Mar 21, 2012

Yarn Along #6

I'm joining Ginny's yarn along this week

I'm a huge fiction reader. I love reading all types from classics to hot off the press novels. One of the difficulties of being a book-obsessed family is that we have thousands and thousands of books in our home.  So many, in fact, that we've run out of bookshelf space and piles are beginning to crop up in every room (and for a neat freak like me, that is not good).

In 2011, I challenged myself to read the top 50 novels as chosen by the NYTimes -- I didn't quite make it to all 50, but I was this close. That meant that I didn't read a stick of non-fiction and, in many ways, I felt the loss, the gap. In 2012, I'm not doing that challenge (and, yes, it's kind of a relief) so I'm reading whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like, and right now, I've got the non-fiction bug. On my bedside table is an ever-growing pile of New Yorker magazines and this week I finally got to the mid-February issue which I've been reading cover-to-cover.  Sometimes, one issue will have nothing I'm interested in reading and then the next issue will be a treasure trove. 


One article about a plagiarist was fascinating but the most gripping piece that I read was the one about face transplants and the bio-medical-ethical concerns that accompany any type of transplant. I could never be a surgeon (hats off to any of you who are studying to be doctors and I know that several of you knitters are), but I am mesmerized by the science of life. One thing that really struck me was what the surgeons who were interviewed read themselves. One was inspired by Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff; another reads biographies about his hero Edmund Hillary who climbed Mount Everest. They recognize that those who inspire them are individuals who see limitless possibilities. I know, you're probably feeling squeamish right now and wondering "what is Evelyn talking about?" but seriously, this essay is a must-read.




So, what's on my needles this week? Remember when I bought this yarn and wasn't sure if it was right for my taste? As I was searching patterns for leg warmers, I came across this snazzy one by Jane Richmond and knew that my maxima would be perfect.  I'm already loving how it's knitting up, and the pinks and oranges are keeping my needles happy, too.

20 comments:

  1. If you want to read an amazing non-fiction biography, try Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, it is such an amazing story. And wow, that yarn looks yummy! This is going to be a super fun knit!

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  2. That sounds like a fascinating article :)

    I've queued that legwarmer pattern, thanks, I've been looking for the right one for ages ;)

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  3. Interesting how they were inspired by other high achieves, isn't it? I really like the Jane Richmond patterns since they fit my noggin well.

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  4. Such pretty yarn! I love pink and orange together - reminds me of lantana and zinnias!

    I do a similar thing with my Smithsonian magazines: if I know I've got travel coming up, I "save" them for a few months prior and then take them all on my trip with me. I usually read them cover to cover, so it makes great reading for the airplane!

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  5. You're always casting on new things! Speedy knitter, you. AND you read so much - where do you find the time!?!

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  6. I wish I had the reading bug, but school just doesn't let me sometimes. Those leg warmers are going to be very pretty, warm and comfy when they're done, I just know it!

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  7. I did the same thing last year! Not following an actual list, though. I just wanted to read as many books as possible and it ended up fiction was easier to speed through. At the end of the year I totally felt the gap. To be honest, I felt kind of dumb. So I re-worded my goal to include a variety of titles instead of just "read a lot!!" I mean, since my son is 2 and requires pretty much all the time I have with his craziness, my reading time should be spent on something both engaging AND educational.
    I don't know why I never thought to include magazines like the New Yorker. I swear at the magazine rack I only look at the knitting sections. (There are OTHER types of magazines!???)

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  8. I love that yarn already on your needles!

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  9. That yarn looks so summery, it's hard to imagine it being cold-weather wear like leg warmers! I bet they'll be adorable though.

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  10. I love how that yarn is knitting up,it will indeed become some fantastic legwarmers.

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  11. it reminds me of sherbert in the colours- it will make great legwarmers!

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  12. Those legwarmers will be so fun and cute this spring and summer!

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  13. These will surely make happy legs too! What a gorgeous blend!

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  14. Love the colorway of the yarn and your right, legwarmers are the perfect pattern choice!

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  15. What a great pattern! Your yarn is so cheerful and looks so soft! What a delight it must be to knit. I have never seen the rib stitch look so defined-it looks great! I can't wait tio see the finished legwarmers!

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  16. oh my that is a lot of fiction, what a wonderful challenge. have fun knitting with those happy colors!

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  17. Perfect pattern choice for your yarn!

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  18. The New Yorker usually has really fascinating essays, so I can totally believe you about the article being fascinating!

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