Knitting socks (which actually fit)

Yesterday I picked up my knitting and started a new sock. It’s for a friend from yarn they bought. I have their foot measurements already, so I did a gauge swatch (I know, shocking for me!) and figured out the maths of the whole thing. This is much, much more organised than I usually am in sock knitting, but there’s a reason for it: if I’ve worked it out right, they’ll actually fit my friend.

In the past I’ve been lax about this, bizarrely. I’m a bit of a lax person when it comes to fine details anyway, so it’s not a shock that it transferred over to my knitting. Relaxed, that’s what I am. That sounds a lot better than ‘absent-minded and all over the place’. Sometimes I’ve knitted socks that barely fit my foot and are too loose around the leg, but I don’t care. I kept them, I wear them. I’m stubborn that way, and I still love my creations.

However, it is possible to make socks that actually fit, and I learnt that last year.

I think I mentioned that my friend and I went to a class with Kate Atherley at The Purple Purl. We turned up late because Toronto traffic is evil but even in that time we learnt so much.

Kate Atherley has very strong feelings on socks. I respect that. She showed us how to measure our feet and what gauge to aim for and what yarn is best for socks. By the end of the night I was so inspired by the awesomeness that is knitting and maths that I went out and designed my own shawl – not sure how that is what my brain took out of it, but you can’t account for the little grey cells.

If you want to learn about this magic and set your knitting brain aflame, you should check out Kate Atherley’s book Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet. No, this is not a sponsored post; I do not yet even own this book, though it’s on my wishlist and one day I shall have it, it shall be mine, my precioussss. However, I’ve had enough looks at it to know that it’s incredibly useful.

Even better, it’s logical thinking that’s tricked my illogical mind into actually planning ahead when knitting something. Sometimes. Okay, occasionally at best, but it’s a start.

Do you use unmodified patterns for socks or do you do your own thing to make it fit perfectly?

What are you reading?

This year I set myself a goal to read 75 books. Last year my goal was 50 and I ended at 61, so I figured 75 was reachable. It’s easy to track through Goodreads, so I signed up.

(My challenge is here. I’m not 100% sure that link will take you to it, but let’s hope. If not, search for Polo Lonergan and add me. I’ll steal all your books. I mean… take your recommendations…)

Why did I do it? It’s crazy, right? I should read as much as I want to feel like I’m reading enough. It shouldn’t be a chore. Thing is, even with a challenge like this, nothing about it feels forced. It is a way to remind myself how many good books are out there and how much time I have in between things where I can pick up a good book and enjoy it.

I get a bus to work and home again in the evening. That’s 45 minutes right there altogether. I have an hour’s worth of breaks at work, though I can’t always spend it reading. Sometimes I can, and this challenge makes me want to do so.

It also gives me an excuse to run a hot bubble bath once a week or so and enjoy without guilt, which is something that stops me doing a lot of relaxing, pointless activities. I’m not very good at stopping without worrying about what I should be doing, but reading with a point makes me feel justified. It’s the same reason I knit so much to relax. I can be productive and unproductive all at once.

On top of all of those excellent reasons to do this challenge, I also find I actively seek out new books far more than I was doing before. I would wait for books to fall into my lap. I wouldn’t ask people what they were reading unless it came up naturally in conversation. Now I’m aggressive about it. TELL ME YOUR BOOKS, STRANGER. I NEED NEW ONES.

As it stands I am on my 54th book of the year. That’s 2 ahead of schedule (thank you Goodreads). So I’m going to get aggressive with you guys.

What books are you reading? Why should I read it too? Do you have a challenge you like to follow like this one?

KN Reads: Style by Chelsea M. Cameron

Someone on Twitter mentioned this book in passing in a conversation that was nothing to do with me, but it looked intriguing enough for me to buy for my kindle right away. Since I was in the market for a sweet, fluffy queer romance anyway, I figured Style by Chelsea M. Cameron would do the trick.

A summary: Kyle (a young woman) and Stella (also a young woman) have been at school together for a while without noticing one another much. They’re paired together in a school project despite being apparent opposites: Stella is an ice-cold snow queen, while Kyle is your average awkward friendly nerd. Unsurprisingly – since this is a romance and all – they end up together despite their better judgment.

Now, Chelsea M. Cameron has written a lot of books. A lot of them. I haven’t read any except this one, but I gather she has some loyal fans in the romance world. She is also (as per her Twitter) super adorable and friendly so I can see why.

This book came at the right time for me. Like its author, Style is adorable. It’s fluffy and almost irredeemably sweet. In the aftermath of a horrifying month for queer people, is it any surprise that I felt the need to dive into something so light? It was a great balm for the darkness.

That said: while I recommend this book to anyone looking for something insubstantial and distracting, don’t go in it looking for some in-depth character development or complex plots. Nothing much goes wrong for these two (which was perfect for my mood), and at times I struggled to remember which character was which since they are remarkably similar to one another.

Despite that, the book flows nicely and it’s an easy read. Sometimes you need style over substance, and this time it’s all in the title.

For the Love of a Book

I’ve probably told you this before but when I was a child, I hugged books in bed. I had my teddy, sure, but the books had an important place in my life and that has never changed.

My Dad can take the blame. When I moved in with him it was a struggle to navigate the narrow hallway between all the bookcases and piles of books that didn’t fit on the many bookcases. When I was a child and I lived with my Mum, Dad used to take me out to the fancy bookshop in Dorchester (well, it seemed fancy then) or to the second-hand and antique bookshop in Weymouth to treat me to whatever I felt like reading.

When I was ten he took me to buy a new book that everyone was talking about called ‘Harry Potter’.

“Harry Potter English Australian Series” by B.Davis2003 – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

I was not convinced. Standing at the bus stop by the brewery with my head between the pages, I emerged when the bus arrived and complained that the title was very misleading; the first few pages had been about some baby called Dudley. Yet Dad insisted I would like it so I kept going, leading to a cascading series of events that resulted in a completely ruined 11th birthday where I did not, through some administrative error, receive an owl inviting me to Hogwarts.

Anyway.

I grew up with Harry Potter. I was the same age as him until the last few books thanks to the occasional delay. When the final book came out I quit my crappy cleaning job because they wouldn’t give me the morning off, read the whole book in one sitting, and then… never picked it up again.

About three weeks ago the craving came. Yes, it took years, but since that day I’ve read nearly all of the series. I’m near the end of Half-Blood Prince and enjoying myself more than I remember. I love those characters and the world they inhabit. I love J. K. Rowling for writing a book that helped me shape my understanding of the world and the people around me.

Maybe I should knit myself a Ravenclaw scarf.

This is mostly a post to say that books are a huge part of my life and they will be a bigger part of this blog from now on. I’ve been reviewing Advanced Review Copies of books for a while and this blog will be my platform. I read a lot, but at most I’ll post a review once a week.

Consider that forewarning while I go find myself the yarn to cast on a Ravenclaw thingy.

Review of Romy by Nirina Stone

ROMY: Book 1 of the 2250 Saga by Nirina Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was provided for free via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

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Romy is a dystopian drama along the lines of Hunger Games, though the stories are very different. Romy follows the main character, Romy Fifty-Two, along her life as a prisoner until she is auctioned off to the highest bidder. The last thing she wants is to end up sold to a Soren terrorist and used as a baby-making machine, yet what happens to her is far more complicated than that.

Nirina Stone crafts a believable world where the richest survived by climbing into their literal towers, while the other Citizens climbed beneath the ground. Then there are the Sorens, the mysterious terrorists revered and despised by the others who bomb clothing factories and kidnap indentured Citizens.

The titular character is a pleasure to follow, at least for the first half of the book. She is smart and adaptable despite her heart condition and she always fights when she is cornered rather than backing down. She is inquisitive and sharp with an interest in robotics and though she can be arrogant, she is open to change.

If we’re going down the comparisons to Katniss Everdeen road, Romy is a slightly less fleshed out version of her. She does take a more active role in her liberation than Katniss did; she does not need to come out kicking and screaming. Yet there’s a darkness to Romy that you don’t see as much elsewhere.

Though I enjoyed this relatively short book and swallowed it down in just a couple of days, I was less than enamoured with the last quarter of the story. It seemed to become unfocused and though the progress was rapid, it did not make me feel invested in any of the characters; not even Romy towards the end. It touched on some interesting philosophical and ethical concepts and then abandoned them at the last minute, leaving me unfulfilled.

If you are looking for a quick and pleasant read with a believable world this summer you should check out Romy by Nirina Stone, but don’t expect to be swept off your feet. As it’s the first in a series I remain hopeful the story will flesh out further as time goes on.

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Book Review: The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an advanced copy from Net Galley.

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It is a certain kind of irony to enjoy books about books. The cover of The Book of Speculation promises a plot involving some form of antique book, or at least some form of book-based adoration. Based on the cover alone you might think this is a story about the love of books along the lines of A Shadow of the Wind.

Don’t judge this book by its cover: it is so much more.

The Book of Speculation opens with the arrival of a priceless antique book. Simon, a librarian whose house is at risk of crumbling into the sea, discovers the book was sent to him from one Mr. Churchwarry after buying it in an auction. It seems there is some link to Simon’s family in the archaic book and Simon, ever the librarian, begins to research it.

If this had been a tale of a family line told through this unusual book, that would have been interesting enough. But Erika Swyler delivers a gorgeous and melancholy story of travelling carnivals, mermaid women who hold their breath for minutes at a time, and mute Wild Boys. Simon dives into this world and discovers a troubling coincidence: a long line women in his family die on July 24th, and they all drown. So when his errant sister announces that she’s coming home for the first time in years at the beginning of the fateful month, Simon believes he must protect her from the same disturbing end.

The quietness of this novel is beautiful. It starts slowly without being dull and rises like a flash flood to a stunning conclusion. If I had the time I would have swallowed this book whole in one sitting, dragged forward by the magnetic cast of characters and the promise of intertwining lines across generations.

I’ll admit I’m biased; The Book of Speculation was written for me. Not literally, although when I realised it was the tale of coast-dwelling book lovers I did wonder. Though I live inland now I grew up metres from the edge of a cliff surrounded by a room full of books with sea spray hitting my bedroom window. I will hold a fascination with it for the rest of my life and that love and occasional horror distilled into a pure form in this book.

Giving a book a five star review often makes me uncomfortable but I have no doubt that The Book of Speculation deserves it. Not only are the characters real and vivid, the story twists and turns in a quiet and effortless way and the ending does not disappoint. It is all I can do not to start it again straight away. Give the book a try when it comes out on June 23rd; it is worth the time.

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Review: Paladin by Sally Slater

Paladin by Sally Slater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There’s something different about Sam of Haywood, trainee to the Paladins. Though as brash and skilled as the rest of the recruits, Sam has a secret. She is the daughter of a Duke determined to make her way as a warrior in a world full of demons.

The book opens on a tragedy which scars Sam for the rest of the story and spurs her to action. She is to be trained by Paladin Lyons alongside another recruit, a half-demon named Braedon. Sent out of the camp on a new mission, they bond and grow stronger on their journey.

Sam is one of those rare characters who knows her own mind and won’t back down, not ever, not even when it’s in her best interests. There is always the risk with gender-bending stories like this that the woman will give in after the battle is over and go back to being a wife or a girlfriend or something other than herself, defined by her relationship with men. Yet although many of the characters of this story are men, Sam is not defined by them. Even romance does not make her lose her independence.

There’s a thousand things I enjoyed about this book. It was an easy read and addictive too. I could not wait to find out what happened next and though there was one particular plot point that was obvious long before it twisted, there were satisfying and unexpected ones along the way.

The best thing about this is book is the way the relationships are handled. Without giving too much away, Sam gets entangled with someone who could do her harm and yet it reads more like a Black-Widow-and-Hulk than your generic Twilight romance. Yes, there’s a risk involved, but Sam can handle herself and makes sure everyone knows it. A lot.

Sam of Haywood deserves a place in the zeitgeist as one of the best characters around. The only reason I haven’t rated this as five stars is because the ending drags its feet too much but it didn’t take away from the quality of the story as a whole.

If you’re a fan of well-written and fun fantasy books with believable and interesting characters, give Paladin a try.

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Terry Pratchett.

Today I bought Men at Arms which has always been one of my favourite Terry Pratchett novels. Previously I didn’t need to buy my own copies because I used the Library of Dad – it was one of the things we bonded over and how he began to realise I’m a complete nerd. Terry Pratchett’s books have brought me so much joy over the years.

I am so, so sad to hear he died today.

It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It’s called living. – Terry Pratchett

There is nothing out there remotely like the Discworld novels but that was not all Pratchett brought us. I remember the day Dad came in with two hardback copies of Nation – it was released on my birthday so he took it as a sign I needed my own copy. I remember watching Pratchett’s touching talk on euthanasia, something that was close to his heart thanks to early onset Alzheimers.

Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. – Terry Pratchett

My heart hurts for the loss of this man and I’m not usually the kind to get upset about ‘celebrity’ deaths. I’ve never met them, after all.

But Terry Pratchett was such a huge part of my formative years and I will always carry his (ridiculous and surreal but always poignant) words in my mind.

From Terry Pratchett’s own Twitter…

The End.

— Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015

Go Read It: City of Stairs by Robert J. Bennett

I’m not sure why this book was on my Kindle. Perhaps it was fate. Perhaps my Kindle decided it was bored of my Jane Austen kick. Whatever the reason, I bought City of Stairs at some point and then began reading it on the bus to work.

It would have been easy to miss my stop that day and every other day I’ve read this book. I would refer to it as a true page-turner if I was not reading it on a screen. With a grand host of intricate and interesting characters in an intricate and interesting world, there is so much to this book I don’t know where to start.

The city of Bulikov once wielded the powers of the gods to conquer the world, enslaving and brutalizing millions—until its divine protectors were killed. Now Bulikov has become just another colonial outpost of the world’s new geopolitical power, but the surreal landscape of the city itself—first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it—stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy.

Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov’s oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country’s most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem—and that Bulikov’s cruel reign may not yet be over.

If that doesn’t whet your appetite I don’t know what will.

One of the best things about this book is that it defies traditional genre tropes. It is high fantasy but it is not elves and swords and thinly-veiled metaphors for Medieval European politics. It has an element of romance but it is far from the point and neither character is suited for the situation in any case. It is a book of spies and intrigue without the predictability. It has kings and Gods and terrifying sea creatures.

None of that is what I liked best about this book. The best part for me was the relatability of the characters. They are not tired old copies of characters before them. They are bright and intriguing people with flaws as high as the sky and from the first page I couldn’t get enough of them.

I gave a physical copy of this book to my girlfriend for Christmas because I know she’ll love it as much as I do. I’m fairly sure most of you will too if you give it a try.

Vintage Knitting Magazines Amuse Me

Knitting is such an old tradition it would be strange, nay, insane not to dip one’s toe into the history of it. Especially if you are a bit of a nerd. Sometimes I read up on the ancient history of it; I enjoy feeling like the latest knit stitch in the vast fabric of life. Today though I’ve been reading a little closer to home.

You see, my good friend Frankie gave me some vintage Vogue Knitting Books. I’m not sure when they’re from but the prices are displayed in shillings and pence, so it’s been a while. At

first glance, I’d say sixties at the very latest but probably earlier. So far I can’t find a single date anywhere in the rather tattered and well-loved magazines. Laziness stops me from trying too hard.

Who needs to be precise when they’re full of amazing gems of a time gone by? I’m not even talking about the knitting patterns which are generally quite shapeless and stiff-looking. No, I’m talking about the adverts. The awkwardly posing women with heavily-lined eyes and bright red lips looking vaguely amused at the cameras. Serious-looking men with big watches. Some of them have cigarettes. Even more astoundingly, some of the women have wrinkles.

The adverts are usually quite wordy and laced through with rather forceful heterosexuality. Take a gander at this example, shown below a jaunty couple sporting rather ugly jumpers (sweaters for you North Americans):

“Here’s Wendy M1 the super-speed quality that beats everything in sheer speed and ease of knitting . . . a superb pure wool that’s new, modern and exciting to use as the new M1 Motor-way itself.
In a couple of evenings you can now knit this glorious, open air sweater which is all the vogue for outdoor occasions – and has a carefree fascination for chilly days within. Chunky. Bulky. Deliciously warm. Knit it in that special colour he loves to see you wearing. And what better than to knit him one too!”

And it’s only 8d post free!

That was from the 59th in the series. I have another one that’s much earlier – 37th. Some of the designs are quite pleasant in an angular sort of way. Obviously this edition was published before the prohibition of visible waistlines.

Most of the adverts are illustrations rather than photographs. One picture has an impossibly thin woman reclining over a slightly nonsensical attempt at literary seduction:

“On being Sophisticated.
An obvious but unaffected air of quality with a nonchalant acceptance of current fashion lines is essential.
The unselfconscious air of quality in Marriner’s Heritage wool places it way up top and the latest fashion trends in Marriner leaflet design show the way to sophistication.”

Perhaps they were hoping to stun their audience with the sparkling (and repetitive) vocabulary so that they don’t notice the complete lack of substance. Which, to be fair, is the general idea of most advertising.

One column advises customers to enquire to “J. & W. Bastard Ltd. at Frog Island Mills”. Teehee.

BREAKING NEWS! I found a date as I was scanning the tiny print for more hilarity. The 37th is from 1950. That’s the earliest I have. The others are the ccc45th, 51th and 59th. By flicking through the magazines you can see time ambling casually by. Restrictive women’s underwear slowly disappears, abandoning the defined waist somewhere in the 51st edition. There are fewer ads for baby-related products the further you step into the latter half of the twentieth century. Nylon is introduced to wool and they hit it off right away, embarking on a glorious and long-lasting romance that ends in fabulously wearable sock yarn. Everyone faints as machine knitting becomes popular, a sure sign that we’ll be living on the moon a few years later.

And, over half a century later, I get to sit here (on Earth, since there’s no yarn on the moon) giggling and sharing it with you.