Unraveled Wednesday is a weekly link-up hosted by Kat at AsKatKnits.com where we share what we’re knitting and reading. Go visit her for more inspiring knitters and readers!!
We have a few leaves changing here in New Hampshire – Fall is on its way! And we’ve been enjoying Pumpkin coffees from Dunkin for a couple of weeks now, which is the official beginning of Fall for me. This is my favorite season and I’m working hard to be mindful and appreciate every little change that happens. So here I am – wrapped in my Reagan cardigan with a cup of coffee, waiting for the sun to rise so that I can go take care of the chickens, and sitting at my desk and seeking a rhythm for this new season. It feels good!
Reading
My last Unraveled post revealed that I haven’t been reading very much this summer, but this cooler weather must be sparking something inside of me because I’m excited about reading again!
I devoured the second book in the Cormoran Strike series, The Silkworm. It was gruesome and gory which I didn’t enjoy, but I did like the scandalous world of publishing. I’m also enjoying the flourishing infatuation between Cormoran and Robin. I’m hoping to pick up the third book in the series soon.
I’m currently reading All The Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio, which was basically written for me. One of the timelines is about a flower shop in Paris during the Occupation and the whole book is a love letter to Parisian life. I’m reading this one very slowly so that I can take in the scenes and imagine buying flowers and eating croissants. Lovely!
I’m (not so) patiently waiting for my public library to receive its copy of the next Armand Gamache novel, A Better Man. I checked in with my librarian on Saturday and she said that it’s back ordered at Baker & Taylor, so she’s also ordered a copy from Amazon. How sweet is that? We’re a small town and don’t typically need multiple copies of books but… demand is high for this one!
Knitting
I’m trying really hard to find a balance between reading and knitting. Balance in life isn’t one of my strengths, so I’m skeptical about my ability to pull this off! Audiobooks help, but sometimes I have a hard time concentrating on what I’m listening to (perpetual daydreamer here) so I can go hours and then realize that I have no idea what’s happening in the story. And sometimes I just crave glorious silence. The trick is going to be paying attention to what I need in any given moment.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been working on the Old Romance Cardigan (ravelry link). It’s so great to knit! The body of my sweater is Malabrigo’s Dewberry and the sleeve inserts are knitted up in leftover Hedgehog Fibres Birthday Cake. They look really lovely together! I got the second sleeve grafted on Sunday night and have now moved on to the body. I hope I finish this sweater in 2019!! Ha!
I’ve also pre-ordered the 9th issue of Laine Magazine. This magazine has published most of my favorite knitting patterns over the last few years and I read on Instagram that the 9th issue will probably be their last. They’ve come up under fire lately for a lack of diversity which they’ve been working to address. There’s been a reckoning in the knitting community that has opened up minds and hearts and has increased inclusivity, which has been amazing to watch and be a part of. I’m just saddened to see that we can’t show grace when people are working hard to grow. And I’m very sad to learn that this magazine will no longer exist.
Is it starting to feel like Fall where you are? Are you looking forward to this change in season or holding on to summer? What are you working on or reading right now? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
The Cozy Burrow 
I’ve been slowly coming around to audiobooks because I’ve always had the same issue with my mind wandering. I’ve been more successful lately, and I think I’ve gotten better at it because I’ve reduced the distractions. I listen when I run, which means that I really want to pay attention to the book because it distracts me from how much I hate running (haha), and then sometimes while knitting or spinning, but in that instance I have to be sure there’s nothing else going on around me (nothing I could read and no one else in the room watching TV, for instance).
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It’s so helpful to hear that I’m not the only one! You’re right – the trick is no other real distractions!!
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I’m looking forward to less humidity and sweater weather and reading on the couch. Balance is hard to hold on to in my life too.
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I saw a mug that said “sweater weather is better weather” and I totally agree!! I hope there’s relief in your neck of the woods soon!
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Oh, I am full of envy of you tucked in your Reagan! My sleeves are moving along though – so hopefully mine will be finished by the time the weather turns here in Pittsburgh. Your morning start sounds just so lovely.
I am so saddened to read about Laine Magazine. I too love that publication.
(and stay with Cormoran! Silk Worm was the most gruesome and as the novels progress the dynamics of their relationship becomes more and more interesting!)
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Isn’t Reagan’s construction so clever? I haven’t knit many sweaters so I had to keep reminding myself to trust the pattern and take it one step at a time. I was so worried that it wouldn’t actually turn into a sweater!
I plan to stick with Strike! I think Career of Evil will be my next attempt at an audiobook – it’s available on Overdrive right now! Thanks for the encouragement!
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