At the beginning of the year I posted about some plans I hoped to roll out in 2016. This year has turned out to be quite the doozie for, well, the whole planet, and as a resident of Earth, I was not immune to what my best friend and I have coined 201666. To turn the frown that is this year a little upside down, I thought it was time to plow forward with an idea I have been excited about for a long time: hosting a read along knit along! (#RALKAL? I think so!)
As an avid audiobook knitter and librarian, this book-group-meets-knit-along idea is something I’ve wanted to do for years. Get your hands ready to be occupied, friends! Starting Monday, October 10, we’ll be knitting a relaxing (and audiobook listening-friendly) shawl and reading one of my favorite new books of 2016, The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.
About the book
This young adult title is a gut punch of a book in the best possible way. Set in Alaska in the 1970s as the region grapples with its newfound statehood, four young people find their complicated young lives intertwined. From Goodreads, “In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.”
At just 240 pages and an audiobook that runs under 6 hours (and has multiple narrators which helps keep characters straight if you’re knitting while listening), this isn’t a crazy commitment time-wise. While the title is written for young adults (a.k.a. teens), I’ve had amazing conversations with every adult reader who’s feasted their brains on this special story. You’ll be in good hands with me as we discuss the book in the Hands Occupied Ravelry Group, by the way! I’m a librarian who has worked with teens and adults in book groups featuring both adult and teen titles. I’m q-u-a-l-i-f-i-e-d to discuss me some books! The book is currently available in hardback, paperback, and on audiobook. My library has lots of copies on the shelves, so you should check yours to see if they have it too!
About the pattern
Inspired by the book we’ll be reading, the Other People’s Houses Shawl will be released for free on the first day of the RALKAL on October 10. We’ll be knitting and reading between October 10 and 31, sharing progress and finished pictures with the hashtag #RALKAL. To knit this shawl, you’ll need: two 100g balls of Louet Gems Euroflax Sport yarn in your choice of color (pictured is Cloud Grey), 1 pair of 40 inch US 3 circular knitting needles, and a tapestry needle and scissors to weave in ends.
As an added incentive to get your reading and knitting on, there will be a Louet giveaway prize pack raffle at the end of the RALKAL, and everyone who finishes the book and the shawl can enter to win. I’ll post more details and prize pics in the coming weeks. I can’t wait to cast on and start reading with you all!
If you’ve got any questions about the RALKAL, holler in the comments. :)
Allison
September 28, 2016 at 9:55 amOoh! *librarian immediately sucked in to book and yarn vortex*
I may have blown my yarn budget twice over this year…what if I were to substitute some Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool? I have 300-ish yards in a nice cream and 500-ish in orange–is the shawl designed to use both skeins of Euroflax in their entirety?
Heidi
September 28, 2016 at 12:19 pmIt is!
Allison
September 28, 2016 at 6:18 pmOk! Eye-searing orange shawl it is :)
Heidi
September 29, 2016 at 5:52 pmOMG, I can’t wait to see that!
Debbie W
September 28, 2016 at 1:36 pmSo excited about this! Though I’ll be travelling at the end of October so getting the shawl finished May be a bit of a challenge, I’d hate to lose such lovely yarn to the changing whims of the TSA…I’ll definitely be reading along!
Heidi
September 28, 2016 at 2:42 pmYay! Excited to have you, Debbie! For what it’s worth, I traveled with this project last year and it was all good. I sometimes pack a printout from TSA’s website – the page where they say you can knit and crochet on planes. 🤓 🤓 Clearly I’m VERY cool!
Debbie W
September 28, 2016 at 4:57 pmThanks for the travel tip!
Nan
September 28, 2016 at 3:18 pmCan you recommend any other yarns, size and weight? I’d love to try to use some of my stash… Can I use wool? Thanks
Heidi
September 29, 2016 at 9:21 amYou’re in luck! This pattern will work at any gauge with any yarn.
Judy
October 1, 2016 at 5:20 pmI love this idea! I listen to audiobooks constantly as I knit, so this is right up my alley. I just joined your Ravelry group but don’t see the ralkal listed yet…will you send out a reminder when it’s all up and running? Meanwhile, off to see if my library has a copy for me <3
Heidi
October 1, 2016 at 5:28 pmI was planning on the thread starting to be active when the KAL does, but I can start it early since you’re interested! :) Ill do that right now!
Judy
October 2, 2016 at 7:32 amThanks! I just wanted to be sure I didn’t lose track…
Jen
October 2, 2016 at 12:21 pmBooks + yarn + fall = heaven! What a great idea!
Helen
October 8, 2016 at 4:54 pmHeidi,,, por favor,,,, the pattern will be released October 10th. Will we get this via email,,,, or your postings on Faceybook? Im as happy as a greased pig in a pig catching contest SMILE Dont wanna miss out on anything Thanks much!!!!
Heidi
October 9, 2016 at 12:17 pmHi Helen!
Your comment made me laugh out loud! Can’t wait to have your positive energy during our Read Along Knit Along! The pattern will be posted in full to this blog tomorrow (and I’ll post links to the pattern on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry etc. letting people who follow that way know about the pattern). You can chat with everyone doing the RALKAL in the Ravelry group about the pattern and what we’re reading as we go!
Can’t wait to get started tomorrow,
Heidi
Helen White
October 9, 2016 at 8:37 amHeidi, you are so cute. I am a 74 tear old grandmother, so am I permitted to say this.? Plus a retired high school teacher who is trying to get my groove back to knitting. Never have been very good at it, but do better with crochet. Your site is wonderful.
Heidi
October 9, 2016 at 12:19 pmThank you so much, Helen! Glad you found Hands Occupied. :)