Mid-November

Hello Gentle Readers. November evenings come early. Still there are days of bright blue skies and burnished oak leaves. One sunny warm day last week, I was driving west at midafternoon. Sunlight filtering through oak trees created a beautiful butterscotch effect. Prior to the weekend, the temps swung up to seventy plus degrees but have dropped after a Monday evening rain. There is a richness to all of the November days. 

Since I last posted about knitting, I've made progress with existing projects and cast on something new. I wet blocked the current sweater in progress to check the fit. I'm glad I added a few rows to the yoke because right now, this part of the sweater fits. In photos, the color of the yarn fades out, even with filter adjustments. 

In the meantime, Norah requested some mittens that "flip open at the top." Some of her friends are wearing them at school. I found a child-sized pattern called "Pop-Tops" on Ravelry and promptly started the project. Remember the pre-Ravelry days of searching for patterns in yarn shops and books. It would have taken me a long time to find a pattern and I might not have found one. Ravelry may not be perfect but it sure is useful.

I finished the hand of the first Green Thumb mitt and cast on the second one. When I knit mittens, I knit both hands and then go back and knit the thumbs one after another. This increases the odds they will be the same length.  

This week I read Port Anna a debut novel by Libby Buck. The plot about a young woman down on her luck returning to her family's old cottage in Maine is heartwarming, if a little predictable. It contains a touch of magical realism and lovely descriptions of the rugged Maine coast. What I enjoyed most was the physical presentation of the library hardcover copy. The front cover evokes the feel of an Andrew Wyeth print, the back is photograph of the Maine coast, and the spine of the cover is a soft gray-blue with a cameo of a lighthouse. The opening page of each section of text contains a gray silhouette of forest pines. Although I know nothing about fonts, the look of the chapter numbers was also striking. 

Kat, who usually hosts the Wednesday link-ups for these posts, and her family have experienced a great sadness and loss. My thoughts are with her as I write. 

And, I have another photo of a November leaf. This one came from some late turning trees on a parkway along my walk. Likely I will not post next week. Mindful that holidays can be difficult, I do wish you a good November and if you celebrate, a rich grateful day of Thanksgiving. 

 

Ravelry Links

Blue Cardigan

Blue Mitts

Pink Pop Tops

Stitching and Mending

Hello Gentle Readers. Today the sun shines and warms the day. The weekend was another story. As a rancher friend of my husband used to say, "the frost was on the pumpkin." The autumn colors peaked beautifully before the weekend cold snap. Now the ash trees are bare and the other trees are rapidly letting go of their leaves. Into November we go, being grateful for all the wool. 

Today I'm linking to Kat and the Unravelers. Over the weekend, I finished the stitch journal pages for October. I'm a little behind but no matter. The first page was a sunflower worked in the chain stitch and french knots. I wanted to represent some of the bright colors of autumn and I do love the wild sunflowers.   

The flowers remind me of my Grandfather Dewey who was a veteran of WWI. Several of his letters from France were addressed to his mother at Sunflower Farm, Cozad, Nebraska. I thought that was a name that someone in the family gave to the farm. Later a distant second cousin remarked that my Grandfather and his brothers had to chop wild sunflowers from fields with a hoe. It was hard tedious work for those boys. Likely, my Grandfather was showing his sense of humor, poking a little fun.

In the book American Wildflowers: A Literary Guide edited by Suan Barba and illustrated by Leanne Shapton, I read the short piece, "The Exile and the Holy Anomaly: Wild American Sunflowers by Gary Paul Nabhan. He wrote about the natural history of some of the 70 species of sunflowers. As is often the case in this country, Native Americans and scientists are joining efforts to preserve the diversity of these wildflowers. I know sunflowers don't grow on a vine but I wanted a dramatic flower with some green. I drew the shapes freehand so I'm chalking up the proportions to artistic license. And I use the word artistic loosely. I copied part of the poem, "Oh Giant Flowers," by Jill Bialosky (p.68 of the book mentioned earlier) under the flower.  

When Kate and Norah visited in early October, I traced Norah's seven year old hand. Of course, the page had to feature pink as that is her favorite color - for now. Stitching this page was a lovely way to preserve and remember the fun of those days. 

I also spent a good ten days mending the basket quilt, again. I used the eyelet stitch on small holes of worn fabric and feather stitch on fraying seams. I patched larger areas with fabrics and old linens. The white cotton fabric in this quilt has not held up well. I haven't had nearly so much damage in any other of my handmade quilts. Of course, I have no idea where I bought the fabric years ago. Generally I shopped at two local quilt shops but it could have come from a big box craft store. 

This week I read The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things by Nikki Giovanni. Although it is a small volume, the writing is filled with emotion and joy. Giovanni was articulate, witty, and able to see beauty in the world. At the same time, she didn't shy away from the political turmoil and inequalities of our time. There is a short prose piece, "Toni Morrison," that references and pays tribute to Morrison's novels. It is delightful and heartfelt. Ms. Giovanni died in December 2024 and this book was published in 2025. I have to think she helped with the editing and knew it would be published. I hope so. I happened onto this book at the library proving that libraries are indeed wonderful places. 

And so, this is more than enough from me. What will you savor these rich November days?

Hello November

Hello Gentle Readers. November begins with glorious autumn days and sunshine. These days, even with occasional gusty winds, are beautiful. This last week we experienced the first frost so the dragon wing begonia is now inside in front of a sunny basement window. The contents of other pots of summer flowers are in the compost. The hoses are drained and put away for the winter. My husband did the heavy lifting as my low back has kicked up its familiar ruckus. Aging happens but there are times when it isn't much fun. A competent PA prescribed physical therapy. I hope to get in soon.  

On a happier note, I am linking with Kat and the Unravelers today. I finished this autumn pair of socks. I rarely knit with brown colored yarns but I really enjoyed the chocolate brown in the mini skein. The color has me thinking about mocha or coffee colored yarn for a pair of socks. I made some progress on the blue cardigan. Next time I pick it up, I'll section the sleeves from the body. I plan to knit an inch or so and then block it and try it on for fit. 

I cast on a pair of mitts using stash yarn and a tried and true pattern. Earlier in the year, I tried another mitt pattern with this yarn that didn't work for me. This is the seventh time I've knit the Green Thumb pattern. With a leaf as the thumb gusset, the mitts make a nice gift.    

This week I read Ma and Me by Putsata Reang as it is the November selection for my local book group. In 1975, when Reang was eleven months old, her family left Cambodia because of the war and violence of the Khmer Rouge Communists. This memoir is both the story of Reang's mother, a woman born into a society with rigid expectations and few opportunities for women, as well as the author's journey to acceptance of herself as a gay woman. The bond between the two woman is heavy with love, cultural expectations, guilt, and duty. In my opinion, the book could have been better edited. At times the narrative felt repetitious. Still I learned a little about Khmer culture. Reang's story illustrates inherited trauma in the lives of real people, as well as effects of repression of sexual orientation. She is a courageous woman. This is not an easy read but I imagine it will make for a good discussion. 

Sunday I picked up leaves on my walk and left them on the kitchen counter. Why, I don't know. When they dry I toss them out into the yard. It's not like I can keep that beauty in physical form for very long. Soon this too will come to an end. But on I go, making, reading, and finding my way into November. May you too find your way on these rich November days.   

October's End

Hello Gentle Readers.  Oh October, you don't last long enough. Today the sky is gray but the maple trees are gorgeous. Monday I walked a little way out of my immediate neighborhood to look at the trees. I knew there were some ash trees with leaves turned to a burnished rust tinged with deep burgundy. Then as I rounded the corner I saw maple trees in brilliant shades of red and orange. I did have to keep moving in order to avoid being plunked on the head by falling acorns on one side of the street. The oaks here are loaded with acorns. Tuesday light rain fell on and off most of the day. Wednesday brings a cool windy day. And so it goes. 

Today I will link with Kat and the Unravelers to post about making and reading. Although, this week my reading consisted of reading a few chapters and then adding to a stack of books to be returned to the public library or passed on to a Little Free Library.

Over the weekend, I knit the Shadow Wrap Short Row Heel of this second sock without having to rip back. (Much better than the first sock.) I did refer to Denise's video in order to get started. I should knit another sock with this heel to cement the process in my memory. The heel fits me well so now I'm curious to see how it wears. 

I cast on the "don't ask" cardigan by Isabell Kraemer. According to the pattern page, "The yoke is shaped by using a modified version of the contiguous set-in sleeve method developed by Susie Myers." Ms. Kraemer's patterns are well written and easy to follow although this one requires paying attention. So far so good. I'll try it on soon. I decided to try this cardigan design as I find them trickier to knit and fit. I'm not looking for perfection but a decent fit and a passable buttonband would be nice. Wish me luck.  

Since my book choices are in a slump, I'll write about spinning. Currently I am working with this Rambouillet fiber. I spun the two nests on the right side of the photo, the gray and lightest mauve, into singles and then plied them together into 200 yards of fingering to sport weight yarn. 

The yarn is quite soft. This is not surprising since Rambouillet, sometimes known as French Merino, was bred in France as a cross between Spanish Merino and other breeds. For many years the Spanish monarchy protected and isolated the Merino sheep breed. Anyone taking a Merino sheep out of the country risked execution. Sometime in the middle of the eighteenth century, a few were exported to other European countries, including France. In 1840, Rambouillet sheep were brought to the US and subsequently bred to meet the needs of US sheep producers. The breed does well on the somewhat arid grasslands in the American west. I find it fascinating to learn a little more about the history of yarns. 

I hope this week finds you soft warm yarn in your hands and/or something else to savor.  Too soon these October days will be over. 

Ravelry Links

Autumn Socks

Blue Cardigan

It's a Wrap

Hello Gentle Readers. The cooler days of autumn have arrived. As I compose on Tuesday, the sky is blue and the wind is gusting. Leaves will let go and fall today. One of the things I love about this season is the sound of dry leaves ticking along the sidewalks and streets as I walk. That gentle sound is a peaceful backdrop to autumn. For a few minutes, I let go of the noise in my head and focus on that sound. During the week I'm less likely to be interrupted by leaf blowers and mowers. On the weekend all bets are off but it's also nice to greet and wave to neighbors. Perhaps this is the glue that holds us together. 

Wednesday, as this posts, I'll link with Kat and the Unravelers. I had no unraveling this week but I do have a lovely finish. Monday evening I wove in the ends on this wrap. I thoroughly enjoyed this project from start to finish. This yarn from Corriedale fiber has plenty of character including a few areas of thick and thin yarn and one skein with three knots. As I wound that skein into a ball, I remembered the knots. This was the first skein spun with trial and error as I adjusted the twist. There was a good amount of yarn so this wrap is generous. Handspun has more life, maybe bounce, than commercially spun yarns. If you don't mind imperfections, it has a lovely hand. I used lace and texture patterns from two other shawls and as well as one from the Up Down All Around Stitch Dictionary. The book includes charts and written instructions for knitting stitches both flat and in the round.  

     
Looking for a light read late one night, I picked up The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell. This 2016 novel is a literary romp through the work of three Brontë sisters as viewed through the eyes of a quirky funny young woman named Samantha. Samantha and her deceased father are distantly related to the Brontë family. The story begins as Samantha arrives at Oxford University after her father's death. A mystery of sorts begins as she attempts to sort out her inheritance from her eccentric father. This novel is pure fluff but the many discussions and references to the novels of the Brontë sisters are clever. If there are nights when you can't sleep and you are a Brontë fan you might enjoy it. 

Last week on an eighty degree day I went to the library. It had rained that morning. While I drove, the sky changed from sunshine and blue sky to gray clouds racing across the sky, and then back to fluffy white clouds that hung in the sky. Several large rose bushes bloomed profusely outside the library door. As I walked by I saw bees in blossoms dotted with drops of rain. I decided not to complain but enjoy the beauty of the day. Soon it will be winter and the bright color will be gone from the landscape. It was the attitude adjustment I needed at the moment. Here is to enjoying the last roses of summer. 

Ravelry Link

Handspun Wrap

Mid October - Still Here

Hello Gentle Readers. Another week gone by and we are all still here. Somedays I feel like that is an accomplishment. Earlier this morning rain fell. Moisture clinging to the leaves shimmers in sunlight. Monarchs are the story here. According to the local paper, there are more than usual. Currently they are out in the zinnias and marigolds. Even though we have had some sweater weather, they are still migrating and/or resting here. Once again, today's high is forecast for eighty degrees. Each time the temperature bounces back up, I wonder if this will be the last for the year. I did see a junco on the deck railing, a little harbinger of deeper fall and winter. Nature and life are full of paradox. 

This week I continued to work on the same two knitting projects but I'm making progress and enjoying the process. I finished the first sock of this pair and cast on the second. I didn't take a photo of the wrap although I am knitting the last section of a simple lace pattern and hope to finish within the next week. The changing stitch patterns keep the project interesting.

I recently finished two books. The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds. The novel takes place during the summer of 1920 in rural Provence. Three main characters, an eccentric cruel old man artist, a young male journalist who hopes to write about the artist for a magazine after washing out of an art academy, and the young woman who runs the artist's household narrate the story. This book would pair well with A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr, another book set in the same year.  Both speak to the power of art to change lives. This debut novel isn't perfectly written but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If Ms. Steeds continues to publish, I look forward to reading more of her work. 

I also read Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. Ms. Jeffers wrote an eloquent memoir about the crossroads in her life. Although her tone is sometimes conversational, she speaks to hard and loving truths. Her strong writing shines a light on the lives of Black women as well as her own. Along the way, she connects the dots between policy and legal structures with the many ramifications for human beings. Her research is well documented and meticulous. The structure that includes essay, poetry, letters, and journal entries from the end of her mother's life is creative and thoughtful. This memoir an excellent read.

Now that the trees have dried, I'm going out for a walk. I hope wherever you are, you find some small paradox that makes you smile in a good way.  We are still here.  

Photo by my daughter, Kate

Ravelry Link

Autumn Socks

Hello October

Hello Gentle Readers. Monday rain fell a good part of the day and the temperature dropped. Today feels like autumn. I pulled out a flannel shirt and a pair of wool socks. Whoo - hoo! 

This week, we had a wonderful few days visiting with our daughter Kate and granddaughter Norah. They flew in on Saturday. Sunday, we took advantage of the warm sunny day. At Norah's request, we played a round of miniature golf. Later in the afternoon we blew bubbles and drew a hopscotch grid. Kate and Norah found twenty two ways to hopscotch down the sidewalk. I tallied each successful play. Monday was an inside day baking cookies, playing Uno, and having lunch with my sister. We also found time to read her favorite picture books. 

Late on Tuesday, the house is quiet but the construction paper, markers, glue stick, and scissors are still at the end the table. There are jigsaw puzzle boxes under the coffee table and cookies on the counter. Norah spent exactly five minutes playing a video game late on Sunday. In the same spirit, I have fewer photos but many memories. 

On Wednesday, I'll link this post with Kat and the Unravelers. The last few weeks I knit on two projects, enjoying them both. The wrap from handspun Corriedale fiber is growing. Now the trick is to make the most of the remaining yarn. You might remember I started a sweater with this yarn. Some of that yarn looks worn. It didn't rip and reclaim well. If I really need it for length, I have it. I look forward to using this wrap while reading and knitting this winter. It's light but quite warm. 

Today I began the contrasting toe of this (first) sock. Last week I decided to try the Shadow Wrap Short Row Heel as explained by the Earthtones Girl. Her tutorials are very well done. However toggling between her video and listening to an engaging audiobook was not a good idea for me. I knit the heel three times to get it right. Good grief! Honestly, it isn't that hard. However the third heel looks nice. I think the traditional heel flap/gusset is a better fit for my narrow heel. I also wonder how the stockinette stitch heel will wear. 

I listened to the audio version of When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner. This historical fiction is the story of three World War II nurses who were stationed in the Philippines. Early in the war, the Japanese military drove out the American forces. Nurses, civilians, and some military personnel became prisoners of war in Japanese camps. Three different nurses tell the story of their friendship and survival forged under horrible conditions. Man's inhumanity to man is hard to fathom. The element of romance in each of their lives was my least favorite part of the book but overall the novel was a compelling story. Perhaps in part because my Mom trained as a nurse from 1944- 1947 in the U.S. Cadet Nursing program. Had the war not ended when it did, she would have likely worked in a military hospital. There is another earlier work of nonfiction, We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese by Elizabeth Norman that I may read if the library has a copy. 

Here in southeast Nebraska, cool autumn weather has finally arrived. If you are in the northern hemisphere, may it come your way soon. 

What are you working on this week?