Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Knitlit

There's not been much knitting done around these parts lately. A new editor is finally in place at one of the pubs I write for so things need to get turned around quickly. I'm spending most nights researching and writing. I have however, read a pretty good book recently. I rarely make time to read fiction. I spend so much time reading for my work that I need to shift gears when I get home and do different things. I love to read and was a book worm as a kid but since I had the boys - other things keep getting in the way.

I purchased a copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club a couple of weeks ago and finished it last night. I was skeptical but decided to buy the book when I learned that Julia Roberts had bought the rights to make it into a movie. I doubt she'd be interested if it was truly awful so I gave it a whirl. I really enjoyed the book and was pleased to see that the Knitting Club and the shop around which the story revolves were utilized appropriately. In other words, the store and club merely served as vehicles to develop the characters and the entire text wasn't peppered with long passages about long tail cast on versus cabled cast on. I felt the characters were nicely developed and I did have an interest in where they were headed. It was a light- hearted easy read ...until the last 3 chapters or so. I won't spoil the plot but I will say that the story took an unexpected turn that surprised me. This particular plot turn hit WAY too close to home for me so I would imagine it hit me a bit harder than most readers. I would give the author credit for not taking the safe, predictable route and I was definitely moved emotionally. Knitter or non-knitter this book is thoughtfully told and well written. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I was so verklempt at the book's ending that a little retail therapy was in order. My favourite local boutique just got their spring line in and this new label called One Girl Who is dynamite. I purchased this lovely cardigan (left) in the white colour shown. It's based on those lovely circle jacket designs that we're seeing in knitwear right now and the one side falls lower than the other. I LOVE it.

I also got this cardigan(right). Mine is black but you get the picture. Great to dress up and dress down with a little whimsy.

I did complete the first side of the Vogue Knitting pink Koigu skirt so, once that's blocked, I'll show you the completed piece. Poppy shoulders are seamed and I just have to sew in the first sleeve. I want to try it on with one sleeve to make sure the length is correct before I make the other one the same. I could just go for the Venus di Milo look and call it a day!

2 comments:

vanessa said...

i hope you bring that white sweater to rhinebeck, t's gorgeous!

Lara said...

I would love to see how the first side of your skirt turned out! I have been eyeing that issue came out and I just looked at is yesterday to reconsider the skirt again. Has it been a fun knit?