knitting & reading roundup

The weather turned so suddenly that I didn't get a chance to block this shawl before wearing it. No, that's not entirely true - I just don't really have the space to block anything, not to mention I could have worn any number of shawls or scarves. I suppose I'm just impatient.

I followed the pattern for the Blackburn Reversible Shawl, which was simple and satisfying. The yarn is a camel/silk blend I picked up at Rosehaven Farms last summer in Picton and it's very soft and cozy (the camel only makes up 30% of the fibre). There is a very subtle sheen thanks to the silk but also a nice halo - which seems to suit the natural ivory colour perfectly. Overall it's an easy-to-wear shawl, blocked or not.

I've been reading more Canadian authors for the Canadian Book Challenge. I loved Elizabeth Hay's Student of Weather, so I was pretty excited to start Alone in the Classroom. Most folks know Hay for Late Nights on Air, but I struggled getting through that novel.  Not so with these other novels. Both hooked me immediately and again, I couldn't put this one down. It's funny though - I disliked the narrator, but luckily she didn't become known until the last third of the story. The main character, a woman named Connie Flood, was incredibly interesting. Her only flaw (if it really is a flaw) was falling for unattainable men, but her independence was refreshing, and the characters who were drawn to her had similarly strong egos. The settings were richly Canadian and the themes compelling (though I'm a little lost about the connection between Parley Burns and the murdered girl). 

Next up was Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad, which shows that subway advertising for books works! I applaud tackling the theme of questioning motherhood - surely it's not for everybody, but I understand the topic is practically taboo. Yet when the mother-in-law explained that the ability to withstand the identity loss motherhood demands all depends on who you were to begin with (further saying you need "the genetic structure to withstand such change"), I was disappointed. This idea seems to smack of judgement since she's saying if you can't deal with change, you won't deal well with motherhood. It seems to be a negative approach to understanding the issue, but that's just my opinion. As for the novel itself, it's funny to read a story set in your own city - I had a hard time taking it seriously when I knew all the references. But I laughed out loud at a description of why urban people love rustic design. It was so true and I'm totally guilty of finding what I think of as accidental beauty (ie. barn beams) appealing. I'm hopelessly urban and it was fun to laugh at myself. A decent read overall.

For more knitting and reading inspiration visit today's Yarnalong.