almost there

almost there post image

I’m binding off on the last row of this shawl. (The pattern is Cloud Illusions.) Being that I’m on the last row, I should be close to the finish, but this shawl has a picot bind-off. For the non-knitters out there, that means that while binding the yarn off the needles in the last row, the knitter must also form those cute little pearl-like nubbins that dangle from the finished shawl. And each of those 244 nubbins requires casting on three stitches and immediately binding them off, in addition to binding off the already existing three stitches per nubbin. That takes longer than you might imagine. Other knitters on Ravelry have reported that this single row takes five to seven hours of knitting. I’m almost there.

But that’s not the project that’s really keeping me busy.

The big project is the release of my book, Workshops Work! A Parent’s Guide to Facilitating Writer’s Workshops for Kids. I’ve been busily formatting the print version of the book as well as the e-book, and designing the accompanying web pages. It’s been sort of like doing a picot bind-off on a shawl for a football field. The book’s launch day is next Monday, November 26. I’m giddy and panicking that I won’t get everything finished in time. But I will. And I hope you’ll come back to see that I do.

There will be book giveaways, and I’ll be sending out free chapter samples to Wonder Farm email subscribers. If that sounds tempting and you don’t subscribe already, you can do so by clicking here, or on the button in the upper right sidebar.

Catch you on the other side of the picots and the publishing.

 

8 comments… add one
  • Dawn Suzette Nov 19, 2012 @ 18:01

    It looks beautiful Patricia… I love the color too.
    So excited for you about the book. Picots & publishing… what a wonderful combination!

  • CathyT Nov 20, 2012 @ 11:27

    How exciting for you!! I love the shawl and I am sure your book will be a winner. I can’t wait to read it.

  • Jane Marsh Nov 20, 2012 @ 17:18

    Congratulations on the book, how exciting! I look forward to the subscriber previews! (I’m jealous of the knitting prowess: my little girl wants to learn to crochet, and I’ve finally decided I need to find her another mentor, because while I can *read* the books and *watch* the Youtube videos, when it comes to making that first little loop… I lack the wherewithal.)

    • patricia Nov 20, 2012 @ 20:44

      Thanks for the enthusiasm, Jane!

      It shouldn’t be too hard to find a crocheting mentor–there are so many around these days! In my homeschooling group, knitting and crocheting is contagious. More of us do it than don’t on Park Days! That’s what you need if the books and videos don’t help: some actual hands to demonstrate for you.

  • Heather Nov 21, 2012 @ 7:46

    How very exciting on both fronts. Nerve racking too. The shawl is gorgeous and the color has such depth. I am eager for your book. I tell many of your blogging genius. I could use some ideas for a writer’s lab as it is something I would like to start.

    • patricia Nov 26, 2012 @ 6:41

      Thanks for the thoughtful words, Heather! I don’t think anyone has ever described what I do as “blogging genius”. That’s a compliment to file away in my pocket. 🙂

      If you have an inkling to start a writer’s lab, then my book is for you! I hope you do start one up, and that you’ll let me know how it goes.

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