Tag: yarn along

yarn along

MarthaKimball4 Comments

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Phoebe and I did school yesterday sprawled out on a blanket under a great spreading maple in our backyard.  We began reading The Penderwicks.  I’m not even sure what led me to this book but I remember hearing somewhere along the way recommendations of it.  We’ve been listening to The Little House on the Prairie series on audio books, too, and Phoebe’s been re-inspired to run through the yard with her bonnet strings dangling around her neck like Laura.

I’m still not reading much lately.  Odd for me, I know,  but by the time evening comes and I’m free to read I just don’t have much brain power left.  I’m in need of some light hearted stories, so if you have any book recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

I’ve mainly been working on my waterrock vest for the Appalachian Knits spring KAL that I’m participating in.  The designer of the pattern is my friend from middle + high school days, Jennifer, and she is the one who taught me to knit!  So it’s really fun working on her pattern.  Everything she makes is gorgeous.  I’ve almost finished the body and ready to begin arm hole shaping.  I’m adding another inch or so to the body since this is a cotton/linen blend yarn and I plan to wash/dry it, so I’m adding length to account for shrinkage.  Plus I have a long torso, I think.  Anyway, I’m really enjoying knitting it.  I’ve started some socks for Phoebe too and I plan to knit a couple pairs for each of the kids and eventually a pair for myself too.

Joining with Nicole’s Crafting On, a weekly craft link up, as well as another knitting friend here.

 

yarn along

MarthaKimball6 Comments

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My yarn along posts have been missing lately, due to all the craziness of moving and settling, but also because my beloved Ginny of Small Things has decided to stop hosting the weekly yarn along link-up.  Sob.  I really miss the weekly community and chatter of knitters, many of whom somehow have become friends over the strange world of the internet.  I don’t know exactly what I’ll do in the wake of all of this, whether I’ll still share regularly or not, but somehow the weekly posts helped encourage me to finish projects and to read more, and I miss that.  I’ve been hardly reading at all since moving, I think I just need a good light-hearted book.  Any recommendations?

I’m working on a few projects, mainly a water rock vest that my friend designed (and gifted me the pattern!!  She is the most generous + sweet person).  Knitting it in Knit Picks CotLin yarn, which is new to me and really soft to work with–and inexpensive!  Then I recently cast on a featherweight cardigan for myself.  I bought this yarn awhile ago with Christmas money and it is dreamy in every way.  It’s Madelinetosh Euro Sock in color way Cold Shoulder.  So soft, such a perfect dusty lavender with flecks of mauve.  It’s the most indulgent knitting, and I’m trying not to fly through it as my yarn funds have run out!

By the way, I’ve finished my campside shawl awhile ago and I haven’t even had a chance to block it or weave in ends.  I’ve been wearing it nonstop, unwoven ends a-dangling.  I love it love it love it and think it’s my favorite knit so far.

I’ve been reading/browsing through this design/decorating book, A Touch of Farmhouse Charm with a ton of do-able and cute DIY projects as inspiration for our old/new home. 🙂  It’s a 1950s rancher, but I intend to have a touch of farmhouse charm up in here.

Happy knitting and reading friends, wherever you may be!

Joining with Nicole’s Crafting On and also my new knitterly friend Being Bodecker.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball6 Comments

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Still knitting away on my Campside and enjoying it so much.  I feel like I’m close to finishing it already, which seems crazy and too soon!  At the same time, it would be nice to cozy up in it in this freezing weather we’re having lately.  If you wanted to see pictures of my finished sweater, I shared some here.

I finished Long Days of Small Things last night, savored the last chapter and didn’t want it to end.  So good, friends, so good.  I’ll post an official review soon.  I haven’t even picked up Is the Bible Good for Women this week, haven’t read much I guess.  I have read a bunch to the kids, and this one, Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol, that we checked out from the library is hilarious for any knitter or mom surrounded by a brood of children who just wants some time to KNIT (or pursue some other sanity-saving hobby).  In the end, the only reprieve from her 30 grandchildren is to find her way through a wormhole in outer space and there she can finally finish sweaters for each of them.

Linking up with Ginny of Small Things and her weekly yarn along.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball3 Comments

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In the midst of our move at the end of February, Philippa had a high fever.  A few days later, I took her to the doctor who confirmed she had an ear infection and also Flu B.  A few days later, I came down with the flu as well, and spent the weekend in bed.  Everyone else has gone on tamiflu to avoid getting it and so far that has worked.  Thankfully, one of the few things that the flu is good for is giving time for rest.  So I was able to finish a few things!  I finished my lila sweater and love it so so much, can’t wait to share pictures with you.  I haven’t worn it yet because  it seem sacrilegious to dirty it with flu germs somehow, so I’m waiting till I’m all better.  I cast on the Campside shawl by Alicia Plummer and have been literally enjoying every stitch.  I always love knitting with Madelinetosh, maybe my favorite yarn, and this colorway is so bright and happy.

I finished Braving It, and it was a great read/distraction while being sick.  I enjoy any such story about adventures in Alaska, and this one was interesting because of the father/daughter aspect of the story.  It confirms to me my desire to raise our kids to love and treasure the wilderness and gave some inspiration toward that.

I’m almost done with Long Days of Small Things, also literally enjoying and marking up every page.  It will be one I will return to and treasure.  Such great encouragement for this busy season of motherhood.  I wish I could buy it for every young mom I know.

I’m also reading Is the Bible Good for Women, a timely read it seems with our cultural and political climate, though I think that’s probably always been true.  I’m only a couple of chapters in and curious how it will go.

Joining with Ginny’s weekly yarn along.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball4 Comments

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My lila sweater is blocking, only needs some ribbing on the neck and then weaving in ends.  I cannot wait for it to dry so I can finish and wear it!  Meanwhile, I’ve been itching to knit a shawl for some time.  The Campside shawl by Alicia Plummer has been in my queue for quite some time and it’s a free pattern that seems simple and produces a nice large cozy shawl, perfect for spring evenings.  So I’m gauge swatching for that, knitting with Madelinetosh DK in color way Harvest.

Also, I’m still reading Long Days of Small Things but also checked out Braving It from the library and have a hard time putting either book down.  I highly recommend BOTH!  Not much time for reading this week, but I squeeze in a few pages before bed.

Joining with Ginny’s weekly yarn along link up.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball8 Comments

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Sorry for the fuzzy picture, it’s a gray rainy day here so my camera didn’t want to focus.  Anywhoo… still knitting my Lila sweater.  I’m thankful for an easy, meditative, mindless knit in this busy week of last minute packing as we prepare to move this weekend.  It’s easy to pick up in the evenings and unwind while working on it.  I’ve just joined sleeves and am working on yoke shaping.  It’s been unseasonably warm here in NC in February so I’m not sure if it will be cold enough to wear it when I finally finish!  But I hope for some more winter weather before spring comes.

I am so greatly enjoying Long Days of Small Things (affiliate link).  I find myself craving to read it during the day (but no time!!) and eagerly looking forward to squeezing in a few pages when I’m in bed.  It’s a paradigm shifter for moms who have found that since becoming a mom there is no time anymore for the pursuit of God.  We hear this so often from our fellow mom friends, don’t we?  Even from our own hearts–where is the time, the energy, the finances, the brain power to put thoughts together to pursue God as we once did?  So many mothers longing to be faithful in this trying season of sacrifice, yet feeling like failures because we feel that we must choose between our own pursuit of God and satisfying the constant demands of our little ones.  No matter which we choose, we are tempted to feel like a failure for forsaking the other.  Here’s a little excerpt from the first chapter:

“Children are consuming.  They leave us with nothing left to give ourselves or anyone else.  But this is the perfect training ground for our spirits, the very setting many disciplines are designed to produce.  Our demanding, beloved children are what we create–they are our spiritual path.  What if we looked through new eyes and discovered that into our very life stages our Creator has placed impressions of himself, reflections of his strength and beauty, a spiritual path laid out just for us?”

What I’m also loving about this book is the “practices” McNiel includes at the end of each chapter.  They are simple, immediately attainable and small practices such as paying attention to your breathing throughout the day, walking, eating, washing.  All the things we do cyclicly each day, finding these human activities to be worshipful.  I have found myself thinking about this as I’ve been going about my usual routines this week and it has so deeply encouraged and helped!  Just to realize sometimes that I’m holding my breath in stress–to take a deep breath and to say to the Lord as I do so: I’m breathing in your grace and steadfast love in this moment.  I’m breathing out my fears and worries to you.  Just this little prayer, over and over throughout the day–how can it bring such joy?  But it does.

Anyway.. for any mom in the trenches: READ this book!  I’m only a few chapters in but I believe I will love it to the end.

Joining with Ginny of Small Things today and her weekly yarn along.

 

yarn along

MarthaKimball10 Comments

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I’m kniting on my Lila sleeve number two, and loving this project so much.  I can’t wait to wear it but also never want it to end! 🙂  No second sleeve syndrome over here.  I did, however, cast on for a pair of baby socks for a friend and also need to finish up another small gift item for someone else, as well.  So I’m forcing myself to set aside my lila for a few days.  Maybe.

I am crazy, crazy I know.. because I selected two books to review this month while I’m packing and moving and trying to buy a house because I simply don’t have enough to do already.  Actually, I just couldn’t resist these books!  I cannot wait to dive into this one on motherhood.  I need regular motherhood check-ups in this busy season of Long Days of Small Things.  This title grabbed me immediately and I so hope this book lives up to my expectations!  I HOPE to review it this month, so I will let you know what I think.  I did finish up The Broken Way, I tried to make it last as long as I could.  I didn’t allow myself to mark it up at all because I just wanted to savor and read and let it wash over me.  I loved it so, so very much, and will be rereading it maybe immediately.  And this time mark it up.  Please go get a copy of it!  Ann is such a gift and such an encouragement to me time and again.  And, if you notice, she also endorses the above book.

I’m linking up with Ginny’s weekly yarn along and also Nicole’s KCCO.  
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yarn along

MarthaKimball4 Comments

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Still knitting on my Lila sweater, about half way through the first sleeve.  This yarn and pattern are pure comfort.

Still reading The Broken Way.  I just read the part last night where Voskamp talks about Lark at Elizabeth’s funeral, so it was neat to hear that little mention of Ginny and her family.

Joining with Ginny today and her weekly yarn along where we share our current reads and knits, and also with Nicole of Frontier Dreams.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball3 Comments

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I cast on for the Kingsley hat a few days ago and finished it up last night.  I still need to block it and can’t wait to wear it.  It fits perfectly and it’s the first hat I’ve knitted for myself.  I really enjoyed the pattern and will definitely be knitting it again.  I originally wanted to make the slouchy version of the hat but was using stashed yarn and ran out, but I still really like the way the fitted version fits.  It’s still roomy enough for me, and I may add a pom pom as well.  I’m still knitting on my Lila sweater and just about done with the body.

Still reading The Broken Way.  Struck and sitting with the concept this week (from my reading) that God believes in me.  It sounds cheesy to say, I realize.  But it is gripping.

Joining with Ginny’s weekly yarn along today.
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yarn along

MarthaKimball3 Comments

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I set aside my Lila for a week or two because I thought I had knitted an extra 3 inches past the first side shaping.  I was nervous to rip it back and also just frustrated.  So I cast on a hat for Noah with the last skein of the Shelter yarn from his sweater.  (He had asked for a green hat and sweater.)  It was my first time doing cables and it was fun!  I finished that up in a couple of days and then picked back up the Lila and with fresh eyes realized that I had only added about 2.5 inches and I was planning on adding about 2 inches in length anyway.  So I just knitted on.  Why do our brains do this to us?!  I’m so happy to be back knitting it because it is the most relaxing knit.  I’m needing something mindless lately, as life has been so full and overwhelming.  Everyone here (except for Brandon) has been sick with a respiratory virus, and Philippa developed an ear infection to boot.  I am prepping to begin packing up the house for our move.  Etc., etc.

I’m still reading The Broken Way, and probably will be for awhile.  It is so timely.  I’ve been reading Watchman Nee’s old classic The Normal Christian Life as part of my morning study time for the last number of weeks (highly recommend), and it’s amazing how much it reverberates the same message about a cross-shaped life.  The two books seem to be talking back and forth to one another.  Isn’t that just how God works?

Joining with Ginny.  
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