Another reading challenge?!

I was in two minds as to whether I should share yet another reading challenge for fear of running over old ground. But I had such success with my 2017 reading challenge, I had no reservations continuing in the same vein for 2018. Once again Popsugar released yet another inspiring list of 40 book prompts to broaden your literary horizons and I jumped thoroughly on board at the start of the year.

Seed stitch blanket - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

Turning the back page on 2017

It’s unbelievable to me that it is December 2017. This year has delivered the highest highs and the lowest lows for me in all of my 30 years. I turned 30 this year, and rather than shy away and fear the big 3-0, I’ve welcomed it, I mean…I knit, live most of my life in my pyjamas and prefer nights in to nights out. I’m 30 going on 80. Continue reading

I would normally have given up by now…

I’m almost at the end of my Popsugar Reading Challenge 2017, and I’m already thinking of what books I’ll be reading after it ends. So my little experiment has worked! I now read so much more, I listen to audiobooks when I knit, so my other time-consuming past-time hasn’t suffered as a result.

It’s helping me to power through quite a few WIPs, and I’ve even cast off a couple of projects. A moss stitch tie for Papa Shortrounds, the beautiful Speckled Scarf by Purl Soho, We Are Knitters Slushies Top and my Find Your Fade Shawl by Andrea Mowry. All finished! (Updated images to follow soon!)

Let’s hope that when I round off this series of blog posts in December, I’ve been as productive in my reading as in my knitting!

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Popsugar Reading Challenge 2017 update – halfway there

In between knitting for my latest pattern release – Hessian Shawl, I’ve been reading reading reading. Audiobooks are a knitter’s best friend and I’ve really enjoyed broadening my reading horizons, whilst being able to thoroughly ‘crack on’ with my various knitting projects.

I’m halfway through my journey to read at least 40 books this year, with the help of a little reading challenge by Popsugar. You can check out my progress on my shawl and reading list below!

What have you been reading lately? How do you balance reading and knitting in your spare time?

Hessian Shawl Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2017 – an update

It’s been a few weeks since I last posted. And there’s an explanation for why. I’ve been busy doing nothing – that is to say knitting away the hours and head down (or earbuds) deep in a book! It’s been incredibly refreshing to take a bit of a break, and get back to the things that truly relax me. I set myself a bit of a challenge to broaden my literary horizons and I’m making really good progress with the help of my trusty Kindle and Audible subscription. So here’s a bit of an update on where I am entering the four month of my POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2017.

Personal highlights so far have been The Perks of Being a Wallflower – an amazing account of friendship and struggles navigating teenage years, and Ready Player One – I devoured this book, and enjoyed listening to it in audiobook format – I cannot, cannot wait for the film now. I may even read it again before its release.

I’ve shuffled a few things around, and introduced a couple of new titles into my list. This is a shifting, moving and ever-changing list, but I’m loving introducing new genres and authors.

Popsugar reading challenge 2017 Continue reading

Knitting book wishlist

You may have noticed that I love a good book (ahem)…so when you combine books AND knitting, I’m in there like swimwear.

I bought Pam Allen’s Home Collection from Quince & Co. as an ebook earlier this year (or was it even last year – how time flies!) – and devoured it. It comes with no less that 18 patterns including clothing, accessories and homewears. I’ve made so many things from it, and have plans to make a couple of the larger garments too. Personal faves include the Tai Baskets, the Bergson socks and the Lily Slipper Flats! Continue reading

Book worm

I love it when I actually stick to my goals! I never thought in a million years I’d manage to read 20 books this year given my previous track record. But here I am, in the follow up to this post, counting down the last 10 books on my list.

I say the ‘last’, but seeing as it’s barely three-quarters of the way through the year I’ve upped my reading challenge to a whopping 30 books – completely achievable if I keep up the momentum! I’m still keeping on with my Kindle, Audible (great to knit along to) and common-or-garden books (my favourites) to help me stay on track.

So here are the ‘next’ 10 books on my list, and here’s hoping I’ll close down this blog post series in December having read my 30th book of 2016! Continue reading

Turning the back page

I set myself a challenge at the beginning of this year to read at least 20 books – whether that be books I’ve read before, entirely new books, short story compilations, poetry collections or graphic novels!

Since leaving university (from my English literature and French language degree) the number of books I get through a year has dramatically fallen. I used to have the time to plough through up to three books a week to meet the demands of my degree course, whereas more recently I’d be lucky to get through three books a year. A poor show for a self-confessed book-a-holic. Continue reading