Reading: Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy. I want to see the most recent film adaptation of this book so badly, but I'm determined to read the book first. This is my first Thomas Hardy novel, and honestly, I was intimidated about starting it. It took me several pages to settle into the wordiness of his writing style, but I'm actually enjoying it a lot more than I expected to so far. There have been some beautifully descriptive passages, and I like the way that Hardy paints his characters...it feels like he knows them really well and it makes you feel that you do, too. I think this will be one of those books that takes me a while to read, but that's okay.
Knitting: My first pair of mittens. I'm tired of my hands freezing when I'm driving, and I don't feel like knitting a full pair of gloves at the moment, so...mittens. (It should be fun trying to adjust the heat, music, etc. while wearing these, ha!) The pattern is enjoyable to knit, interesting while still being easy, and I love the resulting texture (on both the front and back of the mittens).
{Yarn Along is
a weekly link up hosted by Ginny where you can
share what you've been knitting and reading.}
I read Far From the Madding Crowd last year, and I was pleasantly surprised, too! The characters are so beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteI read your review! :) I've only met two of the main characters so far, but I really like how he introduces them.
DeleteAw, yay! I hope you (continue to) enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteThe mittens are gorgeous! I love the color and all that beautiful texture! I've never ready anything by Thomas Hardy but I did watch the new version of "Far From the Madding Crowd" and thought it was pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad to hear that you liked the new adaptation...I can't wait to see it. :)
DeleteThe cables are absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love the texture in this pattern.
DeleteGood for you for reading the book first! And those mittens. Your work is eye candy!
ReplyDeleteI can be stubborn about that sometimes, ha! (I feel like I wouldn't feel as motivated to read the book at all if I saw the film first.) Thanks!
DeleteAfter reading Tess of d'Urbervilles (and basically hating it...) I was so surprised that I loved Far From the Madding Crowd. I think the main difference is that I was able to like some of the characters. :) The new adaptation does look wonderful - hopefully I'll be able to see it soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the pattern and picture for those mittens (I did see your reply to my comment too - thank you!). That green is so pretty! I haven't tried cables yet, but this looks like it would be a good intro. I get major indecision when I start browsing Ravelry - I just want to make all the things at once! It's nice to see an example that makes the decision for me. :)
I originally planned on reading Tess of d'Urbervilles first, but I was afraid that I wouldn't want to read any more Thomas Hardy after that one. :) In my head, I keep thinking of the new adaptation as connected to the 2005 P&P. Not plot wise, but probably because I keep hearing about how beautiful it is (the cinematography and settings, the costumes, the score, etc.). Hopefully it'll be good!
DeleteI thought this yarn was a mustard yellow when I ordered it, but it turned out to be a quite unusual greenish-brown, ha! There are so many patterns on Ravelry that sometimes it is hard to choose. These mittens would build a lot of good skills: cables, bobbles, knitting a thumb, grafting with the Kitchener stitch, etc. But they're not difficult at all!
Your mitten looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
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