~ 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! ~ Ginny at small things


Wow … it has been a crazy-fast summer! Here we are in the 2nd week of July and my first yarn-along post since mid-June. During my self-imposed hiatus from yarn-alonging: I’ve been to Columbus (OH) for TNNA’s annual fiber trade show, worked many days out at Dog House Yarns, helped a bit with my parish’s VBS, started rehearsals for My Fair Lady (I’m stage manager and the three youngest are in ensemble) and found time to post a few designs (including Sorcha’s Shawl and Roisin’s Garden Shawl)

Sorcha’s Shawl


Roisin’s Garden Shawl — a 60″ x 16″ shawlette


But on to what I’m knitting and reading this week:

Yarn-along: July 11, 2012


On the needles: about half-way through a top-down cotton-blend cardi … lace and cables at the top (with hidden increases within the lace yoke) and solid SS down below. Just have to finish the SS part (with a hem of lace) and add a bit of length to the cap sleeves and she’ll be done. Pretty, eh?

As far as reading … did I mention we’re almost half-way thru the summer?????!!!!! That means I’ve got to get cracking with plans for the school year. Some are obvious (continue the math the kids have been working on … Confirmation prep ending for Hambone and starting for Kit … and good stuff for HotRod to learn, too … etc). Science is “done” with our membership in the Magic School Bus Junior Scientists’ Club (a monthly packet arrives with a different topic … I’ve already rec’d volcanoes and solar system so I could start in August, should I be so inclined). So history is the main subject to schedule — once I’ve got that done, than read-alouds, silent reading, writing practice all fall into place. This year, we’re going to work on the 20th Century — well, actually post-Reconstruction (1880’s) till after WW2 and finishing with the start of the Cold War. We’ll also delve into the Election and some general civics. The books I’ve chosen as our “spine” will be the last three volumes of Joy Hakim’s The History of US: Age of Extremes (vol 8), War, Peace and All That Jazz (vol 9), and All the People (vol 10). We’ll supplement with the Catholic Textbook’s Light to the Nations, Part 2 as well as lots of living books. I like Hakim’s books because she focuses on the people … the stories … the themes of the ages rather than dry, dull facts and figures. Light to the Nations will ensure coverage of the Catholic Church’s impact on these events (from a domestic and international point of view) including apparitions, pontiffs and the increase in liberation theology and social justice.

I’m also planning a Hobbit Advent Adventure to coincide with the release of the new movie in December! The Annotated Hobbit is a wonderful copy of the book with lots of Tolkein and Tolkein-inspired illustrations, notes and explanations throughout. We’re going to have some fun with this family read-aloud unit that will span the month of December.

Oh, and do you notice that little box in the lower left corner of the picture above? That’s the 2013 Knitting Calendar from Simon and Schuster. It’s not out yet to the public but I have a DESIGN IN THERE, so I got an advance copy. Isn’t that cool????

So won’t you come yarn-along with us over at small things?

  • Subscribe to Blog via Email

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 33 other subscribers
  • Disclaimer for hot-linked items:

    Most books, dvds and other media resources that are hot-linked will take you to Amazon.com. IF you purchase these items through my links, I will receive a small commission from Amazon.com. These commissions are used to buy more items to review (although I do occasionally receive "review copies" as noted in the specific post) and for supplies and resources for our learning adventures. Please enjoy and shop, knowing you are enabling our resource-buying actions!
%d bloggers like this: