Fiction and Non-Fiction

I have many new followers, Hi Followers! So, for you who are new to GoCrochet... I also love reading. But since I want this blog to be at least 98% crochet, I put a bunch of books in one post once every six weeks or so, so that I don't drag them out taking up precious crochet content time. Here's what I've been reading:

I just finished reading The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein. Mr. Bernstein was 96 when he wrote this book, a memoir of his childhood in post-WW1 London. He lived on a segregated street, on one side Christians and on the other side, Jews. The story feels like fiction. It has all the drama and intrigue of fiction. It has colorful interesting characters. I very much enjoyed the story which centered around his older sister, who began a friendship with a Christian boy. All the people, family, neighbors, revolved around this taboo relationship. A very, very good read.

It makes me wonder, though... about the definition of a memoir. I do not at all suspect Mr. Bernstein of embellishing or fictionalizing his story. But when you are remembering back 75-80 years, I wonder how much he had to trust he feelings about the situation when he perhaps didn't remember a detail or two?

It makes me think of that author who said he wrote a true story and was interviewed on Oprah and then later it came out that he "embellished" a little. Everyone's reality is different. How real is a memoir? 100% fact? 50% fact and 50% fiction? 10% fact and 90% fiction? Just wondering.

Before I go on, let me tell you a little about how I choose books. Many times, I just take one off the stack at our County Library. They make a "monthly selection" and I often take one regardless of what it's about so that I can "expand my horizons" and attempt to read something of value. Also, our branch library chooses a monthly selection for their book club. I often grab one of those too. I don't ever get to the discussion group, but I enjoy chatting about the book with the branch librarian who runs the group. (Hi Monica!) Sometimes, I pick books that friends have recommended. Sometimes, I just pick a random book off the shelf that catches my attention. As a last resort, I grab a book from a popular fiction best-selling writer, knowing that I'll be entertained but that I won't likely be "expanding my horizons".

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
This one was a monthly selection by the County library. It seems that the older I get, the more likely I am to abandon a book part-way through. As my other librarian friend tells me (and Zoe's mom) that there are too many other good books out there to waste time on one you don't like. I read about 75 pages of this one. It is (so far) about the differences between the Mormon Church of the Latter Day Saints and the Fundamentalists Mormons who, in some cases, practice polygamy. Also there is some discussion in the book about the abuses that have occurred.

Suddenly, I was thrown back to Freshman (in college) Spoken Word class (speech). We learned that every speech has a purpose, to entertain, instruct, or persuade. (and sometimes more than one of these). While reading this book, I began to wonder about the author's purpose. Is he trying to instruct or persuade? This question bothered me enough and he failed to entertain enough, that I gave up.

The Sisterhood by Michael Palmer
I listened to this one on audiobook and was very entertained. Not only was I curious how it was going to turn out, this medical mystery/drama, but it didn't kill me emotionally, which is nice. It's ok if a book tugs at my heartstrings, but I don't like to read book after book that makes me sob. This one was good. It is about a surgeon who had a tragic past trying to resurrect his career. Simultaneously, there is a secret society of nurses who believe in euthanasia that interferes with the surgeon's livelihood. Again, at the same time, a few other mysterious deaths occur. Are they a result of the doctor's incompetence, are they the work of the Sisterhood of nurses? or are they the work of someone else... duh, duh, dum (dramatic music).

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
Wow. I just closed this one. In usual Jodi Picoult style (consider "Her Sister's Keeper") this book pushes and prods the gray areas of ethics in our lives. This story is about a little girl with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease). The family all wrestle with the contradiction between loving this unique child and coping the with the extra difficult circumstances her disease creates. At some point a "wrongful birth" lawsuit is filed. Every nuance of this difficult topic is probed. I won't give away the ending, but Wow. It was a very good book, but I don't know if I want to read more of Ms. Picoult's heart wrenching exploration of human ethics.

A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber
A sweet story with a wink and a nudge to the Original Christmas story. A cute, quick, easy read. Few pages, big type. Still, it's a little disturbing the main character, MaryJo, being loosely compared to the Virgin Mary. MaryJo, who had a child out of wedlock under less than pure circumstances... but if you can put that aside, it was ok.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne DuMaurier
The first several pages were so frightening that I almost didn't continue. Not frightening in the slasher movie sense, but frightening in the chilling reality of how a villain could be in the real world, how a villain could be in a family. Set in the moody moors of England in the winter, main character, Mary, is forced to join distant family and keep a promise. She soon finds that the promise to live with them was a promise that she made in haste without knowing what she was getting herself into. It reminded me of the movie "Cape Fear" that same kind of creepy, icky scary. I finished the book. It was good, I find though, that I get impatient with too much description and finding myself wanting to skip to the dialogue. DuMaurier also wrote the epic Rebecca, which I think I have read, but I can't remember at all.

Up next, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Yarn Sale Monday, Week 2

It's Yarn Sale Monday again! Look at what terrific goodies I have to offer this week! Please read last week's post for all the specifics on how to buy, find it all here.

#1 above Nashua Creative Focus Worsted Weight yarn in Blue Pine (CFW1450). Here is the Nashua page. It is 75% wool, 25% alpaca, 100g/3.5 oz and 220 yds/200m. It retails for $8.81 at Royal Yarns. Your price for 8 balls is $55.00

#2, #3 and #4, Bernat Satin, Yarndex page is here. I have 4 in red (rouge), 3 in green (fern) and 6 in blue (sapphire). They retail for $2.29 a ball. Your price for the 4 red is $8.00; Your price for the 3 green is $6.00, your price of the 6 blue is $12.00. If you want ALL 13 skeins, your total price is $25.00.



#5 and #6 Cascade Fixation in 4 balls of Hot Pink and 7 balls Navy Blue. here is the Yarndex page. It's cotton/polyester. It's very stretchy and is known for it's stretch. It's DK weight and retails for $4.60 a ball. Your price for 4 balls of Hot Pink is $15.00; your price for the 7 balls of Navy blue is $20.00. Want them all? All 11 balls together, your price is $30.00.

Two Hooks Blanket PDF

The Two Hooks Blanket PDF is now available! This classic blanket is so big and squishy, you'll love it! Some rounds are made with one strand and a smallish hook and some rounds are made with two strands and a larger hook. These mega motifs would also make a great pillow. The squares are 11", so with some minor adjustments this could be a great pattern for a 12" block exchange or charity project.


$4.00 USD

Sneak Peek

Hmm, a twisted, shelly thing it is... keep right on guessing... LOL.

Showstopper conversation an update...

You remember my previous posts on how to push a design from fine to GREAT. I think that I need to add one. A great EDGING can push a design from fine to Showstopping! Read the previous discussion here and here.

I'm having a hard time finding examples, maybe I should re-think this? Any nominations?

Speaking of Nominations, the CLF (Crochet Liberation Front) group on Ravelry is taking nominations for the 2010 Flamie awards for crochet blogs, books, projects, designers, hooks, yarns, etc. If you are a Raveler, get on over there and nominate!

Yesterday I finished the first "draft" of a little purse. I call it a 'draft" because I need to re-do it! If it had turned out great it wouldn't be a 'draft'. I'm calling it the 'amoeba' purse, and one day I might show it to you as an example of how crochet evolves (I hope!)

Thanks all for those purchasing yarn and purchasing the 50% off Mini Felted tote and tutorial. The Blue Sky Alpacas is in process of purchase and the Simply Soft in yellow is purchased.

Above, is me with our newest Nephew. Last week, they were in town from Florida. This little guy and his two older brothers. In the photo, I'm wearing the skinny version of the Tunisian Scarf from Inside Crochet #5.

Yarn Sale Monday! (I'm a day late!)

Are you ready for a STASHDOWN?

Every Monday, I'm going to post photos of yarn and some prices and shipping cost information. If you buy more than one, you only pay shipping once. I'm only taking Paypal. First come, first served. Continental USA residents only. To purchase, email me with your shipping address at:

Ellen @ GoCrochet dot come (take out the spaces, put a . in place of the word dot). The one with the earliest time stamp will get it. I'll give you instructions on making a Paypal payment (you will need to have a Paypal account already). I'll ship on Friday.

The following Monday will be a "last call" reminder for anything that didn't sell the previous week and new yarns.

If a yarn doesn't sell by the second week, I'm going to list it on Ebay. Any questions?

Let's get started... the goodies for week 1 of Yarn sale Monday are:1. Above, Bernat Baby Jacquards, Here's the Yarndex information on it. 1 ball, 3.5 oz/100g 316m/346yds, color: Spearmint Candy #06230 90% acrylic, 10% nylon. It retails for $4.99. Including shipping, your total price is $4.90


2. Caron Simply Soft, log of 6 (you can do alot with 6!) in Sunshine 9945, Acrylic, 7 oz, 198g, 366 yds/344 m, retails for $3.49 per skein. Your total price including shipping is: $13.00.
3. Luscious, by Kollage yarns, here's the Yarndex page, it's color: Rusty, 63% cotton, 37% nylon elastic, 185yds/ 55g, DK weight, retails for $11.55 per hank, your total price including shipping is: $8.00
4. Luscious, by Kollage yarns, here's the Yarndex page, it's color: Sea, 63% cotton, 37% nylon elastic, 185yds/ 55g, DK weight, retails for $11.55 per hank, your total price including shipping is: $8.00

#5 Bernat Roving, in Cranberry #67, Bulky #5, 3.5 oz, 100g, 109m/120yds, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, here's the Bernat details page retails for $4.99, your total, including shipping is $4.90

#6 Above, Bernat Baby Jacquards, Here's the Yarndex information on it. 1 ball, 3.5 oz/100g 316m/346yds, color: Strawberry Jam #06230 90% acrylic, 10% nylon. It retails for $4.99. Including shipping, your total price is $4.90

#7, Cascade Yarns, Heritage Sock yarn, 1 hank, 75% Merino Superwash, 25% Nylong, 3.5 oz, 100g; 437yds/400m, Details page is here, retails for $12.00 (source: YarnCountry.com). Your total price including shipping is $10.00.

#8 Bernat Alpaca, Yarndex details here, color: Peony #93420, 3.5 oz, 100g, 110m/120yds, 70% acrylic, 30% alpaca, #5 Bulky, retails for $4.99, your total price including shipping is: $4.90


#9 2 hanks of Blue Sky Alpacas sportweight in Avocado #520, 50g, 110yds/100m, 100% baby alpaca, Retails for $9.00 each (source Purl Soho), your total price including shipping is....$12.00

SURPRISE SALE

The Felting Tote and Tutorial PDF is now on sale for $5.00! Original price is $10.00

I don't know when I'm going to end the sale,
get the PDF now!

Yarn Weight Question

Debra writes:
Can you direct me to a place where yarn weights are explained? I understand sock (;-) but DK, aran, etc… have me stumped. Also, it would be nice if examples were given name brands or?
Any help is appreciated.
~Debra

Hi Debra,

I'm still confused on some of them. Sometimes I think, by feel, a yarn is a 3, but a company calls it a 4. Anyway, here are two links that will help. First, CYCA yarn standards is what all the US yarn companies are supposed to be following. It's a great go-to site for hooks/needles, garment sizing and yarn sizing information. Look on the left bar of the page for "yarn weights".

The second site is Yarndex. You can ask it to search yarns by weight and it will list them. It's great for finding comparable yarns.

Still, there is no substitution for swatching. Even different colors within the same yarn might swatch up a little differently. Hope that helps!

Above, is some pretty Avocado Sportweight Alpaca by Blue Sky Alpacas. I'm going to be thinning my stash about starting tomorrow. This lovely duo will be part of the stock reduction sale.

Thank you!

Thanks everyone! All the kind comments are so motivating and inspiring to me. Flattery will get you everywhere... I think to thank you, I'm going to organize a Valentine's Day giveaway! Stay tuned.

Pixie Dress behind-the-scenes

Above is one of the original sketches for the Pixie dress that will be in the new issue of Crochet Today magazine, March/April 2010.