Knitting: I'm knitting swatches for my next sweater: the Miette cardigan. I'm joining in with Shannon's Summer Sweater Knit Along, which is a fun way to get a sweater finished before cooler weather gets here. I made my first sweater during her knit along last year, so I'm really excited to be participating again. I've also recently finished a cowl for myself and a couple of items for the craft fair this fall (hopefully I'll have pictures of those to post soon).
Spinning: This really colorful Falkland fiber from Spun Right Round. It's slow going because I'm practicing spinning fine for socks. I ordered some wool and nylon blend fiber for spinning socks, but I'm spinning this first to make sure I can spin thin enough for 3 ply fingering weight. At first it took a lot of concentration, but it's going slightly faster now.
Also, I've been spending a lot of time over the past week working on a pound of raw Cheviot fleece. I washed it all on Tuesday, and a couple of days later I started picking through it and hand carding it. This is what I'll be spinning at the craft fair.
Reading: The fourth Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. At this rate I'm not going to complete my summer reading list, but at least I'm getting the chance to reread one of my favorite series. :)
Watching: Lark Rise to Candleford. I know I've said it before (here and here, for example), but I love this show so much. It's so endearing and I don't know...comforting somehow? I love BBC anyway, but this is BBC at its absolute best. It's a shame that the show doesn't get the attention that other period dramas do. (This past week I ordered the book that the series is based on, or rather, a bind-up of the three books, and I can't wait to read it.)
{And I don't think I've said this before, but I've been watching through Psych on Netflix. I'm about halfway through season 6, and I love it. I don't love it as much as Monk, but it does sort of fill that Monk-ish void. Shawn and Gus are hilarious and their friendship is great. Gus' terrified scream never fails to make me laugh.}
Listening to: The Secret Sisters' album Put Your Needle Down. It is so, so good. (Though I don't pretend it will be for everyone. The lyrics tell stories that are slightly depressing and haunting at times. I've read it described as Southern gothic, and that's pretty accurate.) Those girls' voices are incredible. Personally I think this one is even better than their first CD, which is saying a lot. Also, the Avett Brothers. Always the Avett Brothers. I've been listening to my favorite album of theirs, Emotionalism, but I've also remembered just how good The Carpenter is.
The Goblet of Fire is my favorite book overall . . . I think, and my favorite movie . . . I think. My youngest sister is reading this one, and we girls just got Dad hooked on the series (he read all the books and then bought all the movies . . . one of my sisters was like, "what should we get him hooked on next").
ReplyDeleteI have watched Psych but not for a while. The Shawn and Gus friendship is hilarious and the spoiled Shawn with his dad relationship is funny, particularly later on in the series. Oh, and just Shawn and driving everyone nuts, especially Lassiter.
The Goblet of Fire was definitely my favorite when I was younger...I've probably read it more times than any of the other HP books! :)
DeleteYes, I like Shawn's relationship with his dad, too. And Lassiter is a great character. Such a jerk, but somehow still likable. Or maybe I don't like him as much as I feel sorry for him?
That fiber is so gorgeous and vivid! It seems like spinning would be equal parts relaxing and tension-inducing. :) I would love to learn how to spin someday - it's such a neat old-time skill and the ultimate do-it-yourself way to complete a crochet or knitting project. You impress me.
ReplyDeleteMy nice clip through the Harry Potter series was halted by a crazy busy work schedule this summer. Usually I'm able to fit in at least a little reading time no matter what's going on, but lately that's been physically impossible – apparently sleep IS more necessary than books. ;) It looks like things are starting to slow down a bit, so I'm hoping to read The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows before the end of August. I need to know how it all gets wrapped up!
I still haven't seen the 4th season of Lark Rise. My younger sister finished it ages ago, but for some reason I haven't gotten back around to it. Lark Rise sounds like a lovely way to usher in fall evenings... I think I'll do that. :)
I'm glad that you're enjoying Psych! Shawn and Gus crack me up. :) Unfortunately, the beginning of the 7th season (which is all I've seen up to this point), is pretty dissapointing. I've heard that the second half gets better, but so far it's just felt "off" and not nearly as funny as usual.
Spinning is so much fun! And yes, it can be relaxing or slightly stressful, depending on if you're in your spinning "comfort zone" or not. :) You should definitely give it a try if you ever get the chance.
DeleteI've missed seeing you around in the comments (and following your Harry Potter progress), but I remembered what you said in a comment about being really busy with work during the summer. :) I hope you'll love the conclusion of the series- I know I do!
From what I remember, the fourth season of Lark Rise is my least favorite. But...the ending was everything I wanted, so it's worth it. :) Lark Rise does have a fall feeling to me, too, for some reason.
Hopefully the second half of the seventh season will be better! Have you seen Psych: The Musical yet? I'm trying to decide whether to wait until after I finish the show to see it or to slip it in now. :)
Oh, I'll definitely try it “someday”, I just need to find someone with the right equipment who is willing to let me take it for a spin (so to speak). :)
DeleteI've really missed commenting! I was only able to catch up on reading posts much later than they were published, so it wasn't quite the same.
Awww, good. I just love it when shows have a nice, satisfactory ending. I don't usually look for any type of spoilers (although if they're sprung on me, it doesn't ruin anything like I know it does for other people) but I do like to know ahead of time if it has a “good” conclusion. If not, I need to steel myself for disappointment.
I know! It would really be a shame for seasons 7 and 8 to be a drastic change in quality from the funny stuff we're used to. From what I've heard though, the last season is good (albeit short) and the last episode wraps it up really well. I'll have to see for myself... :) I was able to see Psych: The Musical. My little sister was visiting me while I was dog/house-sitting and we stumbled on it while scrolling through the hundreds of channels on TV. It was very fortuitous timing. :) Even though that episode comes chronologically at the end of season 7, we watched it after only completing seasons 1-6 and it still made sense. As far as you've gotten, it'll basically be a standalone episode. Since you're a musical fan I'll be curious to see how much you like it. :)
I am watching Lark Rise to Candleford. I am almost through the third season. I knit while watching. Beautiful sweater pattern! Happy knitting, reading and watching! :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a wonderful show? I knit while watching it, too...it's the perfect cozy combination. :)
DeleteAw, 'Lark Rise' is darling! Well put in saying it's a comforting show; that is truth personified for these stories. I've watch nearly the entire first season of Psych and it is cute. Much more "slapstick" in comparison to the normal shows I have watched, but still... really fun! Happy everything on your "currently"... :)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Psych just gets better! I don't remember loving it during that first season...I kept comparing it to Monk and it just took a while to grow on me. :)
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