~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
I’ve been working on my second try February Lady sweater this week. Morale is high as I divided for the sleeves, successfully passing the spot where I had to stop last time around. My numbers are good. I came up with the numbers that I wanted to have when the time came to divide for the sleeves, and worked backwards to come up with my cast on number before restarting. I want to be able to work on this even when people are talking to me (which is most of the time) so I have once again added stitch markers throughout the lace portion. This is the first time I have ever done that while knitting a lacy pattern, and it is making this a more relaxed project, which I like.
I am reading Sue Hubbell’s A Book of Bees. A reader recommended it as her favorite beekeeping book, and I completely understand why. I love Sue’s style. A Book of Bees is written like a novel; a highly informative one. The fact that you learn about beekeeping along the way is just a happy result. I feel like I am learning more from this book than I have from the other “how to” type beekeeping books I have been reading lately. It is doing a great job of helping me put together all the information I’ve been reading and demonstrating how it plays out during a beekeeper’s year. With excitement and a healthy dose of nerves (on my part,) we’re picking up our packages of bees today!
nervous anticipation for the bees, eh?
your sweater looks lovely! And bees!! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures with those!!! Happy knitting!!!
First time I am yarning along with everyone! Love the color of your Feb. Lady and can’t wait to hear more about your bee adventure!
No pics of the baby blanket I am knitting (my colleague is pg with her first!) but wanted to share the story my son and I are reading together.
I always struggle with talking and crocheting at the same time. Maybe I just need to use stitch markers more often. Looking forward to seeing the bees, as well as more of the cute little chicks!
Great idea for keeping track of your lace pattern! Also, I can’t wait to hear of your bee adventures!
Come say hi if you so please! http://08melissab.blogspot.com/2012/03/yarn-along_28.html
I know I’ve said it before, but the color of that green is wonderful. Glad that you’re over the hump. I’m sure you’ll have it done before next week. The bees sound so interesting – scary. So how long does it take for the bees to fill a box for honey?
Congrats on the bees! Although I doubt I’ll ever keep them, I admire anyone who does.
Using those stitch markers is probably a huge help to you while knitting that lace; I know how it is to try and knit lace with little ones around!
you are our bee inspirations! also i have my husband hooked on your blog. we love your garden!
thanks!
Very smart to mark your lace. I think that’s why it is taking so long for me to knit the lace wimple — I can work on it so little. The funny thing is I can work on it while watching a film, but never while someone is talking to me. Which goes to show how passive television is.
So glad the sweater is working out this time around. Phew! And best of luck on your bee venture…I’m jealous!
Excited to see your finished sweater!! And good luck with the bees! Homemade Honey…oh what a treat!
So glad the second time around is going better on February Lady!!
Have you read Sweetness and Light: the mysterious history of the honeybee? by Hattie Ellis
More history (natural and human)/biology/literature, but definitely a worthwhile read for a bee lover!!
Thank you for the book recommendation, sound good.
And thank you for the Yarn Along.
I can’t wait to see your finished sweater and the book sounds like something that I would love too. Have a good day! I’m off to the gym, then home to read, knit by the fire and play with my children (it’s spring break and we’re taking the week off from homeschool).
This is my first time participating in the Yarn Along and I’m excited even if I AM a little um….embarrassed by the very silly thing (I blame my husband!) that I am reading. It doesn’t match what I’m knitting at all!
I might have to request the book that you are reading from my library; it looks more like the type of book I normally read. Love that green too–it’s so rich.
Good luck with the bees! I’m sorta a bee fan. If I lived in a big open space, it might be something I’d consider.
Congrats on your sweater math!
I’ve had such difficulty with lace patterns and your method to put stitch markers along the sections is brilliant! I’m going to try that next time.
Love your sweater color. It is coming along great!
Your knitting is, as always, inspiring!! Love that forest-y green and looking forward to seeing it finished! One day I’ll be a ‘proper’ knitter too!!
Your sweater looks great! That yarn looks like it will be so cozy to wrap up in.
Good luck with the bees! I love those types of books. The sweater is looking great so far – I love your yarn choice. I tend to use a lot of stitch markers, too and it definitely allows you to divide your focus!
We are both knitting in greens this week — must be spring! I hope that the second go-round on the sweater goes well. The stitch markers will help — they are a boon to knitters everywhere, especially those who may be knitting while also trying to carry on a conversation, help children with their projects, tend gardens, take care of animals, etc.
We’re hoping to get bees one day, so I look forward to learning more from your blog. Thanks for creating such a warm and welcoming space for a mid-week knit-and-read community!
I try to always use stitch markers when knitting lace. I get too distracted on my own thoughts and I mess things up, so having the markers helps a lot in constantly checking the number of stitches!
good luck with your bees, I’m counting of many stories of beekeeping through this year!
that beekeeping book looks so lovely!!! i think i would like it too, even though it’ll be quite a while before i can have my own bees…
i’m so sorry my link shows up twice in the linky list… i asked my sister to link up for me and then did it myself without checking first.. i should get better organized/more sleep. my apologies!!
happy yarn along day everybody!!
Your sweater is looking lovely. Have fun with your bees, my Grandma was a bee keeper and I have very fond memories of enjoying honey in the comb.
Good luck with the bees – I think you’re very brave as I am so so scard of anything flying around *lol*
I love the colour of that sweater and I also really like your new banner!!
Love
Kimmy
Ginny, the sweater is going to be lovely! You really knit so beautifully. I am holding off on new projects myself until I can find the perfect one (and I really need to focus on sewing for a few weeks).
I share the envy of many on your starting with bees. Since I did not take the beekeeping class in Feb, I have been reading about bees, and I have a documentary from Netflix coming today. I am filled with longing…[insert heavy, heart-broken sigh here]. I will be loving bees vicariously through you!
Hip hip hooray for picking up your own little black rain cloud today!
:)Lisa
Good luck with the bees!
I’m loving the stitch definition you are getting with that yarn. Lovely lace!
Oh, markers while knitting lace makes life so much easier. You can check if you’ve made an error in a pattern repeat without counting your stitches back, and it helps you to see the construction, especially when you add shaping better. The only thing is to be careful while using lifelines – either use removable markers or thread the yarn around them not through them (ask me how I know, sigh).
Bees and knitting-sounds absolutely divine. I still can’t believe you walked through a cloud of bees!
I am equally awed by your ability to knit lace while people are talking to you. People talk to me all the time here too, but I have yet to be brave enough to try to knit something complicated while they do. 😉
I’m picking up my new packages at Jerry’s today, too. Maybe I’ll see you there!
That lace pattern really pops in the green!
It looks like your FLS will be so beautiful… with a colour like that green, it will be perfect for spring!
I’m interested to hear how your adventures in bee keeping go. I’m going to keep that book in mind as we are hoping to have bees of our own next year.
I love the color of your yarn. Thank you for hosting this every week!
Oh good, it gets so much easier re-knitting something once you’ve passed the frogging spot! Looking lovely..
Hey Ginny, glad your cardi’s working out so well! Sounds like you came up with a clever way of working out your numbers : ) Look forward to seeing it on you, will be beautiful. Very exciting about your bees, the kids will be enthralled! x M
your green is looking splendid, love the little yellow flecks.
i use markers with lacework and cablework as dividers, and it makes it sooo much easier for me to stop mid row, i can pick it back up and know i’m just 4 stitches before the next flower or whatever.
x
Still loving that green!
Oooh your project looks beautiful already – Lovely colour and very pretty lace design.
Can’t wait for you to show more.
Enjoy the book, always fun learning about new things. Happy Bee journey.
I love that yarn, and I like the idea of using stitch markers to divide up the lace pattern. I’ll have to try that next time…
That book sounds amazing as well. I want to keep bees, when we ever get our own place, and I am adding that to my list of beekeeping books to read. xo
There is nothing wrong with using stitch markers to keep the lace straight. But it really will get easier as you wrap your mind around it. And it looks great so far!
Gorgeous green yarn! Stitch markers always make it easier for me to knit and talk at the same time. Happy bee keeping days are ahead 🙂
Oh, I am working on some Baby Fan mitts…it’s the simplest lace pattern but I’ll tell you, I had to rip that thing back so many times…at one point, I threw the needles and yarn across the kitchen when I counted and found I was short a stitch AGAIN!! But I’ve finished the first one so I guess I’m on my way. I love lacework and may have to start seeking it out in sweaters etc. Your sweater looks great!
How exciting Ginny to bring bees home! I am looking forward to following along as learn all about them. How many hives are you picking up?
Your sweater is turning out lovely!
Love that colour green!