I didn't expect to find a "sudden flash of poetry" in The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but I did. Nor would I have thought to describe it as beautiful but the little moments he describes, his turn of phrase, the way he strings his words together, the subtle humour, it's all poetry to me. I find that once more I'm reading not so much for the narrative but for the words themselves. I love his choice of words. How he described an artists' ability to adjust a portrait to capture the sitters personality: "to darken it with a frown, to kindle it up with a smile." ...."to kindle it up with a smile"...I love it. Or Hepzibah's memory as "an air-drawn picture." ...perfect. So again it's one of those books that I'm savouring, not rushing to finish. I hope that it will last me for a while.
I'd be happy for my knitting to last a while too. It's so easy. I cast on an annabel pullover in linen yarn before Christmas, then put it aside to work on gifts. I picked it up again last week and finished the body, and am working on the first sleeve. I love the simplicity of the pattern, and of the garter stitch. The gentle therapy of knit a row, purl a row. I made the annabel 'cardigan' in Icelandic lopi wool a couple of years ago. I feel like a teddy bear in it, it's so chunky and warm. It's perfect for today because the wind is howling down the chimney and rain drumming on the kitchen window as I'm writing, but I'm pleasantly toasty. It's the first annabel 'pullover' I've knitted. I've manage to slip it on to try with the needles still on the arm. It's a really nice fit. It's going to be just as good as the cardigan. I think there'll be more on the needles in the future.
But there are a couple of other things that I have in mind too. Including this pattern I bought recently.So I won't be too disappointed if I complete the annabel soon, as this new one looks like a fun relaxing knit as well.
sharing with ginny
I like the idea of knitting an Annabel Pullover and I agree with you on it being a therapeutic knit.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne was amazing with his pairing of words. I have a biography book on Hawthorne, but I've never read it, maybe I should.
I love the Louise pattern does look like fun! I have got to really stay away from Ravelry because now I want to knit one too :)
I know Tracey there are so many lovely patterns out there. I have a folder on the desktop of my computer just for pdf's of knitting patterns. I keep adding to. It's getting fuller and fuller. I must get some yarn. I'm saving for my trip to Loop In London.
DeleteI love his writing. It makes me want to return to The Scarlet Letter and any other works that I haven't read.
I recently had the House of Seven Gables recommended to me so that may be in my near future, especially after reading your lovely commentary!
ReplyDeleteThe Annabel pullover is really lovely and I can see why it would be a therapeutic knitting experience. Beautiful!
I'm really enjoying it Sarah. I was just talking to my daughter on the phone about it and she said she had exactly the same feeling. She was reading it for a paper she had to write so sped through the first part but then gradually slowed down because she wanted to enjoy the process more.
DeleteHmmm, seems I need to read this book now. I do love when prose is poetry buy word choice. Sleeves?? Speedy you, that'll be done in no time at all!!! Love your sweater :)
ReplyDeleteIt's probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I just love his style.
DeleteI'll hopefully finish the pullover this weekend. It's on big needles, 6.5 and a loose knit so just knits up so quickly.
Have a great weekend Karen,
debx
So many of the old writers did grand things with language. The current literary style is so very pared down--simple words,short sentences.
ReplyDeleteI've had Annabel in my knitting queue forever. I've GOT to get to it this spring! You're making good progress on your pullover.
I completely agree...current literature is so watered down and lacking in description. Hubby and I often discuss this. He is reading Dickens right now and is loving the vivid character descriptions.
DeleteI can appreciate both styles of writing Susan but am really enjoying Hawthorne's. I like to make notes of interesting quotes from books but with his I can't because there are too many. I would just write down the whole thing.
DeleteThe Annabel is so easy to do and knits really quickly.
Have a lovely weekend
debx
I can't wait to read The House of Seven Gables. After you posted about it a few weeks ago, I since have acquired it, and when I finished with my current book, I am going to start it. Nathaniel Hawthorne was quite the character, and his words, like you said, so poetic.
ReplyDeleteI love the color of your sweater...can't wait to see what you have chosen for your new project.
I hope you like. Thanks Emily, I hope to finish it this weekend.
DeleteHave a lovely weekend,
debx
Love it when a book is so good you wished it would go on and on….. Nice jumper, wished I could get enthused about all my half started projects!! Feeling guilty.
ReplyDeleteI know. Thankfully he wrote a few others so I have those to look forward to as well.
DeleteIt's perfect knitting weather here, maybe you'll feel more inclined to knit as it gets to autumn.
Enjoy the sunshine
debx
I know just what you mean about enjoying the words and descriptions even more than the narratives - I'm reading my current book with a pencil by my side so that I can underline and remember some of the lovely turns of phrase. I adore knitting with Lopi - I can just imagine how wonderfully warm that jumper is. And the Louise cardigan is so pretty - I love those deep contrasting bands - I'd be looking forward to knitting that!
ReplyDelete