Jul 22 2007
Taking Turns
I wanted to start fresh with some new small knits – I can’t quite get the rhythm going on my black knee highs, so I wanted another portable project – or two – to stow away in the knitting bag.
While anxiously awaiting the arrival of a certain book on my doorstep, I decided to deter myself with some stash organization. One thing lead to another, and before you knew it, this yarn was all balled up and the project was assigned.
Woolarina Handpainted Fingering Merino
Purchased at Crafty Bastards 2006
Once THE BOOK did arrive, Kris and I decided to savor it. We are taking turns by reading aloud chapter by chapter to each other. It is quite enjoyable this way – and the best part is that we can discuss it together. It is slower to read aloud, as we are not even half way through the book yet, but since this is the last one of the series, I wanted to remember the magic.
…and the chapters that he reads? well, you see, that is when I knit…
On a whim, I decided to break from my usual Nancy Bush patterns, and I cast on for the “Classy Slip Ups” from Betsy McCarthy’s Knit Socks! book. The book was a gift a few years ago, and there are some cute patterns inside – many for heavier weight yarns too. This particular pattern caught my eye, and I wanted to see how it would work with the handpainted yarn. I did not realize just how perfect of a match it would be!
Just to keep things interesting, I also chose a pattern and some yarn for a new mitten project. Yeah, knitting mittens in August. Go ahead and laugh.
![Yarn for my next [small] project...](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/863409637_015d504381.jpg)
Koigu KPM and Louet Gems
You knew I couldn’t stray too far from Nancy! Hilja’s Mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia
I love knitting pullovers and cardigans, however, I feel like small projects are the place to really experiment. Plus, they are so easy to carry with me – and I am going to be traveling quite a bit in the next month, so these little knits fit the bill!
I love that y’all are reading the book to each other! That’s so sweet! What does he do when you are reading aloud?
Love the new sock!
My husband and I always read to one another, I love that so much. And mittens are always appropriate!
He just sits there! I told him he could work on the sock! Usually the dogs realize he has free hands and they decide that it is time for a belly rub
Oooh, I was just thinking about starting some mittens too!
I raced through the Potter–read the whole thing yesterday, and now I kind of wish I had savored it a little bit more…well, that’s what re-reading is for!
Enjoy the book! Usually, my Mom and I have ended up bringing the latest Harry Potter on vacation with us and doing exactly that–taking turns reading it aloud, but this book, she’s curious enough to want to read it now rather than waiting until our next trip, so . . . we won’t get to do that with this one. I’m going to miss that!
What a fun way to read the book! The new socks look lovely!
My husband and I read the 5th book aloud to each other, but it took so long that we decided to not do that again. I think we are just too impatient.
I am trying to read this one slowly, but I’m finding it hard to put down!
oh…both new projects are beautiful! Think of the mittens as socks for your hands — and who doesnt love to knit socks year round?!?
I have a copy of the book reserved but have yet to pick it up — I cant believe you are halfway though…I am pretty excited to start.
Hubby and I read #6 together and decided to continue the tradition this time. It IS fun to be able to talk and discuss and wonder together and we are certainly enjoying it too! I’m knitting along when it isn’t my turn too!
The sock yarn is a lovely color.
As for the mittens….well, it will get cold again someday and you’ll want to be prepared.
Beautiful sock, and those mittens will be gorgeous!
I love the way you are reading the book together. I wish I had done that with my kids, but instead they devoured it in a day. Now it’s my turn and I think I will savour it.
I LOVE the Woolarina colorway. And I have mittens on the mind as well.
I wanted to savor the book, but I’m so afraid of spoilers, so I finished it rather quickly. Enjoy – I love reading aloud.
The sock is scrumptious. For the mitten I vote for a blue background because the tan + pink have similar saturation values while the blue is darker. Mmmm, mittens.
I think that the way you are reading this last installment is grand! what a special way to share a book and make some great memories (and socks!–that yarn is simply delicious, very rich and jewel like). Happy reading, listening, and knitting.
My husband reads books aloud to me all the time – we always have one going. It started when we were dating and it works out really well because he loves to read and I love to knit. It is really great to be able to discuss the book as you are going along.
ahh love the yarn shots… such teases
Oh and I wish my boyfriend was in to HP, but alas that’s OK, I get to cuddle up with the book and take it all in myself. Although having someone to read to me would at least allow me to get some stitches in!
What a great idea about reading out loud together!!! I got my book Saturday and am torn between knitting and reading (and the kids and work!). If only I could get my husband to read aloud to me like you!
The Woolarina is absolutely gorgeous! It is so lovely that I think you should have two turns to knit and only one to read! It seems only fair!!!
I commend you for thinking of mittens in August! Good prep I say! I have Mittenettes on my August knit me list along with long ignored socks (if I ever get done with my Pi I’ll have a bit more room on my plate!)
I love the recent pictures of family. I also love the colors on the new socks you are knitting…Be-A-UUUtiful!
Kisses!
Great idea to read it aloud! Do you do voices too? I love the colors for your mitten projects – I’ve been thinking of tackling something like that in the Fall, but I first need to learn stranded knitting. hehe
Well, I’m not laughing at you because I’m finishing my Norwegian Gloves right now, too. ^^ I like the colours for your mittens, I’d stay with the light one for the background and the rest as it is in the pattern.
Hey, I just finished up a pair of fair-isle socks, inspired by your knee-high hopes! I think the mittens should be tan with the blue for the square motif and pink on the cuff (a pastel version of the picture, essentially). Although Blue on Pink might be cute, too! Any thoughts on your upcoming August Project Spectrum project?
Lovely new projects, Lauren! I’ve been thinking about knitting some Nancy mittens too, and those look just beautiful. About the colours, I think I would use the pink for the border, and tan for the background with blue motifs. I can’t wait to see how you decide to do it!
Beautiful socks. I love that slipped rib pattern with the colors.
I’ve really enjoyed hearing how everyone is reading HP – it’s very cool to know all the different ways so many people are spending time curled up with a good book.
That is such a lovely way to enjoy the final book- together.
I have just finished. The seven of them now neatly and lovingly lined up on my bookshelf where they belong- together.
I *love* the new sock colorway…really beautiful! Have fun reading the book. Reading to each other is great.
How sweet, that you’re reading the book aloud to each other! Neither my husband nor I has read any of the series, so all this excitement about it is sort of lost on us. Maybe someday…
I absolutely love the sock you’re knitting! The pattern and yarn work so well together. I will have to give that pattern a try on some of the variegated yarn that I have.
Those mittens are fabulous, too! If I were knitting them, I’d go for a sort of “girlified” version of the original, using the pink in place of the red, the tan in place of the cream, and the navy in place of the black.
what a great idea to read it aloud! if hubby and i were home at the same time, that would be great to do….
i think the pink background with blue motifs and the beige cuff? or blue background, beige motifs and pink cuff? you should play around in Excel- it will really help you see it!
Wow! That’s some patience you have! I tore into the book and had it finished by Saturday night!
I love to knit mittens in August! They’re small, portable, and even more mindless than socks. Though the ones you’ve chosen are less so.
Beautiful pattern!
I’m also reading my book slowly. While I can’t wait to see how it ends, I also want to stretch it out, since once it’s over, it’s really over.
MIchelle and I have read all of the HP books this way. We finished Deathly Hallows last night after reading practically all weekend. We took today off from work to recover!
I finished a Sockapalooza sock while Michelle read.
Enjoy the book!
What a great idea to read the books outloud to one another. My husband and I do that every now and then. It’s a lovely thing.
But alas, my sweetie isn’t into the books, so I devoured mine all day Sunday.
Funny about waiting for the book to come. I had so much nervous energy that I cleaned out the laundry room! I so should have been knitting instead!
And BTW, beautiful colors for the mittens. I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
- Leslie
I love that way of reading books to one another. It will be awesome when Jacob is old enough to let us do it again!
And what a great set of socks to share with the last book. Enjoy both!
Very sweet that the two of you are reading it together!
That Woolarina yarn is GORGEOUS!!!
That is so cute that you read to each other like that. I don’t know if I want to read the book so soon, because I don’t think I want it to end! I did see the movie over the weekend, it picqued my interest in knowing how it all gets wrapped up.
Thinking about knitting mittens seems to be very foresighted to me – you’ll be ready when the cold winds start to blow. I’m thinking about some mittens, too as my aunt requested some as a gift, so you’re not the only one.
Beautiful pics! How sweet that you 2 are reading it to eachother. This last book must be savored!
I just got Folk Knitting in Estonia in the mail yesterday!! I can’t wait to make some of the fancy stockings and mittens! I love the one you chose – and I think the colors will work well together. I’d kind of copy her color scheme – with the blue and tan in the main section and the pink at the bottom.
I love that yarn, andyou’re right- it’s perfect with that pattern! Don’t you love when that happens? Those socks are going to be beautiful!
DH and I had to buy 2 copies of the book, because we don’t share well. We did our best to read at the same speed and stop at the end of each chapter to discuss. It was a really great way to read it!
What a great idea! I have always thought how wonderful it would be to read aloud to a partner (and be read aloud too) glad to read someone is living the dream!
And what a fantastic book to do that with. Enjoy.
how cute and selfless that you are reading it to each other. i would not let it out of my sight, grasp, immediate area until i was finished.
love that you guys are reading it to each other. e has no interest
i started it yesterday morning and got 3/4 of the way through… i have no self-control!!