Skein Queen Club & Follow Your Arrow 2

 

  

I'm not normally a fan of pink, but when this little bundle appeared on my doorstep I couldn't help but fall in love with it.  

As ever, Skein Queens book club provides one skein of variegated & one skein of semi-solid.  This time, they were based on Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and named Pink Martini (the caked one) & Feminine Charms (the semi-solid skein). The base is exquisite twist; 80% merino, 10% cashmere & 10% nylon. 

Much like everyone else, I'm aiming to reduce the amount of yarn I buy this year, because my stash really is becoming ridiculous.  However, I have decided to keep up the clubs I'm a member of, because I simply can't do without these beautiful little surprises appearing through my door.  Though, if being honest with myself, more single skeins are the last things I need!

In an attempt to actually start knitting with the lovely yarn Skein Queen has been posting to me these past three months, I decided to cake up her most recent club in order to join a KAL - Ysoldas Follow Your Arrow 2. 

Following the great success of Arrows original last year, Ysolda has cooked up another multi-optional shawl for us to get excited about.  As with last year, some knitters are managing to knit several of these in order to try as many of the options as possible, but I think I'll stick to one!   It appears that this year the shawl will involve lots of texture, and I'm intrigued to see how all the different combinations will turn out. 

Last year, my arrows was knitted with Manos.  It is beautiful - and definitely not worn enough. 

I've said it before, and I'll mention it again - KALs are wonderful.  They bring knitters together in a way that feels so sociable and encourages us to be part of something.  For some, they provide motivation, others reassurance.  Some simply enjoy browsing through the many different ways knitters can form one item, the yarn and techniques they have used to do so.  Those tiny adjustments, tweaks and personal additions which make each and every garment unique whilst always keeping in touch with the original.  

In a small way, it makes me happy to see so many people come together with one simple goal.

There's also a small situation arising, because I have just this minute spotted another yarn club which looks exciting.  Did you know (because I didn't), that Ysolda is starting a Yarn/Shawl club this year?  I have to stop looking at it before more clubs fall into my letterbox.  Must.  Stop.  No.  Looking. 

Do you take part in any yarn clubs or KALs?  Why do you love those ones in particular?

The Floating Bookshop; Libreria Acqua Alta

Being an intrepid explorer (and wholly unprepared, as ever), I entered Venice without a map or any clear idea of where I was or wanted to go.  It was in this circular, doubling-up and shadow following manner that we ended up in this unusual bookshop.

I have to admit, following the initial feast on the eyes of piles upon piles of books, the smell was the second thing to reach me.

This incredible little shop was filled from floor to ceiling with books of all ages and genres, all packed into boats, bathtubs, buckets, and anything else the owner thinks might be waterproof in an emergency.  Books were in all languages, piled knee deep on every surface.  Not for those allergic to cats, which appeared to be sleeping in and among the boats and books.  The owner was casually feeding one strips of meat from between stacks of Dantes Divine Comedy.  

Acqua Alta is an exceptionally high tide.  Some venetians put flood plates in place, others leave work early and don welly-boots.  This bookshop owner decided instead to 'float his stock'.  (haha, see what I did there?)

Judging my the mouldy aroma, this gentlemans waterproofing was hardly effective, but it was a sight to behold!

Just wanted to draw your attention to the 'Fire Exit', which appears to instruct us to jump and swim.

Just in case you wanted to visit, this little bookshop can be found at Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa (Campiello Del Tintor) | 5176 - Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy.

Doomsday Knits & 'The Littlest Giant Geek'

AAaaaah t'is here.  What an awesome book.  Whilst waiting on it to arrive, I've been getting carried away again (much like arrow necklaces for arrow shawls sort of carried away), and playing Apocalypse themed games with popcorn and beer.  Mmm.   Largely due to this, and my excitement that we were about to watch a film involving humans living in space, my partner reminded me yesterday that I was 'the littlest giant geek'.  I shall wear that badge with pride.

This week I've to compile a mini-CV and fill out the online portfolio required to apply for the second year post of my job - it's a little scary!  There are at the same time too many and not enough choices.  What do I want to do??  I have no idea.  Maybe I should just close my eyes and throw little sticky balls at the list.  There are two of the jobs I really would like, but then there's the perpetual dilemma of 'getting your hopes up'.

That all sounds a little pessimistic really doesn't it!  Of course I'll apply for the ones I'd love.  I'll just give it a little while before I grow attached.  Distract myself with knitting, and books which combine post apocalyptic earth geekery with the best hobby ever* (*in my humble opinion).

In case you'd like to join me in the land of tiny giant geeks, the book is 'Doomsday Knits: Projects for the Apocalypse and After', and can be found here on Ravelry.

The yarn?  What is the yarn, you ask? Is some Yummy Malabrigo.  Is squishy.  I squish it.

Too many books, not enough time!

You know those nights when you toss and turn and you just KNOW sleeping ain't gonna happen?

Amazing how many books you can get through!!

I read three books this week, and they were all, quite frankly, rather awesome.  I shall tell you about them.

- this one was such a random book!  Crazy little concept and it worked well.  Magicians, ghosts and very old lore all mixed in with modern policing.  Funstuff.

- this was naughty!!  My partner laughed at me for being shocked by this and asked what I expected with a title like that.  Maybe.  But still!  

I went to have my hair dyed and cut on Tuesday morning (don't you just love getting your hair washed at the hairdressers?? Best. head massage. ever.) and quite frankly got rather embarassed in case the hairdresser thought badly of me.

- I put off reading this book because of all the hype.  Thought it would be childish and rather twilight-esque.  

T'was actually rather good!  Bit of a page turner!  The size of the book is deceptive as the writing, spacing and margins are huge, it's really quite small.  

As ever, they did have to throw some sort of love-triangle theme in there.  I do want to read the sequel but am apprehensive in case the sequel is all based on the triangle.  hmm.

Just thought I'd share :)