I'm joining in with Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along!
I usually have two books on the go: one non-fiction, for picking up here and there through the day, and one fiction for those moments before I pass out at night. "Root Cellaring" is a great guide to get you started on the road to keeping that homegrown produce through the winter. "Bride of New France" is a historical fiction, drawing on the stories of young women from France who were shipped to Canada in the 1600s to marry soldiers and populate the new colony. These women were often orphans, prostitutes, and other unwanted members of French society, and had no idea of the hardships they'd have to endure to gain a foothold in early Canada. The protagonist, Laure, is a bit more courageous and unconventional than her fellow travellers; at this point, they're still on the ship and have just started spotting the icebergs near "Terre Neuve" (Newfoundland). I'm excited to find out how she fares in the land of "snow, savages, and wild beasts".
Now it's time for me to get ready for work! Have a wonderful day, knitting, reading, working...whatever your day holds (hopefully a bit of everything)!
Ooh, Root Cellaring looks like a useful book. Nice colors for those socks!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I forget the colourway...labels came off long ago and I wish I was organised enough to store them away somewhere but imagine my cat ate them! Noro Kureyon is all I know!
DeleteThe socks look lovely, well worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteBoth books sound very interesting; despite our best efforts some of our stored vegetables get 'spoilt', I definitely could use some tips.
I'll keep y'all posted about what I learn!
DeleteMrs. Knitty Gritty, those socks are positively DREAMY! I love, love, love that yarn! Do NOT wear slippers, or shoes, or boots on your feet when you wear those socks. Maybe you should sew leather soles on the bottoms ;-) Seriously, they are FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid if I don't wear slippers etc. I'll wear them through in a week...I finished them after work and now I don't think I'll ever take them off!
DeleteSuch lovely colours on those socks! I look forward to the day in the loooong way off future when I won't be completely daunted by the thought of knitting socks. The novel looks interesting. My maternal grandmother is French-Canadian and her maiden name was Desrochers, so I feel connected somehow to this book already.
ReplyDeleteErin, I will teach you when you want to learn. Take a deep breath and dive right in...it's not as scary as you might think!
DeleteGorgeous socks!
ReplyDeleteBride of New France sounds really interesting - I bet my library will have it. It sounds like a grown up version of the book I read in school in Grade 7, The King's Daughters (Les Filles du Roy) - did you read that one too?
I am very intrigued by your book suggestion of Bride to France as I love historical fiction! You already have ME wondering how she will fare in Newfoundland! Have you ever read "Endurance" by Ernest Shackleton? It is actually non-fiction, but is one of the most amazing tales of adventure and human courage that I have EVER read! I think you would love it. I have read it three times and used it as my book club "pick" when it was my turn to suggest a book. Can you post a reply regarding exactly what magic loop needle you use and where to order it? I want to knit some socks but know that I must knit two at a time or I will NEVER go back and knit that second one! THanks!
ReplyDeleteThe magic loop is a technique done with a long circular needle. I'm sure you can find a million tutorials on youtube...it's quite clever; the toe-up sock technique is amazing, and knitting two at a time means you don't finish one then give up on the second! :) Perfect for people like me who change directions so often! I use Addi Turbos; the needle for this sock was 2.25 mm, 40 inches long.
DeleteThanks ~ I am going to investigate this...I havn't heard of the toe-up sock technique. I took a class on sock making but it was from the top down and sadly I only knit one and did not go back to do the other...now I don't even remember how as it was so long ago!
DeleteThe socks look great, and so close to being finished!
ReplyDeleteI like a combo of books too - you're right - non-fiction during the day and fiction at night (mainly). Hope your long-awaited socks get finished. Exciting time! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous socks, it is great you finished them. Excellent book suggestions too. I read one similar to Bride of New France except they were going to the colony in Louisiana. Very good.
ReplyDeleteI read one called "A Bride Most Begrudging"...fabulous read; I've read it several times and loaned it out to friends and family.
Deletebeautiful socks - thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteYay, the socks are done!!! So how do they feel on your feet? I can only imagine.
ReplyDeleteDivine. I need to knit six more pairs so these ones don't wear out too fast!
DeleteI have sock-envy! Simply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteoh exciting, to be almost done! enjoy, they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo close to being done! I'm obsessed with hand knit socks too ;) I made the mistake of knitting them for my boyfriend and my brother, and now they want lots of socks, which takes up time I could be making them for myself!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the yarn along! The socks are lovely. I really must learn the knit two at a time technique as I also seem to be addicted to handknit socks these days...but really, in February, its hard not to be!
ReplyDeleteThe socks are beautiful, the colors blending so nicely. The root cellaring book will surely make it to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteThe books sounds fascinating. I like reading historical fiction.
ReplyDeletei LOVE your socks! they would look awesome sticking out of the top of a pair of boots/booties! And about root cellar-ing....yeah i need to get that up and running by the end of this summer...
ReplyDelete:)
jen
Oh, I just finished a pair of socks this week - isn't a grand feeling to be nearing the end?
ReplyDelete