Purple Tailored Cardigan

Purple Tailored Cardigan, a photo by Linda McK on Flickr.

I'm so glad to get this one finished. Fuzzy yarn in a dark colour does not make for easy row counting. Throw in a lot of evening knitting and the fact that I'm very close to needing varifocals and it all adds up to not a very enjoyable knitting experience.
This is my second one of this pattern. This time I made the same size but in a slightly heavier yarn so it is bigger. I also made it longer, added 4 buttons instead of 3 (they were already in the button box no point in leaving one as it'll never get used). The sleeves are also longer but I've made them too long this time. I should have made the bottom garter bands bigger but I got bored doing garter stitch.
I like how it's turned oiut and can see myself getting lots of wear out of it.

Went to the library on Saturday

Ghost ship, a photo by alancleaver_2000 on Flickr.

I managed to finish my last 2 library books within a week (with a day to spare). Though one of them was a PG Wodehouse and they don't take many hours to read.
I decided to decrease the number of books I borrow from the library so this time I took out 4 instead of 5. Of course, 3 of them are quite long books so sort of defeats the purpose. I got 2 historical, 1 thriller and 1 fantasy.
I haven't started reading any of them as I've got to read and finish the next installment in the Richard Bolitho series by Alexander Kent by Saturday. I'm on book 6 of 24, so along way to go. The books are set in the late 18th Century and are set on British naval ships (hence the photo of the tall ship). It was my mum who suggested I read them - I'd been re-watching the Hornblower and I'd said to her that I was going to read the books when she suggested Alexander Kent as an alternative and did I want her collection of his books. Of course she only had books from the end of the series so I'm having to buy all the ones from the beginning. My mum used to be an avid reader but she finds it difficult to concentrate for too long but she's enjoying rereading these books. I'm reading them and then passing them onto her to read and as I'm going to visit her at the weekend and as she's finished the previous book in the series last week I've got to go with the next book.

See it here first

Vine Lace Vest, a photo by Linda McK on Flickr.

Finally got around to putting the finishing touches to the vest with the addition of 3 crotchet loops and 3 buttons. The only other mod I made was to lengthen the vest by a couple of inches. I think another couple of inches would have been even better. I didn't want to block it too heavily as the yarn is an wool/acrylic blend.

This is a knitting blog

so I guess I should talk about knitting. Or rather how I've slowed down in my knitting output as I have to get through one library book a week. I do have a FO to show you which has been finished for about a month now but I still haven't got around to recharging my camera battery to take photos. I haven't even worn it yet - it's the Vine Lace Vest and I don't have a thing to wear with it. I like to have long-sleeves at work as I tend to get cold if I'm in short-sleeves but of my long-sleeved tops they are either the wrong colour or have the wrong neckline or are a bit on the cropped side for work. Guess I should get out there and buy a new top.

Oh, and I've also knitted an infinity scarf which I've worn but not photo'ed and it's been put away for next winter.

I am also nearly 3/4 done with a plain cardigan which hopefully I'll get finished in the next fortnight.