In Progress

Ignoring the forecast of the big snowstorm we're supposed to get Wednesday, spring is in progress. The spring clothing catalogs arrive daily in the mailbox, the knitting magazines are showing cotton tops and short-sleeved sweaters, and the grocery stores have removed the holiday decorations in the center aisle and set up the patio furniture and gardening tools. My parents have spotted daffodils poking through the soil in their garden. Yay!

Everything in my life seems to be in progress too right now...the wristwarmers I'm knitting, house cleaning and tidying projects, the charity ride sponsors (four so far!), and the bike training. It's hard living "in progress," and it doesn't make for interesting blog photos. It will be more fun to see some of these things cross the finish line!

My reading is in progress too. I'm still working my way through Pride and Prejudice. I have a new respect for Jane Austen and one of the messages she seems to send her female readers, not to sell yourself short and hold out for what you really want. She's not all tea and dresses as I had assumed.

I've been very good about not buying any new books so far this year, though they still creep in the house despite my resolve. Homicide in Hardcover, a bookbinder mystery, came from Book Mooch, and I'm eagerly anticipating the third book in the "Rather" series, A Rather Charming Invitation, by C.A. Belmond, which I pre-ordered last fall. Penny and Jeremy are out to recover his family's stolen bridal tapestry, which likely means more trips to the south of France. As the snow will be coming down once again, the south of France sounds like the perfect escape!

There are two questions I will leave you with:

First, what do you think of the new Knitscene? I thought this issue was better than some of the previous ones. I love the Helleborus Yoke cardigan, below, though I won't get to knit it any time soon. The shawls are pretty too.

from Knitscene Spring 2010

ETA: Speaking of Interweave, do you still receive email from Knitting Daily? When Sandy Wiseheart used to write them, I got one per day. Since the new editor took over, I don't seem to receive them anymore.

Secondly, is there any way to find a missing episode on the internet of Inspector Lewis, the PBS mystery? The last episode aired in Britain, "Counter Culture Blues," was not aired in the US this summer. YouTube removed the files, and I can't seem to find access to it anywhere else. iTunes does not offer it for sale, and I couldn't find it on Hulu or Netflix either. Is there a better source for British TV shows that I am missing? Thanks in advance if you can help!

Comments

[Robin]

I liked the new Knitscene too. I'm knitting the Shirtwaist Pullover in kelly green Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and am about 12" into it (knit bottom up.) I also liked the sweater you pointed out.

On Knitting Daily, I liked Sandi's emails better. I got one yesterday from the new editor about revelations in blocking or somesuch. For the most part, the emails seem less frequent and more sales oriented now.

[Chris]

I haven't seen the new Knitscene, so I can't comment. And I think I'd unsubscribed from Knitting Daily a long time ago - I definitely don't get emails from them.

I'm still boggled at the thought of spring being so close for you. *looks out at the 8" of fresh snow*

[Beth]

I get less frequent Knitting Daily emails now, but I do get them. Do you want me to forward them to you when they arrive?

One of the last emails from them was Knitscene preview. It does look like a good issue!

[MrsSDC]

Debby,

Congratulations on signing up four sponsors for the charity ride. That is terrific.

Ann

[Kristen]

I almost never buy knitting magazines, but happened to flip through this one when standing in line to buy buttons at JoAnn's. It was that tweedy green cardigan that hooked me into buying it. I like several of the other patterns too, including the pretty shawls that look easy enough for even a lace klutz like me.
I'd almost forgotten about Knitting Daily, which I enjoyed, and thought maybe I wasn't getting the updates anymore because my email address had changed.

[Sara]

I haven't seen the new Knitscene - so I am useless on that question.

As far as the Knitting Daily - i'm not impressed anymore...to sales oriented I think.

Sounds like life is going as it should...

You know I used to get all bummed out right around February - and it finally hit me that it was a seasonal thing - so, if I sleep in a bit more in winter and stay up a lot later - I should not be hard on myself...Once spring hits I am back to being my old self...

[Sheepish Annie]

I am eternally grateful that this storm is not coming our way. I'm so out of the "winter spirit" that it's not even funny. I also think I need a copy of Knitscene. I haven't bought a knitting mag in forever and perhaps it's time to reward my frugal behavior!

[Dorothy W.]

The books creep into your house -- I love that! Books have certainly been creeping in here as well. Congrats on the sponsors you have so far -- that sounds like a good start!

[Sydney]

Wow, even we don't have daffodils coming up yet, although we have the past two years. I know what you mean about everything being in progress.

I looked through a friend's copy of the new Knitscene the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised. There were some nice patterns in it. I hadn't even looked at it in a while.

I still receive Knitting Daily but I hardly ever read it. Often when I do open them up, they seem to be selling something.

[Leah]

I am totally in love with Connie Chang Chinchio's Geodesic cardigan in the new knitscene! I like the look of the pattern you picked out too--that should look nice on you!

[Jane]

I'm a little behind here, so I'll start by saying that your Pedals for Paws event sounds great. What a fabulous thing to do. I do get Knitting Daily, but more often than not I delete it unread because it seems more ad than info. I have both the last two issues of Knitscene and love several of the patterns in both. In fact, I bought yarn for two of the sweaters in the latest issue.