Knitting to Audio Books

Ok, so I rarely get to watch tv. Between the necessary censorship of having a 3yo and an 8yo, the days are pretty much impossible. Nights aren't much better. I usually have no chance of winning against Brian and either his tv shows or a night playing his PS3. Sometimes they are tv shows I want to watch too, Law and Order SVU, Bones, Criminal Minds......etc, but some nights he does marathon Two and a Half Men, and although an episode here and there is entertaining, two and a half HOURS + is not really my cuppa tea.

So I have learned to love the Podcast. I have a huge list of Podcasts I listen to, Knitmore Girls, Sticks and String, KIPing it Real, Stitch It, It's A Purl Man, and many more. Obviously knitting is not always enough, I need to hear about it from others too! But there are days (or nights) when I want something a bit different, and so I have discovered audio books. I have mostly gotten hold of many of my favourite books from my fave authors and have spent my time reliving the stories I enjoyed. I will admit, I have a weakness for crime, mystery, psychological thriller novels that don't take much brain power but are thoroughly entertaining. Kathy Reichs, Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson, Lisa Gardner, Linda Fairstein, Iris Johansen, Val McDermid, Michael Connelly, Tami Hoag and Patricia Cornwell. I also love Stephen King and Dean Koontz, when I'm after something a little bizarre.

But what I love the most is the way that I can enjoy books as audio books, and not go insane from children's programming or video games. I can still knit, exercise, cook and clean and be nicely entertained. I love you dear iPod......how did I ever live without you?

Til next time........Danielle xoxox

What's next?

I have almost finished the cardigan, sewing it up and then knitting the neck, then i'm done. Which is great because I'm sick of hot pink for the moment. I'm excited about making more progress on my dad's sweater, getting through the ribbing so it can be a reading project. I also plan to start my first pair of socks, for when I'm watching tv with my man in bed. Something that requires some focus, but allows me to still watch the movie. Over the years I have bought dozens of multi-colored acrylic yarns, every time I saw a color combination I liked, I bought it. I had no idea what I would use it for though.

But my interest in socks has been peaked with all the sock crazy knitters out there. I have finally found a pattern for anklet socks, as I don't wear long socks, never have. So although the pattern requires circular needles, I think I'm going to use DPN's. I actually like using them for small circumference items.

I am reading "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs and absolutely loving it. I really enjoy the way knitting has been intwined with a fascinating story about a group of women and the difficulties and challenges they all have in their very different, yet the same lives. I love the idea of a knitting club and being a part of a group that is so welcoming of everyone regardless of their skill, background or age. It's very refreshing. Although there are similar SnB groups around me, As I have 2 kids and no car, it's very difficult to attend a meeting. Which I find so sad. I really want to go! It gets lonely knitting alone, although with my iPod, movies and books, I get by!

Til next time..........Danielle

All About Yesterday

I realised this morning that each blog is all about yesterday. I never have time on the day to write, I knit til i'm to tired to do another row.....then I go to sleep. So it's always the next morning that I blog about the day before. Oh well, it's all good I suppose.Yesterday was productive again once my son had his nap.

I knit and read Hide by Lisa Gardner and had a lovely break. Managed to completely finish the body of the cardigan and I measured it against my daughter because it looked like it might be too small. But thank goodness it looks like a perfect fit. I wasn't sure if i've got enough contrast yarn, so this morning i went and bought another ball and the buttons for the cardigan. So Cute! I found purple heart shaped buttons with little polka dots on them, ideal for a 7 year old I think.Haven't had a chance to work on dad's sweater yet, but I will get there. So close to finishing the cardigan that i can't stop! I guess that where I am a project knitter, I can't just put one project aside to start another. i'm too excited to see what the one i'm working on will look like when completed, if it fits and then I can take a photo! It definately becomes an obsession. Especially with projects I designed or amended myself, I get really anxious to see the end.

My two afghans for my kids were pattern free, just spontaneous and random yarn combinations. And this cardigan design was originally a varigated yarn. I didn't like it, too busy, so I chose a hot pink and a pale purple and did set stripes......and it's gorgeous!Hoping to knit today, if i ever finish up with housework and cooking. Stupid chores.....they just interfere with knitting time!Til next time, Danielle