~knitting~
A Carbeth!! I wrote about my Shetland style arc last month, and I dove right into making a Carbeth pullover sweater shortly after. I had unwound my Yellow Brick Road cardigan last winter, after wearing it a few times and not being happy with how it fit or looked on me, and was wondering what to do with the reclaimed yarn.
I love having that color in my closet, but I couldn't settle on a pattern. Then I realized that I could double the yarn and make gauge for the Carbeth, so off I went! I didn't have quite enough for the whole sweater on hand, so I had order a couple more skeins, but this project went fast! I would have been done in under a week if I hadn't had to wait for yarn.
I got it off needles on Saturday and promptly wore it to church on Sunday, without blocking it. I loved it!! I did block it on Sunday night, and I think the body of the sweater blocked slightly longer than it had been.
I'm going to try and block out 2" from the body next time, as it looks better when it just skims my waistband, but the sleeves blocked out better than they were, and the collar is just right now. It is superwash wool (worsted Swish in Jade from KnitPicks) so lacking that, I can always tighten it up in the dryer without worry.
I used Tasha's mods on the body to make it tapered at the waist, since boxy sweaters tend not to look great on me. I'm quite chuffed with the result. Also: it is super warm, and I am all about warm this season.
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| Weird action shot, but it shows the lines of the back neck nicely! |
I also ordered some DK merino yarn around Thanksgiving during a great sale on Little Knits. I was looking for yarn for Hannah Fettig's Lightweight Pullover, but I realized I could double it up for a Carbeth Cardigan instead. I had gotten some yellow bulky yarn for it, but I didn't love the color, and this daisy merino is just what I wanted, so I swatched it yesterday and cast on last night. So fast and satisfying--I'm really looking forward to wearing this one!
I'm still going to make the Lightweight Pullover--I'd bought yarn to make two, so I'll probably use the navy or purple yarn for that. (Although I might end up with a navy Carbeth, who knows. I have enough yarn for either).
I also darned Ponchik's mittens again. I had darned them last winter with dark green yarn, so I went ahead and darned the new places with the same.
I should probably add that I gave away my Major John Andre Rivel to a friend. It just didn't look right on me and while I liked how it fit in the shoulders and I found the process of knitting it enjoyable, I didn't like the way the body looked. It looks fabulous on my friend, so I'm glad it has a nice home!! I also gave my Gemini to a dear friend and it looks WAY better on her than it ever did on me. I'm so happy about it!
~reading~
I finished Stasiland (excellent) and The Kremlin's Candidate (abrupt ending), and started on Jasper Fford's Lost in a Good Book (hilarious!) I also restarted Kristen Lavransdatter, although I am finding it slow going.
I also just got this book:
and I'm eager to read it soon.
~writing~
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| The big binder with the yellow post its is the messy first draft. |
I'm in full revision mode on the novel, and finished integrating the first round of edits yesterday. I'm making a big global POV change (from first person to third limited), so that is going to take a bit of doing. I spent several hours yesterday on it, and my eyes were crossed by the end. My next task is to print a clean copy and make an editorial map to make sure each scene and chapter has a purpose and that all the plot points hang together nicely.
~watching~
First Reformed--excellent film, although the ending is kind of bonkers. I wish there were more films like this that were really grappling with what it is to have faith, especially in our current age. It's interesting to me that Paul Schrader is the guy asking these questions. I thought Ethan Hawke's performance was great. My only quibble (aside from the ending) is that someone did not do their homework about the Reformed Church. No Reformed pastor is going to wear a clerical collar, and he certainly wouldn't wear an alb in the service. And communion doesn't look like that. I think someone was trying to make it look Anglican. Which is fine, except the church is clearly Reformed!
Also watched Wings of Desire, which was a slow film, but worth it. Lots of existential questions there. I think I still prefer City of Angels, which is based on Wings of Desire, but they are both good.
There is a foreign mini series on Amazon that I recommend: Maximillian and Marie De Bourgone, which is about the late medieval period in Europe, and the conflicts between the Holy Roman Emperor, Burgundy, and France. Fascinating to watch and extremely well done.
I think I mentioned Bodyguard on Netflix last month, but if not, watch it! Richard Madden and Keely Hawes are so good in it. It's also just been nominated for a bunch of awards, all well-deserved.
~listening~
Roman Hurko's Vespers album is wonderful. I highly recommend it. My secular playlist is a little sad right now, so I'm casting around for an album to refresh it a bit. So far, no luck.
Linking with Ginny for Yarn Along!
