For Yarn Along this week, I am completely inspired by my wonderful friend Denise, who, with her family, spent last week with us. What a joy they were - the perfect guests, all the way through. They arrived, bearing beautiful gifts for us all. Among them was a pair of handwarmers for John and for me too (see here). Mine were knitted in gorgeous Stylecraft brushstrokes chunky yarn (acrylic, wool and mohair blend). It is hard to see in this poorly lit photograph, but the colours glow like jewels, and they feel so soft and warm. Denise also brought a few balls of the same yarn for me. Oh - oh - what to knit with it? I thought of a hat with a similar spirally pattern and found one today - here it is. Almost finished the ribbing and about to start the daisy stitch pattern.
The book was also passed on by Denise - originally intended for John but I picked it us and started leafing through it, as you do, and was soon caught up in the story. A very British tale, despite the title - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian. It was funny, but serious - lots of layers to it, and characters that I actually cared about and wanted it all to work out for them. If the BBC were still doing quality drama, I would have expected this to have been made into a TV play by now.
What is everyone else reading and knitting? Thanks to Ginny at Small things for hosting this weekly knit and natter.
Oooh yummy yarn! I'm very jealous!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful yarn! Glad that you had time spent with friends. That is always fun! And a knitting friend too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous yarn! So you're back to knitting again?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful yarn. Nice to see you are a Ravelry person. I would love to read that book, living on a farm with many elderly tractors. Thank you.
ReplyDeletebeautiful yarn and a great book! x
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous yarn :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how the hat turns out!
What a great gift? How is the rippling coming along?
ReplyDeletethe yarn looks very cosy x
ReplyDeleteThank you - it really is a beautiful yarn.Emily - i am popping in and out of knitting. I just really wanted to knit something with this.
ReplyDeleteStill rippling, PM, but with all my visitors, I haven't managed to do as much as i otherwise would. I have just put a few photos on Flickr.
Marjorie - Yes - what a wonderful resource.
xx
I love the yarn and the pattern. Look forward to seeing it finished.I read that book a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am toying with the idea of learing to knit (do men knit - is it acceptable behaviour?) How would I get started?
ReplyDeleteI have mitten envy from Mr John Gray.
Chris - of course men knit - and crochet too!
ReplyDeleteGet yourself on to you tube and soon your mittens will be the envy of everyone at yarn along.
Kate - it is a really good book. Hope your course went well.xxa
Glad you had a wonderful time with friends, what wonderful yarn , I have finally got round to reading the crone , it's a very enlightening read , sorry to have kept them so long xx
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful yarn!
ReplyDeleteLovely yarn, it looks so soft and comfortable. Good book as well, she has another one I liked called Two Caravans.
ReplyDeleteI love the warmth of the colors in the yarn, beautiful!
ReplyDeletebeautiful gifts, I have read the book too and found it hilarious
ReplyDeleteso pleased you enjoyed it and yes what a great drama it would make, can't wait to see the hat finished
ReplyDeletehugs darling xx
Gorgeous yarn from one lovely lady to another :) That book looks good - I've been attracted to it because A: it has an old fashioned cover, and B: the mention of tractors :) Going to have to read it now you've given it such a good review xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous yarn!! So glad you had such a nice time with friends.
ReplyDeletexx
Intriguing title for the little book. Will look it up some time soon! I am afraid I cannot nit as well as you can. So until now I have only made a simple scarf and some cushions, with extremely big pens. Groetjes Sandra
ReplyDeleteHave been imaginging you guys enjoying one anothers company all week, made me smile!
ReplyDeleteI'm not as crafty as you two but I'm readinf Wrting Your Way by Manjusvara at the moment, though I have many others on the go too. I used to read one at a time but now I like many fingers in many pies! Much love lovely lady X
lovely all the way around, beautiful yarn, good friends and a good book. i just saw that at our second hand shop, i'm going to go back for it now. thank you for sharing jacqui!
ReplyDeletexox
I've got a scarf going in a lovely rust color and I'm working on a baby jacket in a very soft, lemony color of wool. I also have various balls of wool around that need to find a purpose and also some books that need to be read.
ReplyDeleteI've heard really good things about that book.
ReplyDeleteLovely! What a thoughtful and useful gift your friends brought you and your hubby. Your hat will look wonderful with the handwarmers :)
ReplyDeleteHow could you not be inspired by the lovely gifts from such a lovely friend? I'm sure your hat will be wonderful when finished, the yarn looks so nice. So pleased you've had a lovely past week with special people.
ReplyDeletexx