It’s been another week of sweater sleeves, a little Bible sweater knitting and some reading. I also had a rare reading experience this week: I started a book, decided I wasn’t enjoying it and simply stopped.
Honestly? I’m getting pretty good at that.
Here’s what I’ve been knitting, reading and loving this week.
Knitting
Bangle Bracelet
I finished another bangle bracelet. It’s purple with hints of green on one edge. These are fin to make and fun to wear. I’v also made them in beige, burnt oranges and aqua-ish blues.
My First Sweater
Sleeve #1 is DONE!
This feels like a pretty big milestone because this is my first sweater, and that first sleeve seemed to take approximately 4,000 years to knit.
But it’s finished, including all of those decreases, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
And because apparently finishing one sleeve means immediately starting another…
Sleeve #2 is underway.
I’ve picked up the stitches and I’m about 12 rounds into the second sleeve. So now I’m officially in the “do it all again” portion of sweater knitting.
The good news is that I know what I’m doing this time. The better news is that sleeve #2 should hopefully go a little faster now that I’ve worked through the construction once.
I’m also continuing to work on my Bible sweater, so I have a little variety in my knitting life.
At this point, I’m very much enjoying having a couple of projects to rotate between, especially when one involves sleeve knitting and I need a change of scenery.
Reading
Finished:
The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers
I finished The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers this week.
I really enjoyed spending time with this book and its characters, and it made for a fun addition to my reading list.
There’s something particularly appealing about a story centered around a retirement home full of famous writers. It’s a premise that practically begs for interesting personalities, secrets and complications.
And now it’s officially off my currently-reading list.
This is the first book that I read on my iPad. I borrowed it from the library and read a little each night until I finished it and check out another ebook from the library.
By the way, reading books on my iPad is my new favorite thing!
DNF:
The Someday Garden
I started The Someday Garden this week, but I didn’t connect with it.
So I didn’t finish it.
I’m trying to get better about giving myself permission to do this. There are far too many books I want to read to spend my limited reading time forcing myself through something I’m not enjoying.
Sometimes a book just isn’t the right book at the right time.
Onward.
Started:
The Cat Who Played Post Office
My next book is The Cat Who Played Post Office.
And I have a little mystery of my own with this one. I have a feeling I may have read it before I started keeping track of all the books I read.
I don’t remember enough to say for sure, though. So we’ll see.
As I work my way through it, I’ll find out whether I’m experiencing it for the first time or accidentally wandering back into an old reading memory.
Either way, a cat solving mysteries is a pretty solid way to spend some reading time.
Listening:
Alamo House
I’m also listening to Alamo House, and I’m about 88% finished.
Which means I’m firmly in the “I need to know how this ends” portion of the audiobook. I’m hoping to finish it soon, so there may be a new audiobook joining the rotation next week.
Products I Love
This week’s picks are a little mix of knitting and everyday favorites.
I’ve been using a 16” US Size 6 and Size 4 on my sweater sleeves. Could not have finished sleeve 1 or moved on to sleeve 2 without them!
Counter All Bright Vitamin C Serum
I’m also continuing to love the Counter C Serum.
It’s one of those products that has earned a permanent spot in my routine because I actually enjoy using it. I use the code KRISTIEMCCAULEY when shopping Counter products.
If you’re looking for a new addition to your skincare routine, this is one of my favorites.
A good project bag is one of those knitting accessories you don’t appreciate until you have one you really love.
I like having a dedicated bag for whatever I’m currently knitting so my yarn, needles, pattern and little notions stay together.
It also makes it much easier to grab a project and go instead of spending five minutes hunting around the house for the missing needle.
Because the fastest way to lose knitting momentum is apparently to spend your knitting time looking for your knitting.
That’s It for This Week
The big knitting news is definitely Sleeve #1 is finished and Sleeve #2 is underway!
On the reading side, I finished The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers, abandoned The Someday Garden and started The Cat Who Played Post Office. I’m also getting very close to the end of Alamo House.
And now I need to find out whether I’ve actually read The Cat Who Played Post Office before.
The reading detective work begins.