Knitting update

I haven't been posting here much, bad me.  I may not be able to keep 2 separate blogs, dogs and other, but I will try a little longer.  I have a whole big list of books to add to the reading list, but not today.  Today I want to post my most recent knitting.  In March I had an outdoors activity and I realized the first hat I knit a while back just didn't match my jacket, and is a bit to short to cover my ears.  It seemed a good excuse to knit myself something new.  A new hat and my first pair of mittens.  These were done with a bulky acrylic-the next ones will be a more natural material.  Probably wool, but I saw a pair of silk mittens that were sinmply lovely and well, maybe a new experience some time down the road.

I have sockitis now

I ahve almost finished my second sock. I am addicted to sock knitting I think.  I have yarn and 2 different patterns and am going to start another pair as soon as I finish the second sock of the first pair tonight. Pictures to come!

Book Review- Tangled Webs

I love Anne Bishop's books.  Tangled Webs follows the Black Jewels Trilogy, and is almost as fabulous. I wish she could write a new book for me every day, but then I would never get anything else doen. I just cant put them down. 

Book list update- review Dean Koonts Frankenstein Lost Souls

Well, I have been so busy with everything else, I haven't been reading hardly at all, only listening to books. Thats OK actually, it means my normal winter depression is under control, for now and all the dog events and training are keeping me up and moving. Much better than hibernating and reading really.

However just finished Lost Souls and I was very dissapointed.  I usually love Koontz, but this one left me flat, almost bored. Its part of a series I think as there is reference to prior happenings and it leaves off without a real conclusion. Not interesting enough for me to bother with the others. Oh well.

last night I got a start on sock number 2. I will be curious to see how long this one takes me.  The dog show rush is over, next shows not until later in the month.

Turning the heel

I guess it was a couple of years back now (wow time flies) but a while ago I decided it was time to learn to knit.  So I did. I knit a sweater from my granddaughter, some hats for the family and a few other simple items.  Then I decided to knit a vest for myself - done not perfect but a success.

But then it was time to try a sock. Started out great, knit the first leg of sock 1. Oh time to do the heel. HMM, Maybe instead I will knit the top of sock two, great, but now Ihave 2 socks needing a heel.  Well, maybe its time to put that away for the summer after all have gardening to do no time to knit. Honestly reading the directions for the heel confused me. Scared me. Easier to just put the whole darn thing away.

This weekend I decided I wasnt going to let the sock win.  I went and picked up sone heavier yarn, and some larger DPNs. I thought maybe if I worked with something a bit more substantial, I would be able to see it better. Found a different pattern for an anklet in a worsted weight and cast on. Knit the ribbing, moved on to the heel   Read the pattern over and over, got on line found a sock site and looked at pictures. Re-read the directions and picked up my knitting. Turned the heel woohoo, created the gussett BIG WOOHOO and now I just need time to knit the foot.  It wasnt really that hard once I figured out and understood the terms, once I learned a little bit how to manage all those needles.   I am rather proud of my little socklet.

Book - Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid

This has to have been one of the best books I have listened to in a while. It's really a pre-quel to A Dog Named Christmas. If you like hearwarming stories this one is for you. If you saw the movie or read A Dog Named Christmas, this book is the story of why the father was so reluctant to have a dog.  the story is fabulous, and the reader is perfect. Loved it.

Cold Minnesota Winter + Books

Its cold outside and I am not an outdoor person. So there really is no better time to grab a good book and curl up.  Since i didnt have time to go to the library with the dog show Friday, I chose to reread a couple of favorites. Anne Bishops Black Jewel Trilogy.  Adult fantasy wonderfully done.  The days just floated on by, with a book in hand and a dog curled up next to me.  Hope your weekend was equally peaceful.