Books, Knitting

Unraveled Wednesday.

Joining in with Kat and crew today to share about books and knitting.

I haven’t told y’all how obsessed I’ve been with Andrea Mowry’s Comfort Fade Cardi – because until Tanis posted kits on November 3, I hadn’t found yarn that I wanted to use (and could afford). Dark early that Friday morning, I placed my order for the Mona Lisa kit and asked if I could substitute Chestnut for Tartan. Tanis has little ones; she replied right back that it would be no problem. And even shipping from Canada, the yarn arrived Monday.

Chestnut, Stone, Mona Lisa, Sand

… too late to wind and swatch.

And then yesterday, I had the privilege of seeing Nicole Krauss at the book festival. Y’all – total fan girl moment!

She’s smart, and articulate, and kind, and funny, and … she even said it was great that I had two books for her to sign. Hearing her talk about the why and the process of writing Forest Dark* (I was about one-third through it yesterday), has made me want to slow down to really savor the words and the story.

…in any event, by the time I got home it was too late to wind and swatch.

I’ll bet you know where this story’s headed, don’t you?

Yep, this morning I wound those four skeins. Oh aren’t they pretty?

Then I knitted a “fade” (whoa, it takes a bunch of rows!), washed and dried (to just damp) it and let it air dry to finish. And finally, about an hour ago, I measured. Woohoo – it’s perfect!

(and the gauge is spot on too)

I was skeptical about this whole fade thing – and about using a super wash merino – but that blocked swatch has convinced me… it’s ok!

Happy Wednesday! happy halfway through NaBloPoMo!! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Honoré!!!

*I actually won an advance copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway but the reviews from my friends (some of y’all) made me reluctant to even read it. When I found out Nicole would be at the book festival, I decided to give it a chance. Something is different for me, because I’m loving it. It’s not A History of Love, but I’ve already read that book (at least three times). This is an engaging exploration of new territory.

11 thoughts on “Unraveled Wednesday.”

  1. Your yarn looks good in the skeins, but it's even better in balls. I'll admit I don't quite get this whole fade thing, but with your swatch I can finally begin to understand the appeal. I've shied away from Forest Dark because of the reviews, but maybe it will help if you recount Nicole Krauss' writing process (plus blog fodder!)

  3. I would be interested to hear about Nicole Krauss' writing process and your thoughts on Forest Dark. The book appeals to me, but I was put off by the reviews. I love your yarn, it will make a lovely sweater!

  5. I always love a book more if I meet the author so I completely understand why Forest Dark is more appealing now. I'd love to know more about what Nicole Krauss said and how it made you feel more connected to the book because, as I'm sure you remember, I did not love it.

  8. New territory it is. I admire her for writing Dark Forest as I think she needed to for herself. Meeting an author changes the way you look at the world, as well as their books.

  10. The yarns for your fade are just lovely! Can't wait to see how it comes together. 🙂 I've always been a fan of Nicole Krauss, but I didn't love her latest. (Can't win 'em all. . . ) XO

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