After posting four shawl projects in a row on my blog a few months back, I decided to take a break from shawl knitting. And I have! Since then, I've knit a pair of fingerless gloves, a number of mochimochis, and worked on a pair of socks (which aren't done yet), not to mention swatching and the like. But shawl knitting has turned out to be a bit addictive...and yes, I've made another one.

The pattern I used is Georgiana Shawlette by Susanna IC, originally published in the first issue of Jane Austen Knits, one of my very favorite knitting magazines. It's a lovely light and lacey shawl, worked primarily on size 8 US needles and shaped using short-rows (sort of like the heel of a sock). I knit it up with 2 skeins of Cascade Heritage, my go-to sock yarn. The final shawl is a gift for my mother (though I did borrow it for a few photos).

As a side note, the next issue of Jane Austen Knits magazine will be out sometime this fall, and should contain a few of my patterns. Stay tuned!

I've been knitting a lot recently. I'll be posting about some of my current projects soon, but this post is about something else I've been doing while knitting: listening to podcasts. Back in May, I reviewed three podcasts I was listening to then. Here are two more I've been enjoying: Yarn Thing and The SweetGeorgia Show.

Yarn Thing is a podcast put on by the wonderful knitting and crochet designer Marly Bird. She interviews people in the yarn industry, such as Mary Jane Hall, author of Colorful Crochet Lace, and designer Christine Marie Chen (to name two recent guests). I enjoy hearing the stories of these folks, how they learned to knit or crochet and their journey to where they are now in the yarn industry. You can listen to the Yarn Thing podcast live on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or find previously recored episodes here. Show notes are also available on Marly's blog. Oh, and each episode of Yarn Thing includes fantastic giveaways!

Another, brand-new podcast I've been enjoying is The SweetGeorgia Show. Felicia Lo of SweetGeorgia Yarns chats with some really cool knitters and fiber lovers, including Heather Zoppetti of Stitch Sprouts, and Aimee Gille, owner of two Parisian yarn shops. As with Yarn Thing, I've found these interviews intriguing and informative.

Do you enjoy listening to yarn-related podcasts? What are some of your favorites?

Recently, a lot of small items have flown off my needles. Why? Because of the new book, Adventures in Mochimochi Land by Anna Hrachovec.

Anna Hrachovec is an amazing toy designer. She's written four other books of toy knitting patterns already. But Adventures in Mochimochi Land is unique in that its more than just a books of patterns. It's also a book of stories featuring Anna's tiny amigurumi creatures. She gives accounts of a donut that went on an eating rampage, a deep sea treasurer election, and the escapades of escaping balloons. They all feature incredible photography by Brandi Simons, who really brought the knits to life.

And there are also patterns, so you can make twenty-five of the creatures and characters from the book for yourself. I haven't made all of them by any means, but of the ones I have knitted, let me share two favorites. First, the Mallow Bunnies. These miniature marshmallow rabbits are super quick to make and super adorable! Perfect for last minute gifts, and maybe even a cute necklace. I also really love the Tiny Cherry Pie. A bite-sized knitted pie; how awesome is that? I could go on. Everything in this book is so cute! But don't just take my word for it, see for yourself.

And if the patterns in Adventures in Mochimochi Land aren't giving your adorable overload already, Anna Hrachovec has also been releasing a series of free patterns on her blog to go along with the book! Check out the Chocolate Chip Cookie, Tiny Nosey Fish, Sand Pennies, and Carnie Zebra.

I think this book would be so fun for parents; read the stories with your kids, and then knit the characters so they can act out the scenes and create their own. Note that many of the patterns in this books are too small for children under three years old.

You can buy Adventures in Mochimochi Land from Amazon or purchase a signed copy in the Mochimochi shop.