Month: April 2018
Queen Victoria’s Cousins – Christina Croft
I was familiar with the fact that most of Europe’s royalty is descended from Queen Victoria and her numerous children. And I knew she came from a background that linked her to other royalty (her uncle became the King of Belgium, and her consort, her own first cousin, was a German prince), but I had not realized how extensive that network was. And that’s just her maternal relatives. It’s easy to forget that there were several other royal uncles, sons of George III, still kicking around, and that they had children of their own
This book charts those relationships. Each chapter covers a particular theme (usually relating to a certain smaller family within the family), and they’re roughly chronological. It’s an interesting survey of 19th century history, and how a few extended families influenced quite a bit of it. Probably be fun for anyone that’s recently watched Victoria on Masterpiece.
Knitting Notes
Slight change of plans on the colorwork mittens I’d started – I wasn’t feeling the last pattern, so switched over to Tursas, by Valeria Kerkka. I’m liking this pattern much better, so far.
I also started a Bantam Bunny, from the same Rebecca Danger book as the elephant I just finished. More stash busting – this is another Tess’ Worsted mini skein, and some I Knit or Dye Softly Natural Aran.
Among Others – Jo Walton
I wish I’d read this book some other time. I thought I was starting something else when I first picked it up, and it wasn’t what I was expecting. But, I’m enough of a completest, I couldn’t put it back, and had to finish it. I think I’d have liked it better if I’d started it when it was what I thought I was getting myself into.
This isn’t straight fantasy. Morwenna and her twin Morganna can see fairies. And their mother is a witch. In trying to prevent her from doing some unnamed, terrible thing, Morganna is killed, and Morwenna’s leg is ruined. She runs away to the father they’ve never before met.
The story is Mori’s school journal, talking about all the scifi and fantasy she’s discovering (in 1979 and 1980), her getting a boyfriend, and magic. The magic piece is a bit weird. It’s definitely real, but I don’t feel like I really had enough background to fully appreciate how it worked in with our real world.
I definitely think this is a book you need to be in the right mood for.
Knitting Notes
Pattern: Small-Peanuts Elephant by Rebecca Danger
Yarn: Red from a Frabjous Fibers March Hare Mini Skein Pack and Tess’ Designer Yarns Superwash Merino Worsted in the Steel Grey Blue colorway
Needles: Size 6 DPNs
I’d had Rebecca Danger’s 50 Yards of Fun book on my wishlist for a while, and saw it the library. It’s a great little stash busting book. Super cute patterns, with lots of variations. I’ve already got another one of these up my sleeve.
The Library, the Witch, and the Warder – Mindy Klasky
This book’s another point of view from Klasky’s Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft, the Warder -David Montrose, instead of the witch, Jane Madison.
It’s nice to see the male point of view of one of these stories, but this book was much busier than I remember Jane’s version being. David’s gotten himself into a little bit too much action – I think focusing on one of his own plotlines, in addition to Jane, would have made a little more sense. That said, I enjoyed it.
Knitting Notes
(Shawl)
(Edging)
Project: Celestarium by Audry Nicklin with the Stellar Wave Edging by Kimberlee Johnson
Yarn: Tess’ Designer Yarns Superwash Merino Lace in the Maine Woods and Waters colorway
Needles: Size 5 circs
I finally got around to blocking my Celestarium this weekend.
I really enjoyed this pattern – the actual knitting wasn’t difficult at all, but the beading added an interesting dimension.
Love this yarn – the color gradations are so pretty.
From left to right: Orion, Taurus and the Big Dipper
Knitting Notes
Pattern: Baby Berry hat by Michele Sabatier
Yarn: Patternworks Breton Heathers and Knit Picks Capra in Pesto
Needles: Size 7 and 8 DPNs
There are more baby cousins on the way, so I turned to this trusty hat pattern, which has the bonus of using up yarn (though it’s still not totally gone in either case. Baby steps!)
The North Wind and the Sea 