Yarn Along...Tiny Tea Leaves cont'd.

I'm still working on my Tiny Tea Leaves sweater for Faith. Just this morning she asked me if it was finished yet and I replied, "It's not exactly sweater weather." She said, "I know, I just wanted to know if it was finished." She must have plans, because Faith always has a purpose when she inquires anything. It has been cooler than normal, so maybe she thinks it will get some wear before October.

I'm in the home stretch as I am about a quarter of the way finished with the second sleeve. I must confess, I have real problems with the first and last picked up stitches at the armholes. They never really look secure and I always worry that they will come loose and leave a big gap. Any suggestions from more experienced sweater knitters?

I am listening to Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra. It is the shocking and true story of the author's life in and out of foster homes in Suffolk County New York and the life in between foster homes with her abusive and extraordinarily neglectful mother. The author tells how she grew up at a very young age, not only by witnessing her mother's sinful and hateful behavior, but by being left to mother her younger siblings at an age when she could barely take care of herself. It is so very sad, and appalling to know that this sort of neglect, both by a mother, and a government child care system takes place in this country. While it did happen several decades ago, I'm sure it still happens in many places and to many, many children.

I gave up on listening to  Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott. Some books are just better read than listened to, and that is one. I haven't finished reading  Second Nature by Jacquelyn Mitchard yet. A dozen pages a night makes for slow going. My eyes just won't stay open for more than that. 

I need to start looking for another project when I finish the sweater, but in the meantime I have an order of six scapulars to sew and have delivered by July 15, so I best go get sewing.



While I was outside taking photos of the sweater, I couldn't resist getting a picture of my praying angel. She looks so sweet among the green and red foliage.

Check out Ginny's post for some more knitting projects and some summer reading!