On the Needles and the Nightstand

Well, we have come to that time of year when I have to rely on some flash photos, so excuse the less-than-attractive photo ...

I have a feeling that I could use this photo every week for a while:

I have started on my second Robson. It is quite different from the first, but I like it. These scarves take two full skeins of sock yarns, so they are not exactly quick knits -- but the final product is worth it!

I'm working my way through the classic Victorian novel Middlemarch by George Eliot. It took me a bit of effort to get into it, but I am thoroughly enjoying it now.

I'll be joining up with Ginny to Yarn Along.

Thankgiving in a Few Photos

I'm sure my Thanksgiving was much like yours.

Amazing food. I dare anyone to top my brother Mike's cherry pie.

Family from afar. Here are Robbie, Rebecca, Jennifer, and Rachel.

And we can't forget Theo. (My son, however, does not allow photos, so he's missing!)

We stayed with Mike and his wife, Mary, in Washington, D.C., and I am just so impressed by her jewelry.

Isn't it adorable? If you find it irresistible, you can buy it from her Etsy store, The Crafty Lawyer.

All too quickly it's over, isn't it?

Crafty Weekend

It was a good weekend to putter around the house because winter temperatures arrived abruptly. On Thursday, the highs were in the 70's; but on Friday, the high was about 35 degrees. Not enough time to acclimate!

I'm almost done with my Robson scarf, from the Sequence Knitting book. This picture doesn't do it justice. The colors are much more subtle than they look here. I had some issues with dropped stitches, as you can see from the little stitch holder at the left. Once I get everything woven in, it is going to be an awesome scarf.

I found some time to work on embroidery:

I did get out a few times. Friday night we had fish fry for my husband's birthday with my parents. Saturday night, some friends who just visited Italy had an Italian-themed party, complete with a slide show and an Italian trivia game. And I met up with my drawing group at a local art museum:

In between, I tried to get organized for our Thanksgiving travels. We're celebrating in Washington, D.C, with my parents and brothers. Both my kids will be there, so I'm pretty excited. Plus, only two work days this week!

Hope your weekend was what you wanted!

Life Does Go On

Last night my art group met, and we talked about how focusing on our art has helped us get through this dark time. Some of us are avoiding the news, but I can't take my eyes off the continuing wreck. Even for me, creating keeps my blood pressure down.

I was struggling with what to do for the next fiber-art exhibit. Ideas are usually not a problem for me, but this was different. I went back to my sketchbook and found this:

Then I enlarged it and now it looks like this:

Eventually it will be the focal point of a quilt.

I've also been struggling to find a novel that I wanted finish. In desperation I decided to reread the greatest novel written in English:

 I'm not sure I'll finish it, considering that it's more than 700 pages. But I'm about 100 pages into it right now, and it is holding up really well. Written in 1874, Middlemarch is the story of an idealistic young woman who wants to make the world a better place -- an aspiration that was very difficult for a woman in the 1820s, when the story is set. It is a classic Victorian novel -- somewhat Dickensian -- with lots of local color and fascinating characters.

Joining up with Ginny for Yarn Along

Still In Shock

I didn't think this could happen. I didn't think there were so many Americans who would vote for a man who denigrates people of color, LGBT people, disabled people, women, and Jews. I am lucky to teach in a very diverse high school, and the passion of the students about this situation was heartening.

All students wanted to do yesterday was process the election results. They were insightful and respectful.  They cried. They reached out to one another. They demonstrated unity across racial and gender and economic divides. They gave me hope.

I know people want change. I want change, too. But change can be good or bad.

Another ray of positivity: Secretary Clinton won the popular vote. He is only president because of a dated and labyrinthine system. A majority of Americans voted against bigotry. Let us continue to move in that direction.

Loving Fall -- Especially This One

Walking home from school Friday afternoon, I had to stop and take this rather silly picture:

It was another warm day. The leaves crunched under my feet, but not loudly enough to drown out the sounds of the UW-Madison Marching Band practicing.  I gave myself a break from paperwork for the last part of the week and spent all my time working with students -- which is the good part of my job. It was one of those golden afternoons where everything felt right.

Like the leggings? They are really fun an comfortable. A few months ago I discovered Gudrun Sjoden, a Swedish designer, and I am crazy about her clothes. I bought a few with my birthday money and I'm pretty sure that's were some holiday gift money will go, too. These were part of the summer collection.

I've been doing some gift knitting. I wish I could remember and thank the blogger who pointed me to this pattern:

This is the Darn Knit Kinetic Cowl by Carly Stipe, knit up here in Berroco Brio. This is a great, fast knit. It just flew off my needles. And I love the result. It is very light and comfortable to wear. I might have to do one for myself.

My brother is visiting from Washington, D.C., this weekend, so life is good.  Hope yours is, too!

Slow Knitting

I have not been a very good blog friend lately, so please accept my apologies. I do try to read your posts and comment -- and I enjoy you all so much. My workload this fall just happens to be extra heavy. Things will slow down after winter break and then I will be able to follow everyone more carefully.

Of course, working a lot isn't good for creating, either. I have mostly been working on my sequence knitting scarf:

These are not my usual colors, but they are colors I wear a lot, so I think this will be something I use quite a bit. It's is pretty relaxing -- which is what I need after a long day at school.

I got a lot of knitting done over the last few weeks while watching Stranger Things on Netflix with Keith. It is very cheesy, but entertaining -- and scary at points. Have you watched anything good lately?

What Happened to Vogue Knitting?

I have not been a fan of Vogue Knitting. Too many of the patterns seemed designed more for the runway than for real women. And some of the patterns have been downright ridiculous! But the fall 2016 issue is different.

Not only has the size changed -- it's a bit bigger -- but the patterns are beautiful and practical -- every single pattern is a garment that you can imagine someone wearing. My favorite is this sweater, a new twist on the traditional Gansey:

There are a couple gorgeous Fair Isle patterns, like this lovely cowl:

I really like this scarf, only I'm not crazy about the ribbed, sleeve-like ends. I think I'd just Kitchner the ends for a more traditional tube scarf.

There are some really interesting articles about historic knitting, and those articles are accompanied by luscious photos:

I can't remember the last time I purchased Vogue Knitting, but this is one issue I could not resist. I wonder if this is a new trend?

Darn Those Badgers!

My friend Tsela and I spent the whole day -- the whole beautiful, warm, sunny day -- in the gym of a suburban middle school. What were we doing there? Nothing! To be precise, we were selling nothing.

These are my resin pendants made with illustrations from vintage reading primers. I love them. But they didn't sell.

The day wasn't a total waste because we got to hang out together. And we met a really nice woman at an adjoining booth. She drove more than 3 hours to get to this show, so we felt lucky in comparison. Still, we had thought we'd sell a more than a few items. She sold one pair of earrings. I sold two pairs plus some gift boxes.  If you figure in gas, we maybe broke even.

These are my handmade polymer clay beads.

The other vendors told us that they think most people were home watching the Badger football team play Iowa. We found this shocking! Who would rather watch football than go to a craft fair? Very strange.

A number of people liked these bracelets, but not enough to buy them.

We have another rural fair scheduled, but I'm ditching it. I do better in a more urban setting. My weekends are just too precious.

Forgive me if I sound grouchy. I came down with a cold yesterday, and that didn't help my day at all. When I finally got back to my house, I couldn't sit on the back porch because one of the neighbors was doing his whole yarn with a leaf blower. Am I the only one who hates those things?

I hope your weekend is more pleasant!

Knitting and Reading in Autumn Glory

The weather continues to be just glorious. I've been walking to and from work to take advantage of the mild temps and the scarlet leaves. It does mean I have to make sure I walk less at work -- but it's worth it.

Between work and the Jewish holidays, it's been hard to find time to knit or read. I did manage to finish the collar of my Vodka Lemonade sweater. I love seed stitch, but it makes for slow knitting

I've had to restart Where the Jews Aren't a few times because I usually read at bedtime, and I have been too tired to absorb everything. It's the interesting and quirky true story of how Russia set aside land near Mongolia in the 1920s to create a Jewish homeland. Obviously, it didn't work. I just started How It Went Down because I need to have a longer list of books to recommend to teen boys.

Last night my art group met at Tsela's house. I thought you'd enjoy seeing how her cat Cecil luxuriated in yarn.

I'll be joining up with Ginny to Yarn Along. See you there!