I have zero FOs this Friday. Not really any that are very close either, though if I have some solid knitting time this weekend, I might get through one of them. I’ve been focusing on a shawl with some new review yarn (early review: it’s scrummy, as Mary Berry would say). It’s aran weight so you’d think it would go quickly, but my brain has been tired at night the last couple of weeks. It’s a good thing, though: I’ve been doing more writing/ content creation stuff at work, and even though it’s taxing my brain, it’s so good. It’s so much more fulfilling than just doing social media stuff. So cross your fingers that this trend carries on!
Anyway, shawl. It’s also a black yarn, and I am old so my eyes need good light for black yarn, especially when it comes to lace. Last night I was zooming along but lost track of which row I was on, and I just didn’t want to deal with trying to read my stitches in black yarn at 9 pm. That’s my goal for today, because I’m on the home stretch with this one and I’d like to be done soon!
You might think I’d like to be done so I can return to current WIPs. Maybe. Or maybe I want to cast on something with some new Malabrigo Rasta??
A cowl with this would be fast! And perfect for the fall weather that’s looming. But yes, I’d also go back to WIPs. I’d like to finish Tubbs so I can move on to new sock yarn. I always have new sock yarn calling my name. And I’ll also spend some time on my new LEGO set. I’ve embraced LEGOs as therapy for when I’m feeling anxious or stressed and I have a big new set waiting for me!
Honestly, I struggle with buying these, as much as I love them. I abhor what JKR has said about trans people, and I worry about doing anything that might support her or make other people think I support the views she espouses. But I have so much love for the HP world itself, the movies are serious comfort movies for me, and I have a lot of great memories with my kids that involve the HP world. So I am conflicted, seriously conflicted. I was talking about it at dinner the other day, and the boy had a great suggestion: donate to a trans rights organization as well.
Today I googled “trans rights charities” and donated to GLSEN: “GLSEN believes that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. We are a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters working to make this right a reality.”
They’re both small actions in the grand scheme of things, but I do like the balance I feel with the donation.
That’s my weekend sorted: knitting and LEGOs! Fine, and a few chores too. Anyone doing anything fun this weekend?
bonnyknits 
I think what you did was perfect. You enjoy what JKR has created as an author but differ with her as an individual. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. If your thoughts go to GLSEN or the LGBTQ population with a bit of conflict, donating to an organization directly is a perfect counter.
As lovely as it would be to all get along, sometimes our differences propel us to action and when that action is positive, it is win-win in my opinion!
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!
Not actually related to your post, but maybe you know…where do I find the setting for getting each post as an email? I’d be so much better at keeping up if I had that. I know it exists, I just can’t find it.
Okay, I think I found it, I should get an email now when you post. I don’t know how I got there though, so fingers crossed it worked 🙂
Oh good because I was going to have to do some digging myself to figure it out! LOL
I know what you mean about the black yarn. Though I have never had an easy time with dark colored yarn, even when I was young. It’s always hard for me to read my knitting. (This is the biggest reason why I avoid super dark yarn these days. Pity, because it often looks really cool.)
I love the balance idea for Potter stuff. I’ve been thinking that I’ll be okay with buying things “inspired by” the work, but not officially licensed items. However, I know that a lot of people are aware that I enjoy the story, and so will want to get me Potter-themed gifts. I’ve been wondering how to deal with that, and I don’t want to make gift-giving awkward or uncomfortable when someone is trying to do something nice. So I’ll use your balance idea and donate when I receive Potter things. Thanks for the idea!
My pleasure, though really my son gets the credit! It feels good to offset negative with positive!
I have two trans kids and I was also concerned about JKR’s views, being a Harry Potter lover myself. Then I read her blog post and found she is not transphobic or anti trans. She has some concerns and a history that led to a knee jerk reaction, which she now regrets. She’s a human being. But she’s not hateful.
Thanks so much for the comment. I appreciate your insight. I remember reading an essay she wrote earlier this summer, that included her history of abuse, but I’ve never gotten the sense that her reaction was something she regrets. I need to re-read it. And perhaps there’s another post I’ve missed; I’ll look for that. It also seemed like the premise of her new book, about a “murderous cross-dresser”, was perpetuating the idea that trans women are a risk to the safety of others.
Well I haven’t read that book, so maybe I should look for it.
That looks like an interesting shawl! I will be interested to read about the yarn 🙂 That Rasta is just your color! Do you have a cowl pattern in mind for it?
No, I don’t! Any pattern suggestions?
Not off the top of my head – I will keep a lookout!
Oooo those makes/yarn are so pretty! I love how rich the black yarn with.
I LOVE the idea of donating to trans organization after buying HP merchandise, this is such a wonderful idea. I’ve had the same internal struggles about supporting her (the books/stories are such an integral part of my life that I could never disown them, but I don’t want anything to do with her bigoted beliefs either.)
Yay, glad I could help!
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I was wondering about that too, after a random urge to re-read the books that I don’t currently own. Although I would be getting them from charity/second hand shops anyway so I don’t know if any money would go to her anyway, I shall make the donations just in case.
Love that! 🙂