First things first, Sweep in Peace is out from Graphic Audio and their Orro is fantastic. “Bring your small demon!” To review a sample and order, click here.
State of House Andrews: today is the day we finish the copy edit of Ruby Fever. We have one more beta read to read through, then we need to write an epilogue scene, and then we will send it to our lovely editor and to a couple more beta readers.
Almost done with that book. I cannot explain how happy that makes me. The majority of the work is done. Only the proofread and minor adjustments will be left. Effectively, we’ve finished our obligations. Once we click send today, we are basically free agents.
Also today is the zoom call with Nora, the person behind all of the Graphic Audio adaptations and the voice of Dina, so we can go over the pronunciations for One Fell Sweep. And then taxes. We need to print, and sign, and upload, and bleah.
Our agent has our new proposal, so something may come of it or something may not.
So I have started that Mkal knitting project. I really liked the shaping of it up until I came to the color work section.
I don’t like it.
There are some parts I like. I like this bottom edge.
It’s neat and makes me happy. I like the colors. I like the initial dark and light triangle.
I don’t like the colorwork. At all.
I am pulling that light stitch across rows, just slipping it, and that is not my favorite technique. I don’t mind slipping it for a couple of rows, but I am slipping it across 4, I believe. It is stretched all the way up. Why not just carry the two colors instead then?
I don’t like the size of the rectangle. That bottom edge is all of the width we’re getting because the shawl is turning into a rectangle. A shawl should be large enough to wrap yourself in. This shawl will be about the width of the rectangular kitchen towel, if you lay it with the short side toward you. That’s not a shawl. That’s a scarf or possibly a stole.
Also, I am a firm believer that a shawl should be reversible. I like to drape them.
This is not a reversible shawl, because the colorwork is done in stockinette and you are slipping stitches on the wrong side. Any fancy draping you do with it will show the reverse side.
It’s my own fault. I wanted to be surprised and didn’t do my research. This is the previous work by the Lyrical Knits, the Knights Who Say Knit.
If you click through to Ravelry and look at the pictures, you will see people holding it very carefully so one doesn’t see the reverse side. You kind of have to drape it over yourself like the stole of Catholic priest vestments.
So I still love the colors. The yarn is a dream. Miss Babs has outdone themselves with this base. The pattern is complex and pretty. No fault of the designer, but regretfully the pattern and I might have to part ways. Now the question is, what can I do with four colors, 490 yards each? I still want a fancy shawl. I might have to do a deep Ravelry dive today.
being done with something you have worked on for so long is just the best feeling. Such a weight off your shoulders and you slowly get your sanity back xD
I don’t know about getting your sanity back. In my experience there is no such thing as a Sanity Clause!
Sanity….what is that?
I love the colors of your shawl towel/placemat. As a lefty, with many well meaning righties trying to teach me how to knit, I just git my teeth, have twitch in my eye and feel anxious thinking about knitting. So my advice is create something you have wanted to try. Gardening is my zen.
I am a lefty. I knit right but use my left hand more than a righty does. I started with throwing, then did crochet, then decided it was stupid to flip over a work and taught myself to knit backwards. I do lace work so I do purling and everything in between.
For the first year I knit, every stitch I made was twisted and I just didn’t notice. If you want to knit, plan on camping out for an hour or two and just pulling apart something over and over. It’s like changing diapers – you do enough of them quickly that you get your jam down (and someone else’s way will be totally different!).
Just make sure you start with a yarn size you can see without squinting – no need to make life harder than necessary. 🙂
My good friend is also a lefty. Her righty mother taught her to knit by sitting across from her, instead of beside her. Somehow the automatic mirroring worked for her. Enjoy your gardening!
I am in my first remote knit along for a blanket where you do a square at a time. I haven’t gotten very far yet, still on the first square, but I think it will be pretty. Good luck hunting on Ravelry. You should be able to find something!
Mazel Tov! Congratulations on almost completing the Dreaded Ruby Fever. I know how good it feels to be finished with a project you were just done with working on. I’m certain that with your creativity you will figure out what to do with that beautiful yarn. Things are definitely looking up.
Good luck with a new pattern, the colors are terrific! Yeah to being very close to done!
Would love, love, love to be a beta reader again if you need any more help! Thanks for considering me!
Congratulations on putting almost all of Ruby Fever behind you, and good luck with your new proposal!
Oh I love that purple shawl!
I see what you mean about not liking the color work, but I am guessing that technique is to add a contrasting chaos to the clear lines. I like it.
YAY on Ruby Fever!
More time for you to work on another book! *ducking and running*
I had the same reaction to the current MKAL! I fully appreciate all the hard work the designer put in, it’s just not the right pattern/product for me.
Casapinka has some fun patterns using four colors (I did her Sharon Show MKAL and had a blast, although I wouldn’t necessarily consider it reversible). I’ve got Fabulosity and Botanique in my queue (both are workable with 4 colors), and I’m working on The Crown Wools now (because I saw a 12-color kit for it at yarn shop like 10 years ago and bought it for the pretty colors, hahaha, as one does).
I am SO EXCITED about GA doing more adaptations!!! Can’t wait to listen to their version of Sweep in Peace! And I’m waiting with baited breath for Ruby Fever (also glad you guys are done with it so you can maybe just enjoy not having external deadlines for a while).
Second Casapinka.
Also check out Life is Cozy. Full comment below.
Same. I loved the colors and yarn from Miss Babs, but the pattern for the MKAL isn’t for me. I love the theme and may decide to try out a couple of the patterns later in a different project.
I got super excited about the Graphic Audio release today. I really enjoyed the first one and I’m looking forward to this one.
I also really enjoyed the GraphicAudio of “Clean Sweep”. Hearing the story with voices and sound-effects made it almost like a new story. And I loved Sean – the actor imbued a lot of humor in his voice, which is so sexy.
Highly recommended!
https://www.graphicaudio.net/
Casapinka’s work is beautiful! Thank you for letting me know.
Congratulations on all your progress! For the fiber art, I just admire yarns and results, and wish you a good time on your Ravelry dive. I’m working on landscaping and house plans this week, and it is FUN. Good thing, because it’s also a lot of work. I love it though. And in my spare time, I just finished a reread of Iron and Magic, and started Emerald Blaze. Thanks for hosting my downtime activities!
Congratulations on being almost finished!! That sense of relief and weightlessness after finishing a huge project is giddying and I hope it lasts for a while 🙂 Hope you guys are resting well!!
Love the purple shawl and I agree that reversible is a big plus in a shawl.
I sincerely hope that we get Arabella’s story eventually. She’s a kaiju. I want to see more of her approach to conflict resolution (rage-monster it until it’s paste).
I feel like, after all you’ve been through, I should read Ruby Fever nice and slow, savoring each word and turn of phrase… to honor all that hard work! Rather than binge read all in one night … most likely will do both! ???? abs then repeat ..
Good luck with knitting project!!
Congrats on the edits and the new graphic audio! Sorry the shawl is not working as hoped but the colors are beautiful. All I could think about that slip thru technique is that I would make a pulled mess of it in a heartbeat. Good luck with finding a new pattern to play with.
The bottom edge is nifty! I presume you couldn’t just do another rectangle and just join the two together to make it wider because the edging would get in the way?
Congrats on Ruby being essentially done and dusted – Make sure you have some me time (beyond doing taxes!)
Hooray for having the end of RF in sight! Please, let us know what you find during your Ravelry dive. I finally have all of my knitting things out of storage.
Congratulations on finishing RF! I’m sure it will be wonderful for the readers, but I’m sorry it has been such a difficult project during an unprecedented time.
I hope your next writing will be more of what YOU both want to do and will refresh rather than drain you.
In good news, Texas weather is getting better and we are moving into the really comfortable and beautiful part of the year. Enjoy!
Congratulations on finishing Ruby Fever again! We are looking forward to reading it with the same enthusiasm that you have to be done writing it!
Sorry to hear the knitting project you were so excited about isn’t working out for you. Hopefully you can find a pattern to use or reuse that lovely yarn in a more satisfactory shawl pattern.
I so agree. Shawls and scarves should be reversible. No ugly sides on something that has both sides show constantly.
And your experience with the KAL is why I don’t do mystery kals. It always turns out it’s not something I’d choose to make and I am disappointed.
love and hugs!
~Laura
Oh, hooray!! I know this particular book has caused more than its fair share of angst. Enjoy those feelings of accomplishment once you hit “send”!
A new proposal? Already drooling.
Good luck on the knitting. I only got as far as crocheting and some needlepoint myself. I also think shawls are more impressive and wearable if there’s a nice reverse side.
Is there any possibility that we’ll get GraphicAudio editions for other series (Kate, Edge, Hidden Legacy, Kinsmen)? I love it so much and would definitely sign a petition. It’s been a really fun way to reread Innkeeper and experience the story in a new light.
I just bought all of the Edge series on audio, and boy do they suffer by comparison to the GA adaptations. I would love to hear any and all GA/IA adaptations.
Kate and Curran, pleaseplease please!
I love the light blue…it reminds me of a peaceful spring sky and I can almost hear the birds singing. Too bad the pattern doesn’t make a reversible shawl though. I’m with you: if I can’t casually drape a shawl without worrying about which side is showing, that’s not a shawl I will wear. Good luck…I’m sure whatever you end up making will be lovely! ????
4 skeins of fingering? Practically anything.
Casapinka does a LOT in that space, and many of her projects are named for her cats. Not like, “Precious Fluffers” but like, “Sharon, Chief of Security” who, I believe, smokes, and has an inter office feud with some of the other “employees.”
At least she’s a fun designer to follow.
Also – please check out Life is Cozy.
She is my friend, IRL. She loved here from the Ukraine about 5 years ago. She can use all the love and support right now.
Also she’s a phenomenal designer. Her aesthetic is perfection.
This is the most Ukrainian thing I have seen. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/oak-forest-shawl
I love it! I am going to buy this. I don’t know if it will work for my colorway, but it is an awesome spring shawl.
That’s a great pattern! It’s designed to work with ANY two skeins of fingering.
+1
I’m listening to Sweep In Peace right now! And yes! Orro is awesome!
I’m not usually a fan of full cast audio productions with sound effects. In the very worst ones the different voice performances disrupt the flow of the story and the sound effects are jarring and intrusive.
I thought I’d just try Sweep In Peace and I must say it’s really good. I’m so glad I purchased it.
It’s a couple of hours into SIP and I can’t wait to buy the rest of this series even though I already own the Audible versions. Orro IS awesome.
There is nothing about the colors or stitching I don’t like. I’m not a knitter, but I can see how a project like this could be an escape. I hope you can take some time to decide on how you want to proceed. It clearly has huge potential. Looking forward to seeing the finish. Hugs.
I’m downloading Sweep In Peace from Graphic Audio right now and can’t wait! Sweep In Peace was SO MUCH FUN!
Thank you for the update and hurrah on Ruby Fever!
I have no suggestions on things to knit, other than doggie sweaters. 😉
I just have to say… Knights Who Say Knit. Excellent play on Monty Python. I love that name.
I am listening to Sweep in Peace.
I am used to Nora’s voice now so really enjoying it.
Sorry about your shawl. Good luck with another pattern.
I totally get it – I’m not a fan of colorwork myself. Stripes, yes; things where there is a very definite wrong side of the work, not so much.
On the Miss Babs Ravelry forum, there are Bundles that show ideas for 2-color projects, 3-color projects, gradients, and other color combinations. here is the link:
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/miss-babs-fanatics/bundles
(Yes, I am a huge Miss Babs Fan. Yes, I have a large stash of her yarn. No, I don’t have a Miss Babs problem)
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thordis-shawl-thordisarhyrna
Took me a year + and 15 start-overs. So beautiful but translated from Icelandic where they start knitting in the cradle. Big hint, it knits from the middle up and then down.
I just looked yesterday to see when IC2 came out on Graphic Audio and was sooooo happy to see it was today! That’s what I imagined audio books were before I knew better. I really enjoyed it! ????
Love the Blues. The brown with those stitches – eh. I now have my second Graphic Audio book to start and have already ordered the third. The voices are just right.
Check out some of Ambah O’Brian’s wraps – a lot of them use 4 or more colors and are reversible!
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/ambah-obrien
Glad after today Ruby Fever is done for yall! I am so excited about Sweep in Peace Graphic Audio I loved clean sweep and both my 10 year old and 8 year old love the story and are excited to listen to Sweep in Peace!
Is knitting like painting where there is always a point where it’s ugly and you just want to throw it away but you have to keep working to get to the gorgeous? Or do you know pretty quickly that it’s just not? I don’t knit at all so I’m really curious.
not always, but sometimes. Or like anything else, slog through section X to get to good section Y.
Sleeve island is a real thing when working on a sweater. Sleeves always seem to take FOREVER.
There’s also a reason why I have a lovely cardigan still on the needles for 4+ years, yet in that same amount of free time I finish a fancy pair of socks in less than 10 days.
Ask any knitter who has done seed stitch about how much they hate it. It looks great, just making it is kind of tedious and a pain.
Agree about sleeve island! It’s why I prefer to knit tanks / short sleeves.
…disagree about seed stitch. As a continental knitter, seed is easy-peasy.
Thanks for letting me know. I’m definitely a painter not a knitter!
I feel there should be an Edge joke here we are missing…….
I can NOT knit, so my opinion is probably worthless. Be that as it may, I can’t help saying that what you showed us of the MKAL project that you have finished so far is beautiful, at least to my eye! The colors are gorgeous, and your knitting looks great and consistent throughout to me. I think it would be a shame to just undo or abandon what you have already accomplished, at least without trying to make it into something that you feel you could use. The project might not turn out to be what you had originally envisioned it to be, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t let it become something else that can be used and appreciated. Of course this is from someone who does NOT knit, so what I suggest might not only be impossible but it might be offensive. If that is the case, I sincerely apologize! I just see something already beautiful in what you showed us, and can’t help but think that there might be something you can do with it from here on out, so that you have something from this beautiful yarn and your great knitting, to use and enjoy! Maybe instead of a shawl, it becomes a gorgeous matting for the center of a coffee table or such (because of being rectangular), to prevent watermarks from drinking glasses, or scratchmarks from centerpieces or flower vases? I am not artistically creative enough myself to come up with a good idea, but it seems to me that you Ilona, are very creative. I hope that you can find something you can make of the beginnings of your MKAL project, as it really is beautiful and I hate to see all the work you have done so far go to waste.
Thank you for the link. Congratulations on getting to this point in becoming obligation free!! I hope it feels like a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders, and that you can enjoy that feeling for some time to come!!!
Ilona, You might want to try a reversible lace stitch pattern that is divisible by 2, such as Margaret Hubert’s “Fancy Eyelets”( not to be confused with other people’s
“Fancy Eyelets”). It is in “The Complete Photo guide to knitting”. You can either form a stripe by doing each pattern repeat or a number of pattern repeats in each color, or split the 6 row pattern into 2 rows of each color. With 4 colors and 3 color changes per pattern, it will be constantly changing. Use any of your shawls to figure how many stitches/inch to cast on from your swatch(washed and blocked or washed and dried first) so you won’t use too small a needle. You want the stitches large enough to be really soft and fluffy). You don’t need a garment pattern for a rectangle or triangle. Make sure you always use circular needles to save your wrists. You can always cover the yarns carried up the side by crocheting an edge around the completed shawl. A reveresable chevron, a Box Stitch or any checker board worked by rotating the colors would work just as well. Best of all with these stitches, there is Just enough thought to be fun in a quickly memorizable stitch, but easy enough that you can listen to a book or TV or a conversation while relaxing. Have Fun!
P.S. Loving Gaston and Orro and Cookie. So great to be seeing them again. Love InnKeepers!
You asked what you can do with your yarn – have you ever knit socks? If you don’t like using double point needles use 2 16” circular needles. Once you start Otis addictive and they are wonderful gifts to loved ones.
This one calls for DK weight, but it’s a very large shawl. I made it and it was fun and interesting.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pierre-3
Wow! What a great shawl❣️
Speaking of Steven West, today is the last day to get a 15% discount on his new pattern releases.
The one with gold and blues and white is stunning!
Deep dives into Ravelry are the best. ????
Glad you are almost finished with “the book” For large shawls be sure to look at westknits or Stephen West .
He is on ravelry too and has the most wonderful MKAL’s and colourful patterns. He also explains techniques in his videos. They are fun to watch.
So many shawls on Ravelry, I did a Stephen West MKAL end of last year, it had about 7 different colours and a weird array of stitches. He has so many shawls on his site always more than one colour.
Must admit that was my one and only shawl, I like garments more than accessories and love colourwork and cables.
Keep calm and knit on as one of my project bags says.
Can’t wait for Ruby Fever!!
So very excited about Ruby Fever as well as the weight off your shoulders!
I am not a knitter so I can only sympathize. My art of choice is baskets and having to redo rows is a nightmare of mine. A frequent one since I am still a beginner ????
And I absolutely love the name the name The knights who say knit!!
So sorry that yor project does’nt work out.
On the plus side now you’re mostly done with the book, and we’re happy to look forward for it.
Maybe you will find some inspiration under these two links:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drachenfeuer
Or
https://www.die-wolllust.de/shop/Designs-Patterns:::35.html
Happy pattern chasing ????
Ravelry is wonderful rabbithole to dive into :-).
First of all, I am not a knitter. But the purple/pink shawl you did is really beautiful and seems like a great color for you. It’s good that you like to knit and enjoy it. A great hobby.
And I can’t wait for Ruby Fever. Since you’re pretty much done, relax and enjoy yourselves. Peace and blessings to House Andrews from one of your BDH
Hi Ilona, congratulations on finishing Ruby Fever …. just a question and a comment … once you become free agents, can you continue with spin offs or further books in the Innkeeper series if you become enraptured with a new potential plotline? And, I reached a new, deeper level of appreciation of your skills yesterday, as I was listening to Wildfire (working my way thru the series for the 4th or 5th time, such a joy to hang out with those characters as I make quilts) and I realized how I learn interesting technical tidbits that are clearly the results of your vast research on so many different subjects. Whether it’s how many bullets a particular gun’s clip holds, or how fire affects the position of a corpse, or what temperature stainless steel melts at, and so many many other interesting droplets of precise information you meld into your novels so seamlessly, that I am learning interesting information without it interrupting the internal visual/emotional fantasy you are weaving. You and Gordon are true artisans in every sense of the word. Thank you for all the effort and depth you put into your works, I deeply appreciate the hundreds of hours of pleasure you have given me and continue to give me as I cycle thru your Innkeeper and House Baylor series. And now, while you’re finishing off Ruby Fever, I’ll go back to listening to Diamond Fire and the antics of the extended family of the dragon and his bride to be. Smiles, wishing you both an excellent and satisfying day.
House Andrews discussed the possibility of releasing potential future Arabella books as self-published works ????.
I hope so, I love Arabella, She is funny and have character. that should make for an interesting book lol lol lol
If you want something simple, try the Find Your Fade patterns. I think there’s one for just three skeins (the first pattern has five 100 gm. Skeins of fingering, although I did it with four). Or if you want something interesting but not fiddly, check out Ambah O’Brian’s shawl patterns.
Ravelry will have something! I love dream shopping there.
Triangle Waves Shawl by Ririko is a pretty 4 color shawl: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triangle-waves
I looked at some of the in progress photos of that MKAL Shaw and decided it wasn’t for me. Your colors are lovely. Maybe look at some of Romi’s shawls or Boo knits? I like some of Carol Sunday’s shawls. I hope that you find a perfect one. Happy knitting!
I am very excited about the new Innkeeper story and the graphic one. I hope that your next week includes some relaxing time.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a Miss Babs problem. It’s just so nice to work with!
I’m listening to Graphic Audio’s Clean Sweep right now and am really enjoying it.
Excited for Sweep in Peace!
Just ran across this quote, and it reminds me SO MUCH of the men you write for us: “You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled, with everything and all the reasons that wake you up in a haste and the demons that won’t let you sleep.⠀
You deserve a lover who makes you feel safe, who can consume this world whole if he walks hand in hand with you; someone who believes that his embraces are a perfect match with your skin.⠀
You deserve a lover who wants to dance with you, who goes to paradise every time he looks into your eyes and never gets tired of studying your expressions.⠀
You deserve a lover who listens when you sing, who supports you when you feel shame and respects your freedom; who flies with you and isn’t afraid to fall.⠀
You deserve a lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope, coffee, and poetry.”⠀
⠀
#FridaKahlo⠀
I’m not an expert knitter and just reading the instructions on the Princess Bride MKAL made my head hurt. I went looking on Ravelry and think this might be my answer.
OK, not sure how to post the link, but here it is
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/washed-out
thanks can hardly wait I will enjoy sweep in peace.
Something by Stephen West maybe? Or I’m currently doing the Musternixe shawl on Ravelry which you kind of invent as you go along…
I can’t knit, but I can sew. My thoughts would be to get a piece of silk velvet, or a heavy l’amour satin and make a lining/back. Or pull it apart and use the yarn for something else.
The colors are lovely. Very soothing combination.
Youhoo!
Sorry for having to say goodbye to the pattern, I’m sure you’ll find something nicer.
And thank you for the info about Graphic Audio, I’ll go have a listen.
Lots of good news otherwise 🙂
Laurence
I do not do hand work. I do look at the work as art. I think you need to brighten the contrast between the blues. The bottom work is ideal. Have fun with it.
Looking forward to listening to GA’s rendition of Sweep in Peace. We are driving 5 hours to meet our son, tomorrow. Perfect timing. I hope Maud’s story, is also in the mix as that is my favourite Innkeeper. I also hope GA will do Hidden Legacy or Kinsmen can’t decide both would be awesome.
I am so glad I am not the only one that was disappointed in the MKAL, for all the reasons Ilona stated, not wide enough, too blocky and those slipped stitches – uuggh, I abandoned mine, frogged it and began a different project with the yarn.
Sweep of the Blade is part of GA’s licensed works ????
So will it ever come out in audio???? Yes, I keep asking this.
Sweep of the Blade already exists in audio book format ????. Here, for example https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XZLNW4Q/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
And, as I’ve just explained, it is licensed for adaptation by Graphic Audio as well ????.
I mean not on audible. I want a separate source, like cd or Mp3. I’ll be happy to wait for the GA version, though.
Thanks!!
Yes, GA appears to include both those formats in their releases ???? .
Brilliant. Thank you
I love the reversable shaw. I like both colors and it pops with Ilona’ hair. I loved it a few years ago and now. I remember several beautiful projects modeled by grumpy Ilona ???? Made me smile.
I like the beautiful blues, they’re vibing well. The dark brown is too harsh.
I LOVE THE GRAPHIC AUDIO. sooooooo much. I am giggling at Orro. I am looking forward to eventually being able to hear FIRE! from him.
Do you know when it’ll come out on audible?
Hey Jane,
This adaptation will be released on Audible and other audiobook retailers on the 1st of May ☺️
If the table in the photo is as wide as I think it is, then I agree. This is “not” a shawl, at least not a shawl for an adult. It might be large enough for a small child to wear as a shawl. Maybe it could be used as a head scarf?
As a fan who also knits, you’re question “what can I do with 4 colors, 490 yards each” excites me. Enjoy the journey to the pattern you select!
Suggestions: Melanie Berg & Romy Hill.
When I get stuck and need knitting inspiration, I go to my mom’s old Mon Tricot booklets.
I too got about as far as you did and didn’t love the color work, unfortunately. No fault of the designer, just not my cup of tea. I have abandoned and cast on
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-the-spice-market
Not quite reversible, but I like the color work and it works perfectly with Miss Babs Mawwiage set that I purchase. I love some of the suggestions above and have added them to my favorite list 🙂
Off to purchase Sweep in Peace, I dig the graphic audio versions. Renee’s Couki is still the definitive voice tho 😉
Check out Sylvia McFadden, who has has quite lovely knitted shawl patterns. Many of them are garter stitch interspersed with lace, which look reversible to me. My favs are Waiting for Rain and Water.
So will this unhappy feeling carry over onto an Arabella trilogy? Maybe write about Leon, or your plethora of other worlds. Or your new idea.
I’ve received the Graphic Arts book but haven’t listened to it yet. Are you doing all the Innkeepers like this?
So happy you are done with your bête noire, and hope you have some happy days.
I don’t really have the unhappy feeling anymore. I think it died somewhere between the endless edits. 🙂 I am looking forward to Arabella’s story. As far as GA, I just talked to Nora today and they are really enjoying the way it’s turning out, so I think we will see all of the innkeeper in this adaptation. There will still be the regular audio. GA is more of a dramatization and is its own project.
I hope for happy days for you as well. After turning the RF in today, I fell asleep and just woke up. It’s 9:14 pm. I didn’t realize how tired we both are.
Glad you feel better. I had a day like that last week. A month of studying for a tough exam that I didn’t think I’d passed but I did. Went to bed early that night and was still wiped out the next day.
Thank you so much for the joy you give.
Lol- Princess Bride action figures?!? Classic! How wonderful would it be if one of the HA series got picked up as a show so we could have HA action figures! Love it!
Got to say it- as much as I love the movie version of The Princess Bride, William Goldman has sooo many more great lines in the book itself! Really fun break from reality if you need one;)
Whatever you decide to do next, have fun storming the castle!
Hi House Andrews!
I’m SO excited for RUBY FEVER. The pub date will be here before we know it!
I had a quick question: any idea on when/what season the Ryder book 2 will be coming out? Julie + Derek are some of my favorite characters EVER and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Incidentally, I’m a YA fantasy author (with Wednesday Books, Macmillan) and if you ever need a beta, I’m happy to read! (Would actually love to).
Thank you!!
Isabel
I am currently listening to the Graphic Audio adaptation, and it is AMAZING!!!
Saw this recently and thought of you:
https://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/7-EN001.htm
Beehive Knitting Booklets No. 9 Woolcraft.
A Practical Guide to Knitting & Crochet, New and Enlarged Edition, Reliable Instructions on the Use of Knitting Wools in the production by hand of Serviceable Garments for Every-day Wear.
Halifax, England, Patons & Baldwins Ltd., [c.1915], 64pgs.
https://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/pub/PDF/BeehiveWoolcraft2.pdf
Congratulations on almost finishing RF!!????
Those colors are lovely. Can’t wait to see what you do with them!!
Oh you make me want to knit.
I understand the frustrations with this current project but oh all the lovley colors and textures.. the thought of having something warm to wrap up in.
Congratulations on having finished with ruby fever, I hope you can do a little celebratory dance when all has been sent.
Enjoy the freedom and good luck with whatever comes next.
Day of the dead shawl? Should be ready for Halloween.
Do you know when/if Sweep in Peace will be available on audible?
Hi Morgan,
It will be on Audible on the 1st of May!
Hope this helps ????
I saw the answer just now ???? Can’t wait till May 1st
I got Sweep in Peace and concur-Orro is awesome! Graphic Audio is so much fun! I love this series and I think this is my favorite book because it really showcases Dina’s power as an innkeeper and her relationship to Gertrude Hunt. I also suspect their Dad comes from George’s universe and now I need to go back and reread Edge. Thank you for this lovely world!
Off point, but I was struck by how young you look in the draped shawl.
The purple one you are wearing is absolutely beautiful!
Maybe something like this hooded capelet? I thought one of your daughters might enjoy the finished project if it is not for you. This version is crocheted, and I enjoyed making it. A lot of people have made striped versions that look nice. I’m sure there will be equivalent knit versions (I don’t remember if you crochet).
https://ravel.me/hooded-capelet-4
I am not going to lie, I signed up for the MKAL after the first hint dropped and I didn’t love the look of it but bought it anyway. It might be why I haven’t cast on yet. But I did buy Miss Babs “True Love” which I LOVE, so I might be repurposing for another project. I am also going to go Ravelry spelunking to see what I find to suit it.
Do you ever make your own patterns? I got so frustrated looking for the perfect pattern to follow I finally just started doing my own! So much happier with knitting now. I make a test swatch for gauge in whatever size needles I have handy, then math my way into a pattern. Because as much as I love looking at everyone’s patterns…I just want to knit!
You could knit a second scarf and sew them together like a Clint-Eastwood-Poncho ????
Maybe this? https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inner-smile
I’m looking at her Circles of Light for myself (Kristina Vilimaite is the designer and I have a skein of Dream in Color Jilly lace)
Also have you seen the Kitties are Cute hat and cowl? Small projects like that are more my speed in colorwork
Whatever you pick, I hope it brings you happiness in the knitting and the wearing!
You said, above, that the new Graphic Audio rendition of “Sweep in Peace” is ready. I bought the first book and checked out the snippet for this one. I have to say that, while the Graphic Audio versions are fun, I truly hope that you don’t stop the standard audio versions with just one or two readers. After all these years of audio reading everything that you put in audio format I have my mind’s eye version of what you wrote. It is like reading a book and then going to watch a movie of it. Things jar because my imagination is being jammed into someone else’s reality. Please, please keep on making standard audio books. And, yes, I realize that you don’t actually make them, but you are at the bottom of the decisions.
Hi Lea,
The Graphic Audio books are a separate, non-competing project with the more “traditional” audiobooks and no intent has been expressed to replace them 🙂 .
If you haven’t found a knitting pattern you like yet, I found the Capriccio Shawl to be a delight to knit, big enough to wear comfortably, and a great way to use up various colors.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/capriccio-shawl-2
It isn’t double-sided, but the way it sits on your shoulders (almost like a cape) and overlaps means you don’t have to worry so much about wrong/right side. And it looks pretty good from both sides anyway.
Could you do something like sew a linen/silk backing onto it in a complimentary color?
I stumbled across this striking pattern that was found on Ravlry called Corrugated Shawl
by Cecelia Campochiaro, which was first produced on Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide number 5.
May I suggest that you look at JennyPenny’s patterns on Ravelry? Here is a link to a shawl she has done https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evenly-uneven and which I have knitted one of (am working on a second one). She also has lovely hats, sweaters and mittens, perhaps not for living in Texas, but others might be interested.
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennypenny?page=1
I just got my graphic audio for clean sweep. So excited!!! I may just forward to hear Orro. Lol
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post.
Okay. Question— is this a group knitting project where each person contributes a finished portion of an garment or quilt? If not, then I don’t see why you can’t alter it into something useful to you or whomever you are thinking about giving final knitted project to.
Enjoy knitting.
yes! shawls should look good on the reverse side, and be large enough to wrap comfortably around one’s shoulders!!
i support you finding another pattern. and i don’t have a suggestion for one off the top of my head, but perhaps a joji locatelli design (she has several large shawls with multiple colors), or a stephen west design (i KNOW he has lots of shawl/blanket designs) might work?
I just bought Sweep in Peach and pre-ordered One Fell Sweep; I’m so excited!
Sorry to hear about your MKAL woes, Ilona. Love the yarn colours you chose though. Ambah O’Brien (on Ravelry) has a MKAL beginning April 22nd, which might suit your colours – it’s called Ocean Moon MKAL. I have recently discovered Ambah’s patterns and one will be my next project! Here’s a link (if they’re allowed) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ocean-moon-mkal
Ps thank you for your work and books. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one. They are my favourite re-reads and some of the most valued books on my Kindle. Just, thank you so very much.
May I suggest taking a look at Paulina Popiolek’s work on Ravelry – I’ve made a couple of her patterns (one I even made twice(!) which I never do) and her mosaic knitting in particular works much better (in my experience) for shawls than stranded knitting – they block out much bigger. She doesn’t tend to use more than two colours, but you could probably incorporate stripes or colour blocking quite easily to use the yarn you have.
Ambah O’Brien is another one worth looking at – I’ve had her Inara and Lamina shawls in my queue for years and they are designed for use with multiple colours.
I’m always wary of MKALs ever since I saw the one that Stephen West did years ago that turned out to be, shall we say, a teeny bit anatomical? 😀 There were a lot of disappointed/disgruntled knitters taking part in that one! Although, speaking of Stephen West, his Daybreak shawl is an absolute classic for a reason – I love mine and still wear it all the time – again it is stripes rather than colourwork, though.
I am loving how responsive you are to your readers!!!
Please keep up the good work. I am so happy I found you and have been following/reading all of your story lines
Ps- a good story is always worth the wait…xoxoxo
I’m excited about the dramatization of Sweep in Peace. The Clean Sweep dramatization was so awesome! I’ll keep an eye out for it on Audible.
I just finished the Blaise Shawl by Ambah O’Brien. I mention it because it has a great slip stitch that looks amazing on the opposite side. I used three and a half colors and extended it by four sections (from 95 to 125 sts) to give it greater wrapability ???? I followed the gradient shawl breakdown…