Thursday, June 3, 2010

A little knitting and lots of reading

My knitting has slowed down considerably since the weather warmed up. One item on the needles is this Apple Tree Scarf (link to Ravelry). It is knit in a chevron pattern, and I've been thinking about frogging it because the sides curl too much, in spite of the selvage stitches. But I'm going to think about it some more before I do anything drastic.

Still working on my Multnomah shawl (another Ravelry link). I'm up to 200 stitches and almost ready to start working on the lace section. It's an enjoyable pattern. This is the best I could do for a photo because it's all scrunched up on circular needles. I wish you could see how pretty the colors actually are.

I'm having a great time reading Pride & Prejudice sequels and adaptations. There are SO many out there, and they range from extremely dull to extremely raunchy. One of my favorites so far is Suspense & Sensibility by Carrie Bebris. It is the second in a series of Regency mystery novels featuring the Darcy's, and this one in particular also has characters from Sense & Sensibility. (It also has a supernatural element, so if that is not your bag you might not like the first couple of books in the series.) I picked up three more in the series at the library this evening and can't wait to read them this weekend.

On Monday I got out and hiked in the hills near my home. It felt so good! I had to move very slowly because I'm not used to walking uphill anymore, but it was easier than expected. There were a few quail out and about, along with lots of little brown birds that I couldn't identify. I thought I heard an owl hooting in a small valley, but it might have been kids playing around and I was too tired to go up an incline to check it out. This deer greeted me at the end of the hike. I'm hoping to go back this weekend if it isn't too hot.

What are your weekend plans? I would love to know.

16 comments:

Rachel said...

Beautiful scarf and shawl. I can understand why your knitting slows down as the temperature increases - all that wool is hot on the lap and hands!

Ahhh... reading and knitting... if only they were in my plans for the weekend. No doubt you can guess what I'll be doing. All weekend long.

Linda said...

Oh my goodness Stacy! Those yarns are amazing!!

Theresa said...

Love the shawl and scarf, the colors are gorgeous! Cute deer and sounds like a great day outdoors! Enjoy your weekend my dear friend! I will be at the ballfield and loving it:) Hugs!

Maiden Jane said...

Love your reading list! I simply adore the colors of your scarf and shawl. I understand about the curling, however. I don't have the answers for that.

Peg said...

Beautiful projects and yarns! Great reading list...I listen to audio books so I can read and knit at the same time.....

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh, I love that gorgeous yarn in the scarf you're making! And how lucky to find the little deer -- I love it when stuff like that happens.

I'll be trying to make a quick graduation quilt this weekend. I've already had a set-back which will cost me about 3 hours -- I had hoped to pick up a few extra fabrics at lunchtime today, but I forgot to grab the matching fabrics when I left home this morning, so it will have to wait until tomorrow. Grrrr.

Have a great weekend!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

all that reading. wow. I haven't read like that in a long time. 5 years. LOL! Unless reading "Green Eggs and Ham" over and over again counts. The colors in that yarn you're using in your Apple Tree scarf is GORGEOUS!

Suz said...

oh I love that yarn color
good for you for getting out and hiking..you were rewarded with the beauty of nature
go see letters to juliet....it's romantic

oh that Darcy dreamboat

M.E. Greene said...

I LOVE those colors. Gorgeous! And your stack of books made me grin. I do so love Mr. Darcy. :)

Dogwood said...

Beautiful knitting projects. The colors are beautiful. Looks like some fun summer reading. I am back from Hawaii. Had an absolutely fabulous time and Elle was so cute at graduation and her party.

Rocky is so, so happy to have us home. He has been following me around and staying really close. So sweet...love our Rocky.

Have a fun weekend. Dogwood

Unknown said...

Now I know what I'll be reading this summer! Thanks for the info on Pride and Prejudice adaptations. I've just poked around your blog a little bit, but I love all of your photographs of nature. I do so miss the trees in California now that I'm back living in Texas.

Christina Silverio said...

HA! I'm on a huge Pride & Prejudice sequel/prequel/spin-off kick as well! Right now I'm reading The Darcys and the Bingleys (great comedic voice!). I just finished The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy, which I loved. If you like some with a bit of a supernatural spin, there's Mr.Darcy,Vampyre, or Jane Bites Back (which isn't P&P, but reallllly awesome!). You can be sure I'll be checking out your stack soon as well. ;)

VS said...

I am a fair weather friend when it comes to knitting! I only knit in winter, I just get the urge & out comes the needles & off I go.
Now, I must also say...the only thing I know how to knit is a scarf & that's because all I can do is knit 1, knit 2 & so on! LOL I have knitted since HS, nut have NEVER gotten any better...isn't that sad? I think when I bring out the needles again in the fall I may try to use your baby bootie pattern & try & make a pair. It's scarey now to even think of it!! All that counting & changing stitches & keeping track of what your doing...I'm sweating just thinking about.
That must be why I only knit scarfs. I can pick it up after a long hot summer & know exactly what to do...just knit! lol
You are a Knitting Superstar Friend!
Smiles,
Susie

stringsofpurls said...

So pretty, those varigated yarns. You are immersed in all things Darcy. What fun! Come visit me.. I have a present for you.

Kim's Treasures said...

Your knitting projects are beautiful! Your walk sounded so nice! I love to take walks and be with nature!

Unknown said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for blogging about your summer reading! I was going to spend my summer re-reading the Twilight books but upon reading your post I checked out the first two of Carrie Bebris' Mr and Mrs Darcy Mysteries from the library. They are wonderful and so fun to read. You've opened up a whole new genre to me.