Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Montparnasse Update, Reading, and... Spinning???

Montparnasse Sweater WIP
Well, Montparnasse is nearly done. All that's left is the collar and a good blocking. I did end up sewing the seams to the outside, as the pattern was written. It looks pretty good so far. I picked up the size 9 circular needle yesterday, so I can start the collar anytime.

I also picked up some magazines and books at Borders... I went in for one magazine - Knit 1 - (yeah, right!) which they hadn't received yet. I came out with two knitting magazines and five books! =8^O Two of the books were for my kids, and all the rest was for me(!) I finally got a copy of Eat, Pray, Love, which I have been wanting to read after hearing how everyone loves it, and 1000 Places to See Before You Die (eek - is that my midlife mortality showing???) Seriously, though, I wanted ideas for places to go on vacations that we might not have known about (besides the ones that everyone knows about).



As for the knitting, I have been enjoying the patterns in England's Simply Knitting a lot lately, even if they do call pillows "cushions". ;) Plus, they always have these clever little freebies in the bag, and I am a sucker for freebies and gadgets! I also got Alan Dart's latest book of gift patterns (softcover, and also in the magazine section). He creates the greatest knitted toy patterns, which I have seen in Simply Knitting. Finally, with Spring coming, I saw so many pretty summer patterns in Knit 'n' Style, I couldn't resist. So, there you have it... (Yes, I have a problem with obsessively collecting knitting books and magazines...)



In the meantime, I also decided to make (yes, make!) a hand spindle to try yarn spinning. I must be crazy, but it's something I have wanted to try for some time now. There's a great website called The Joy of Handspinning: The Web Site for Hand Spinners, and they have instructions for a simple hand spinner. It took 5 minutes to make, and the supplies cost under $3. I can make a second one as well (which my sister has already asked me to do...). I ordered some wool batting from my friend Keri's Etsy shop, and I am just waiting for it to arrive to get started. We'll see how it goes. I've heard that once you start, you'll want a spinning wheel (quite an expensive venture), so I am wondering if I am crazy to start this... Only time will tell!!!

Oh, and here is an update pic of the shrug I am making - I hope to finish it in time for my sister's birthday on April 17th.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the dark side!!! =) You will just love spinning I bet!

~RaenWa~ said...

I have read 1000 Places To See Before you Die I loved that book there are so many beautiful & wonderful places listed in there..I have been thinking about reading Eat,Pray,Love after you read it plz let me know what you think about it

Katie B said...

It's a good thing we don't have a Borders in my town, or I would be there all the time! The cardi looks great!

kathy b said...

MONT is beautiful. Just lovely. I may have to make a shrug. YOURS is wonderful. You'll get it done!

Gizmos and gadgets? Are you my twin. You didnt tell me what the prizes were in the mag! Please tell