’m using the handspun hand-dyed yarn I posted about the other day and I am just loving the fact that these are going to be for me! I’m also enjoying using my Brittany double pointed needles again. (video review of them here if you are interested.) I have not used them in forever and have missed them. I love how they feel and think they are really wonderful to knit with- and no I’m not being paid to say that!

A few weeks back I finished the Language of Flowers and enjoyed it so much even if at times I hated the main character and how she treated people (even if I understood why). It was very frustrating for me at times. I have since had a hard time picking up a new fiction book. Has that ever happened to you? Do you read a book and connect with the characters so much that once you put it down it becomes hard to pick up a new book and move on to a different story? It’s like having to tell good friends goodbye. I felt this way after reading the Language of Flowers.

I spent a couple of weeks browsing magazines and nonfiction books waiting for the urge to start over with a different fiction book to hit. It finally did Monday night and I began reading Into the Free by Julie Cantrell. This story is set in Mississippi during the Depression and opens with the main character, Millie, at nine years old. Immediately I was pulled in by Millie’s narrative voice and I am hopeful this book will not disappoint. I have only made it to chapter 4 so far but am already hooked.

My “to read” and “to knit” lists are ever growing thanks to our weekly Yarn Along posts. I always enjoy seeing what else everyone has been reading and knitting. As always, thank you to Ginny for hosting it every week.

{Pattern and Ravlery notes can be found here.}

Yet another week has flown by and it is once again time for Wednesday’s Yarn Along. I know I kept saying it but, these weeks are certainly flying by!

Last week I was able to pick up a book from our local library that I had requested and have been waiting several weeks for. It was finally my turn to check it out! the Language of Flowers pulled me in immediately. Not surprising either considering the amount of content surrounding plants and flowers. The book is about a recently turned 18 year-old foster girl and how her knowledge of the Victorian language of flowers changes her life.

This week I am reading Ariella the Story of the Root Children. I just love childrens books that spark imagination while teaching the child about a subject as well. This is a beautiful story about Mother Earth and the Root Children waking up and preparing for Spring. Below is my favorite photo. Notice Mother Earth is knitting with double pointed needles. Only a knitter would notice that immediately.

I would have liked to have shared some photos of my progress on Ariella’s sweater this week but really have not made enough progress to make it worth sharing. So, instead I thought I would show you some yarn I just finished spinning up for my older son. He picked out the colors for a hat he wants me to knit him. The yarn is corriedale and it is the natural color of the fiber. I told him I could dye it for him but he said he preferred the dark brown and white. I can’t wait to see it knitted up.

We have had quite an adventuresome filled week. I hope all of you are enjoying this second week of February as much as we are. I look forward to reading about what is on your needles (or hooks!) and what books have caught your eye this week.

As always, thanks to Ginny for hosting our weekly Yarn Along.

As I sit down to write up this blog post I am completely amazed that we are now into February. Was it not just Christmas? I suddenly feel like I need to hurry up and finish a bunch of my knitting projects before Spring gets here. (Although I do not know why I fret when one considers that it can feel like winter all the up to June here in the Pacific Northwest.)

I just the other night picked up some yarn from my little shop to make Ariella a new sweater. I have really been wanting to make her a tea leaves cardigan but she does not like the idea of even 3/4 sleeves right now so upon browsing Ravelry a few nights back I stumbled upon this sweet little short sleeve sweater. It seems just perfect for Ariella and I find it to be the cutest little cardigan. I think a happy middle ground was found. I am so far really enjoying the easiness of the pattern even if it is written different than how most seamless patterns I have knit are written.

I picked up several books from my local library last week and am pouring over them at night when I should be going to bed. I love flipping through knitting books, even if I never intend to knit any of the patterns found in them. The only book I really have not delved into much is the one you see on top in the photo. It is a heavy subject and I have not had the energy for it just yet.

Before this posts grows too wordy I have to tell you about a children’s book that I am so excited to have found at my local library. In fact I think I love it more than Ariella and Gabriel! I found it at the library last week nestled under a section called “Fairy Tales” and just cannot not stop gazing at the photos in it.

The book is called Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor. This book has the most wonderful little hand sewn pictures to go with each nursery rhyme. They are so whimsical and beautiful with all their amazing details.

As you can see the illustrations are just wonderful. The little dolls in the photos are similar to the Bendy Dolls I made Ariella for Christmas this year. In fact, I browsed the author’s website multiple times for inspiration while I was making those dolls.  Amazon carries this book in hardcover and I have added it to my shopping cart. I just might have to get a copy just for me!

As always, thank you to Ginny for hosting this weekly Yarn Along. I cannot wait to see what everyone else has been up to this week.

XoXo