The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
By Tiffany Baker

Tiffany Baker’s captivating debut novel, The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, is a charming look at how a truly unique character learns to accept herself despite having all odds against her. Despite some shortcomings, Baker manages to engage her readers through dazzling and well-crafted prose.

The unlikely heroine of Baker’s story, Truly Plaice, is far from average. Even before her birth, Truly was larger than life. After seeing her mother’s enormous and ever-expanding pregnant belly, townsfolk placed bets on just how big the baby would be—a baby they were sure would be a boy. They imagined him being the star quarterback of the town’s team.

No one was prepared for the gravity of the situation, least of all Truly’s mother and the town doctor who could not save her during childbirth. When Truly was born a girl, enormous in size, the town residents were disgusted. But her troubles would only grow larger, because Truly herself would never stop growing. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County follows Truly from her birth through adulthood, telling the story of how this peculiar character grew into her own person in a town that would never accept her differences…

Read the rest here, if you’re so inclined.

My current project is a cabled hat for my brother – a Christmas present. Many months ago, when we were going through some of my grandmother’s old things, he came across a knitted cabled hat (bought from a store) that he loved. Except it was in a girly blue-green color. He off-handedly mentioned that he wanted me to knit him one in a more masculine color. He’s probably forgotten about that, but I haven’t.

I’ll finish this tonight or tomorrow and keep it under wraps until Christmas. That is, if I can tear it away from the cat.

Blick really liked this hat wip for some reason. He usually isn’t attracted to my knitting, but maybe it’s because he has higher standards than the other cats. This does have cashmere in it (Rowan Cashsoft).

Luckily Matt has cats too, so he won’t be put off if there are some stray cat hairs left on the final product.

The baby blanket I was commissioned to knit is finished, and I’m very happy with the results. The lace border was so fun to knit and makes the blanket just gorgeous. It really looks special. Now I am a weirdo who actually sometimes enjoys seaming (I find it meditative somehow) so I knit the border separately and then mattress stitched that sucker on. I gave it a final block, tried shaking out as much cat hair as possible (unavoidable if you live with a herd, like me), and wrapped it up for the customer.

Yes, customer. I’ve never sold a piece of my knitting before, so this was kind of exciting…and uncomfortable. I had no idea what to charge, so I left it up to her. I was perfectly ok with doing it ‘pro bono’ so to say, or maybe for a homemade meal (she’s a great cook), but she wasn’t having it. In the end, I think both parties are very happy with the transaction. I made a sale That’s so neat to say!

A coworker of mine asked me to knit a baby blanket for her friend who is expecting. She didn’t have a pattern in mind, but had a few specifications: thinner weight yarn, acryllic, white. Her mother used to crochet baby blankets, so I figured I would do something similar, except with knitting. I decided on a basic garter stitch square with a lacey border – often like what you’d see in crochet.

The garter middle was a bit tedious and I kept fretting that it would be too small (I’ve never done a baby blanket before). This would fly on bigger needles and worsted or heavy yarn, but I’m using size 6 and DK. I finally finished the square a few days ago, and will start on the lace quite soon.

I wasn’t sure about the yarn choice at first (I rarely use acrylic) but it turned out being quite soft and squishy, and looks even better now that it’s blocked. Now, onto the lace…

This scarf (Branching Out) took me a very long time to knit, only because I would do a few repeats and put it down for a few…months. Lol. I will say, it wasn’t a very “fun” knit – it took far too much concentration for me, a knitter who likes to multi-task and watch DVDs or listen to audio books whilst crafting. However, I did learn some new skills and techniques (including the lace essential – life lines) so it wasn’t a total bust. Also, I love the finished product. Blocking sure does make a difference in lace and I couldn’t believe how beautiful the scarf looked after a night of blocking.

It’s a little on the short side – but then again so am I – but I just had to just finish it already. It was a great feeling getting it off the needles finally. And it is quite pretty in person. I’m glad I tackled this lace project, but I don’t think I’ll be making one of these again – at least not any time soon.

I am truly pleased with my finished Jaywalkers. The yarn is so bright and colorful, and it was a real treat to watch the colors unfold as I was knitting. The pattern itself was awesome – very well written, easy enough for novice sock knitters, and a great end result. Can you tell I loved this project?! It was a breeze and went fairly quick. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Such vibrant colors!

This little tee only took a week to knit up (and I’m a slow knitter). The lace panel at the top was really fun and also quite easy (a good combination, in my book). The top rolls over a bit, so I might do a crocheted edge to fix it, or I might not. Haven’t decided.

Unfortunately the shirt is a little bit big (wide). I probably should have knit the XS for negative ease, but I seem to have a misconception that I am larger than I think I am so I went for the small. I’m not sure if blocking will help, but I’m hoping it will at least get the bottom to stop rolling up.

Overall, I’d say I am pleased with the outcome, but not overjoyed. Since it’s so quick and easy (and the yarn is very affordable), I could always whip up a second shirt in XS. We’ll see.

So of course I had to start a spring tee, Green Gable. I purchased a lovely color of Cotton Fleece called Rue, and I’m zipping right along.

It’s hard to capture, but the color is a dusty greenish blueish shade – you know, sort of like the Penelopiad Pullover, hehe.

However, I’m a bit baffled by the math. My calculations do not add up to what’s in the pattern, but I don’t think I made a mistake (this time). I emailed the authors, the Zephyr girls, to see if the pattern is indeed wrong. No response yet, so I’m just going forward with hopes that it doesn’t make too much of a difference in the end.