You were wondering how can I read books while I knit
socks. I can read magazines, they stay open and e-books I have in my IPad. Most
library books are so worn that they stay open too, with little bit of help from
something, like phone on the corner of the book. Like most of you, I cannot sit
still and do nothing, watching TV is impossible without something to work on.
Lately the same is happening to me while I read, I concentrate better when I
knit while I read. I need pause more often due to knitting, giving time think,
what I have been reading, thus the reading comes more meaningful somehow, but
the books need to be good and worth pondering about. Of course, there are audiobooks,
but sometimes it is nice to sit in the quiet and read, like in the evenings.
People were telling stories in the old times, before
the written word. Listening to audio books keeps the same tradition alive. We
have a national epic, called Kalevala. (J. R. R. Tolkien was both inspired and
influenced by it.) The poems of the epic are told in rhymes, making them easier
for the teller to remember. This book is something I want to have as an audio
book, I have not bought it yet, but will; I think it should be heard, like it
was passed on.
One more thing about my socks, I think I have
mentioned this before. I always start with normal long-tail cast-on. Usually cast
on 19 stitches per needle, 4 x 19 is 76 stitches, if using 2mm needles. (Sometimes
I use bigger needles for the cast on row and the first purl rows, then I
usually just cast on 18 sts per needle.) I purl 4 rows. This, because I
hate tight edges, I just cannot live in something that puts pressure on my feet.
When I start my ribbing, I decrease 4 stitches evenly, 1 stitch per needle. I
knit the ribbing and purl 4 rows again, before I proceed to stockinette, this
just adds a little detail, serves no other purpose. If I want to have little burst
of color, I can knit these 4 rows with different color than the main sock.
You have seen these guys before, but since it is so appropriate
today, they are here again! (The camera was off-focus, sorry about that!)
Wool with you,
Lene
Dear Lene in Snow,
ReplyDeleteThe reason I had to ask for the pulla recipe is because you don't have a search window on your blog. The Harlot does - if I remember one significant word from a post I want to re-read, for instance "rack", I can find it in a twinkling. But asking the whole big google-world for "lene pulla recipe commitment" doesn't find the post I want. But thank you, and many new pulla-bakers will thank you also. I will make them tomorrow morning, as I will be home alone.
Hi Ellen,
DeleteBeatrice Ojakangas is a Finnish American cook book author, who does a lot of research into the authentic ways of making Finnish recipes, and adjusts her recipes for the ingredients and cooking methods available in the U.S. I'm a Finn living in Minnesota, and I've used Beatrice's pulla recipe for years, because the recipe straight out of Finland would not work the same here.
Even though Lene doesn't have a search window, you can use google and limit your search Lene's blog by typing your search terms and then "site:lenealve.blogspot.com"
Deletefor example if you're looking for a pulla recipe, type:
pulla recipe site:lenealve.blogspot.com
the results will be every mention of those words on the blog only
Love those snowmen - did you make them? So cute. Wow! Only a couple hours of daylight and deep snow already. I think I would be hibernating...but please don't as I'm enjoying your daily posts so much.
ReplyDeleteI found the old German cast-on (maybe also called the Norwegian cast-on) that solved my sock cast-on problems. There is another flip to the long-tail that adds a nice stretch. I also use it for hats and sleeves. Also gave the Okanagan cookbook. Excellent for this time of year. Looking forward to tomorrow'so post.
ReplyDeleteThe snowmen decorations are very sweet. We don't decorate very much. We have a small apartment w/too many things, but we still make sure to put a little heart into showing our holiday spirit. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your sock starting. I like this idea of the purling at the start and between the cuff and the leg. I might give that a go, next pair.
I love the functionality of socks. Everyone is happy with a pair of socks. I prefer them to slippers I think.
Darling snowmen. I especially like the wall hanging. Are the snowmen made of wool? felt?
ReplyDelete