The past couple of weeks, I have been knitting on this sontag, a 19th century cool-weather garment knit from a pattern from 1860, for living history purposes. Ultimately, this will have a cream colored edging around it. More photos to come as it progresses!
I’m continuing my journey through the Newbery Medalists. The 1969 winner, The High King by Lloyd Alexander, posed an interesting questions for me because it is the fifth in a series of five books. I decided, rather than just reading the Newbery winner, to read the whole series first and I’m glad I did! My library had a volume with all five books in one available and I’m part-way through the second book right now. (The books are, in order, The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Lyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King.) The books follow the adventures of Taran, an assistant pig-keeper at the farm of Dallben (a wise if quirky enchanter), as the kings and warriors of various parts of Prydain seek to defend their lands from the evil forces of King Arawn of Annuvin. Taran has a number of interesting friends — a princess who rescues herself from the custody of Queen Achren, a sorceress in league with Arawn; a king-turned-bard, a disgruntled dwarf, and a human-like forest creature named Gurgi who, well, does his best. The books are, so far, simply delightful! They might be too scary for younger readers (Annuvin is protected by the Cauldron Born, warriors who have been raised from the dead and turned immortal, for example) but this is a great fantasy series for older readers! I’m looking forward to the remaining three books.
This post is part of the weekly Yarn Along at Small Things. Check out what the other knitters/crocheters and readers are working on and enjoying!
Oh thank you so much for reminding me of these! Maddie is looking for a new series to read, and I loved the Book of Three…..