Books, books, knitting July 16, 2007
It’s been feeling a bit like Christmas around here. Especially Saturday and today. Saturday I got a pile of books that I ordered 
from this seller on Half.com. Since it was one seller, the shipping was relatively reasonable for three books, and the seller shipped them in a nice, well-fitting box.
What did I get?
Why three knitting books I’ve wanted for a while: Marianne Kinzel’s First Book of Modern Lace Knitting and Second Book of Modern Lace Knitting, and Maggie Righetti’s Sweater Design in Plain English. I’ve wanted the lace books for quite a while now. The designs are few, but inspiring. Some of the motifs can be adapted for other shapes, like shawls. Ideas are flowing… The sweater design book I’ve wanted for ages. Pretty much since I got Righetti’s Knitting in Plain English years ago. Don’t know why I didn’t buy it ages ago, but there you go. I have it now. Though I’ve listed it as a current read in my sidebar, it isn’t. Yet. Will be soon, though. Any day now. I have this idea for a yoked sweater that’s been stewing for years. I’m hoping to be able to get it out in the open, planned, charted, and knit with the help of this design book. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Then today, a whole slew of books arrived from people around the country courtesy of the Book Mooch site. I love this mooching thing. I’ve sent off a bunch of books, and so far have received eleven in return (there’s another book upstairs, a Ben Bova for Dave, that didn’t make it into the photo). This collection includes books by Janet Evanovich, Lee Child, Elizabeth George, Sue Grafton, Barbara Hambly, Jane Austin, Lawrence Block, and Robert Silverberg. A bunch more are currently on their way to me. As you can see, some of the books are, indeed, paperback, but a bunch of them are hardcover as well. This book trading thing is fun. And it’s awesome to get books that I’ve wanted to read for a long time in the mail. I had four packages containing a total of five books waiting for me when I got home from running errands this afternoon. How cool is that? I’m expecting a number of others to arrive any day now, based on their shipping dates. If you love to read and have stuff laying around the house that you either read and don’t want to keep, or know you’ll never get around to, this is a great thing to do with them. Really. Quite fun. Most of the books I’ve received are in tip-top condition, too, including several first editions, and one that’s signed. Woot! I do love books….
I know. I know. What you’re probably really here for is a knitting update. The sweater doesn’t really look any different than the last time you saw it, the socks haven’t progressed one twit, but the mystery shawl on the other hand, is doing quite well. I finished up the third clue on Sunday afternoon. I pulled it out and pinned it, dry, still on the needles, and measured it. You know. To have some idea. In this picture it’s 32 inches tall by 22 inches wide. That works. Good start. Still no idea what the theme is, but I’m still loving knitting it, so I can’t see that that little detail matters a bit.
Hope you all had a good weekend. Sorry I’ve been so bad at posting lately. Also sorry to see a few people desert me when I didn’t post for four days in a row. Bummer that. Oh well. Hoping there are still a few people out there reading my blog. Please leave comments! I love comments, and always respond to every comment individually. Hope you all have a great week!
KarenJoSeattle July 17
I have the sweater design book out to read soon, too.
I had three days without a post and my page views per day dropped precipitously. Not that they’re that high yet on a good day.
–Deb July 17
Ah, Maggie Righetti. Her “Knitting in Plain English” was the book that got me hooked on knitting, back in college….
Susan B. July 17
{shamefacedly hiding her head} I’m still not finished with clue #1! I have to go SO SLOWLY on this stole that I can only knit it late at night propped in bed with chart and pencil, etc. - and lately as my 2-year old has been staying up far too late by the time I finally crawl into bed I zonk out within seconds! Obviously I need to have a Very Firm talk with myself about such laziness and need to Get Down To Knitting Business this very evening!
The stole looks fantastic - you’re obviously a very talented and careful knitter - you’re totally my inspiration and yardstick on this one!!!
p.s. how do you like the look of your beads?????
Kim July 17
I have both of the Modern Lace books–they are a great resource.
I cannot believe you are done with clue 3–good for you! I’m still in clue 2. I have spent more time reading than knitting lately–I need to finish HBP by Friday, right? Oh, and remember when I was a bit ahead in the RAL? Well, now I’m behind. I didn’t start HBP until yesterday. I had to savor OotP a little longer :)
Susan in SoCal July 17
Glad you got so many wonderful books, Laura.
Angela July 18
I’m still here, though not as much as I’d like to be…..
I have a few days off of work this week so I may be able to check in a bit more. If only the thunderstorms will stay away a bit and I can get some more gardening done in the yard!
Brenda July 18
The Mystery Stole is looking good! I don’t think anyone has figured out the theme. It certainly is pretty, and you are really keeping up with the clues!
Wonderful set of books you received! You have some great reading planned.
Robin July 18
I’m still here. I check every day to make sure you’ve posted something. If you haven’t I check back before I go to bed. You want a tease? I ordered you something the other day, from Etsy………..
Mikki July 23
I LOVE Janet Evanovich. No literary genius, but any book that makes me laugh OUT LOUD while reading is a joy!
Jenna July 28
I’m still here, too, just behind on blog reading. :)