~ 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

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I spent much of my knitting time this week getting the finished designs ready for publication.

For the jacket design, this requires grading (or sizing) the pattern which is lots of math and juggling of numbers and generally spending all day Saturday getting it right — making sure the cables line up, the stitches are correct multiples and the numbers and yardage requirements are reasonable. The jacket is available for Misses’ XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, and 3X … that’s alot of math!

The part that took the longest on finishing up the blanket was the fabric backing (to cover the floats from that big, fluffy sheep). Here’s what the back now looks like …

They are both now available at my Ravelry store (click on each picture and you’ll get more info about the designs).

Because of the amount of time spent getting the designs published, I didn’t get a whole lot of knitting done on the secret project … but between rehearsals and driving hither and yon … I did get the back done. With the heat index rising (we’re supposed to get 97+ today!), we’re doing quite a bit of reading around here: the current read-aloud is Eva Ibbotson’s The Beasts of Clawstone Castle — a weird story that is charming and fun and we’re really enjoying it. It started slow but after the first couple of chapters, has really grown on us. This would be a GREAT read-aloud for Halloween.

Oh, and thanks to all of you who helped me decide on my DAL project. The winner design is the Japanese Tea Garden kimono … I’ll get a sketch posted later this week so you can see where that design is going ….

I’m wishing I had more time to read as I’m in the midst of a suspenseful, apocalyptic novel titled The Seraph Seal. I wasn’t expecting to like this book as it’s set in the future and I’m not usually interested in this kind of book. But this is turning into a fabulous read — about the world in 2048 and the classic good vs evil battle. It’s one of those books that could prove true. It’s got so many threads interwoven that really do work together. I’m impressed and am only irritated that I don’t have enough time to sit and devour it!

So what’s on your needles and your book table(s)? Go check out Ginny’s post and and join in the fun!