Oooh, those colorwork yoked sweaters really are my favorites.  Something about the simple construction that just makes me smile.  There was Aftur, and then Jacquard, and the Védis Vest, and the most recent Liberec sweater for Kris … and the newest (in progress) addition:  Eyja!

Body done and sleeves complete to the armholes – time to yoke up!  I pulled out my long circular needle and counted around the 300+ stitches.  Sure beats the 600 stitches I had going on for Kris’s sweater on size 2 needles earlier this year.  Puts things in perspective!

I am making a small change to the colorwork chart, but I doubt it will be that noticeable.  I am also planning to add one more color – a deep purple – for a 4 color yoke instead of the 3 colors in the pattern.  Hoping it won’t be too *loud*.  I realized as I was knitting the body together that the majority of yarns for this sweater (minus the ivory) were bought in Canada.  The main color, the dark teal, was purchased in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia at Hands On Crafts (my fun day with Ingrid and Annie!) and the mustard yellow was purchased in Vancouver, British Columbia earlier this year while visiting Christa at Three Bags Full.

Can’t wait to start this colorwork!

PS: Looking for a little pattern inspiration?  I am doing a crafty bookshelf sale – check out what I have here!

A selection of summer reading, artfully arranged thanks to BigHugeLabs… it’s been an eclectic season – so, I am going to focus on the graphic novel and fiction highlights first and save the batches of non-fiction for a later posting.

Graphic Novel Highlights

Blankets by Craig Thompson ::  I read this huge (600+ pages) in a few hours – mind you, it is a graphic novel.  As I turned the last page, I wiped the tears away from my eyes.  It was a profound story, and one that hit so close to home.  One of the most beautiful graphic novels I have encountered, and probably one of my favorite new books altogether.  Thompson has a few other graphic novels, and another one in the works (according to his blog – lots of illustrations!), and I will definitely be reading them.  Highly recommended. [ Full review at Goodreads ]

Alan’s War: The Memories of G.I. Alan Cope by Emmanuel Guilbert ::  This graphic novel was my second by Guilbert (the first was The Photographer, which I enjoyed very much and review back in the spring) and it was told from a different angle – it was oral history illustrated. Simple story with simple graphics – quite appealing. The artist met the storyteller and the project was born from their conversations on WWII experiences. Understated and subtle drawings with a lot of emotion. [ Full review at Goodreads ]

Fiction Highlights

Nothing quite matches the monumental fiction that I encountered within the last year (Atwood, Russell, Collins) but I was entertained by a few things…

The Passage by Justin Cronin :: “Where’s Lolly?” “No idea… haven’t seen her in awhile…” –  This monster book came along with me to the beach -  and once we arrived, I disappeared with this book (and a bottle of beer). It’s been called epic. Yes, it is that. Can’t put it down. Yep, that too. And when people ask me what it’s about, I can’t quite figure out what to say other than “Military experiment gone wrong – viral vampires, post-apocalyptic… The Road… I am Legend…” and because this is similar to many of the other books I have been reading of late, I usually get an eye-roll and a smirk.

There are some great reviews of this book already posted, so I will just add that I was definitely entertained: the first section of the book was my favorite, taking place in the near future (2012 or 2013). Not really a horror story in the way that I was scared to turn the lights off… and if I recall, there were even a few times I laughed. One such part – towards the end – was not intended to be funny… but every time Roswell, New Mexico is mentioned (this time in a completely non-alien context) I have to laugh because I grew up there and have endured many a-question about my Roswell life… I have a feeling that this book is just going to gain more steam, so go ahead and get on the train  [ Full review at Goodreads ]

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell :: Probably my lowest rated book to be included – but the subtitle here is “highlights”, and it is definitely something I won’t be forgetting any time soon… A crazy trippy ride. This book was my companion on an inter-continental flight -read it cover to cover on the plane. I was conscious of my seat mates reading over my shoulder… and there was slight embarrassment as this book is full of expletives and explicit scenes. But hey, it’s about mobsters. It’s kind of their “deal” to be like that. It’s a hell of a story – parts of it really grossed me out and I am not usually squeamish. Other parts were very informative. Bazell is a real doctor and he shares lots of information on anatomy, pathology, etc. I figure if any one asks me about this book in the future, I will most likely remember the gross parts as they are the ones that stick with you. I will never think of shin bones the same way. Style reminded me of Irvine Welsh and Chuck Palahniuk – raw and gritty but ultimately good storytelling.  [ Full review at Goodreads ]

Kris and I traveled down to central Virginia on Friday evening for a weekend with my sister and brother-in-law.  All the I-95 traffic was worth it: we had a new doggie nephew to meet!

Martin, the crazy pup

Saturday Hiking with the puppies at Pocahontas State Park – Sarah (with Jen), Andrew (with Martin) and Kris (with Bella)

Jen and Bella were quite fond of Martin.

Sightseeing in downtown Richmond

…and yummy veggies + drinks at Nile Ethiopian in Richmond…

Kris and I have traveled near and far this summer, and this was a fun little last minute overnight excursion that will have to hold us over until our next out-of-town getaways (Rhinebeck, New York in October for me – first time going to the NY Sheep and Wool festival! and then southern Florida in November!) unless we have a surprise last-minute trip in the meantime…

Where have you been this summer?

Three years ago today, Kris and I were leaving the Amazon city of Iquitos and traveling to Cusco, Peru.  We were covered in mosquito bites and filled with one of the most amazing landscapes we have ever seen – a forest pulsing with life.

We feasted on a huge dinner at a restaurant in Iquitos – it was a goodbye dinner for the small eco-tour group that we traveled with, and I have wonderful memories of my time there…

With the thoughts of Peru in our heads (and musings about a return trip to the Amazon…), and the help of the new cookbook, Viva Vegan!: 200 Authentic and Fabulous Recipes for Latin Food Lovers (full review to come – promise!), Kris and I put together a big meal inspired by our time in Peru.

Lime Chile Breaded Seitan with Okra and Swiss Chard over Brown Rice + Tomato Chile Pineapple Salsa and Fried Plantains

It was a good way to use garden veggies (okra, chard, peppers, tomatoes) and to play around with new things like plantains (which are hard to get right… but this second batch turned out well, thank goodness) and to try out the new recipe book.Food and the associated senses can definitely “take you back” to a place – a time that you remember fondly.

Drinks / food with fellow travelers in Cusco, Peru

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I’d love to hear about your experiences with travel and food.  Have you had a unique culinary experience while you traveled?

It’s inevitable that when the longest and hottest days of summer hit (that would be now), my mind automatically shifts to the fall season.  Projecting to the cooler temperatures and the warm knits to come… trying to plan ahead…

My knitting has slowed a bit this year – at this point last year, I had already knit 6 garments and a handful of other accessories.  This year, I only have 2 garments down, but many more scarves completed.  What I do have:  a whole lot of plans for the future.  Pullovers and cardigans on my brain.

Round One:  the Switcheroo Cardigan (+cowl and armwarmers) and Eyja Pullover

The Switcheroo (designed by the wonderfully talented Mandy Moore, who I had the pleasure of meeting in person in Vancouver earlier this year) is featured in Mandy’s book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti.  Brilliant design – simple 3/4 length sleeve plain front raglan cardi with a detachable cowl and detachable arm cuffs.  So customizable!  I will be casting on right after I finish this post in that yummy red yarn above it.   The Eyja pullover is another of my favorite Icelandic patterns that has been in my queue for years – this one from the Lopi #26 collection.  I am using Briggs & Little Regal yarn for the body – the main color is this great teal, and I am still working out the plans for the yoke, but it looks something like this.  I like options.

…leaning towards the gold, violet, and ivory now… still thinking…

…and everything was fine and dandy and I had a plan for the future – and then this came along.  Oh Delancey!  I think I had a dream about you last night.  It’s gotta be that shawl collar.  I think I want one in every possible combination of stripes and solids.  LOVE   …and can’t forget Kerrera.  Love that too.

I could go on for awhile… sigh

What are you dreaming of for fall?  I can’t be the only one…