Wednesday 3 July 2013

Yarn Along



There's something new on the needles. I'm knitting a tie for 'A.' I bought him a nice narrow vintage knitted one from Portobello Road and a lovely fine tweed one in Oxford. We couldn't find others in the colours he needed, so I offered to try and make some. 

I remember a lovely narrow olive green leather one that my father used to wear with dark checked shirts, narrow trousers and brown leather Doc Martin laceup shoes.

'A' spotted the petrol blue and grey linen yarn in my knitting basket and asked if I would use some of that. So I've put my shawl to one side for a bit and am experimenting with plain stocking stitch on five needles and I'll try moss(seed) next.

I hear that blue, along with burnt orange, mustard and olive green are going to be all the rage in menswear this autumn. So he's going to be right on trend...Not that he'd mind if he was, or wasn't...me neither for that matter.

I've almost finished reading Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. It wasn't at all what I expected. The whole book (so far...p209) is a series of emails and letters. Not my favourite format for a novel. I think it stints the narrative and I somehow feel that it's an easy option for the author. 

I hope that doesn't make me sound pompous...I'm a rubbish writer and struggle to write a  comprehensive email or blog post, let alone a whole novel. But it's just an observation and it hasn't made me put it down. All the same, I can't wait to begin "Things I've Been Silent About" by Azar Nafisi, an author for whom I have great respect.



But what about you, anything new on your needles and what are you reading?

I'm joining with Ginny for Yarn Along...



...you coming too?

PS...the film looks really fun:






10 comments:

  1. Visiting from Ginny's. Sounds like an interesting project. My dh doesn't wear ties...ever but my daughter thinks I should make him some wool socks. We'll see. lol

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    1. Mine wouldn't if he didn't have too, but teaches and it's expected. It's off as soon as he comes through the door though. Socks would be cool though...

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  2. I've seen a few people knitting ties recently. I think moss stitch would work better - stockinette is going to curl whereas you'll get a more dense texture (so a better drape/hang) with moss.

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    1. Hi Hannah,
      Thanks for your advise. I was planning on moss stitch with just a stocking stitch border but it was knitting up so nicely that I carried on knitting. I might see how it works out as the linen yarn is quite firm and because it's knitted in the round it seems to be holding shape. But definitely moss stitch next time.

      You'll probably be able to say "told you so" if you come back next week...!!

      Thanks again Hannah,
      Debby

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  3. I think I agree with you about the novel format, I personally like narrative with chit chatting and I want to be caught up and carried away. Love the tie and love that it will be trendy hence making A a very trendy person :D

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  4. Love the tie - what a fun idea, I have never seen a knit tie like that. My husband doesn't wear ties either but I'll tuck the idea away just in case!

    I think being a reader qualifies you to offer critique whether or not we are good writers - don't you think? I always appreciate the opinions of "real people" over "qualified" critics when it comes to books and movies since I want to know how it will appeal to ME, a regular person!

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    1. Thanks for coming over Sarah, you've made me feel much better about my critique.

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  5. I have yet to watch Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - its been waiting patiently on my usb stick. I have read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows which are letters back and forward which I hated in the beginning but then couldn't put down and by the end had completely changed my mind about the format. My needles are half full of several half finished projects. The children I was knitting for have grown so much I am considering restarting! About to start "Then Again" a memoir by Diane Keaton.

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  6. That sounds like a fun book...amazing title. I will give the format another chance, I still haven't finished it, so like you may end up loving it.
    I love Diane Keaton, she always seems so quirky. Although I don't really know much about her actual life and personality so that sounds like an interesting read.

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