Fermentation, Vikings, and a Sweater

Since getting back to knitting after my long hiatus, I have cast on what purportedly will turn into a baby sweater.  I have been meaning to knit a Baby Surprise Jacket since before Lily was born.  I actually was talking to a friend to help me make sense of the pattern a couple of hours before I went into labor with Lily.  Not so surprisingly, I never made one for Liliana.  This sweater, provided that it doesn't turn out to be a failed attempt, will be going to my newest nephew.  Unlike the name of the sweater, it is not intended to be a surprise that I am knitting it.  After knitting baby blankets for his older siblings, I decided to deviate from tradition.  So far, the pattern is fairly easy almost to the point of being boring as it is all in garter stitch with 2 double decreases every other row.  I really like what it is supposed to look like when it is done though. I have started a search for the buttons for the finished product.  I am thinking wooden ones, but I am still not sure.

Aside from my knitting, I have been reading a lot.  I finished reading Enchantment earlier this week and found it to be both charming and well crafted.  I have now moved onto reading The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz.  I had been stalking amazon for a reasonably priced copy for well over a month and was very pleased to come across one last week.  I already am enjoying the writing and I am looking forward to putting some of what I learn to practice.

Little Ish and I are currently enjoying a longer read aloud together.  This week he pulled Voyage with the Vikings off of the bookshelf and asked me to read it to him.  The book is historical fiction and is part of the Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station series.  So far we are really enjoying it.  I am not sure how much he is retaining of it from day to day, but since he wants me to keep reading, I figure he must be following it somewhat. I think after this book we might move onto something a little more classic though such as Winnie-the-Pooh.

To hear about other reading and knitting adventures, feel free to visit Ginny over at Small Things .