Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Yarn Along: A Lost Lady and a found raglan


I've been looking for a basic seamless raglan pull-over pattern for a long time, and finally found this one via Sarah Jane's yarn along post a few weeks ago. This Yarn Along tradition is so fun--such a great way to share patterns and ideas and inspiration! I brought my daughter to the yarn shop with me to pick out yarn, and she chose this lovely purple alpaca. I'm hoping to finish it in time for her to wear it with the arrival of chilly weather this fall.

I just finished A Lost Lady, by Willa Cather. After reading My Antonia and O Pioneers years ago, I fell in love with Willa Cather, but never ventured beyond these two books.  When I recently came upon A Lost Lady, it seemed a good opportunity to explore her work further.  It took a little longer to draw me in, but in the end, I heaved the same sigh of satisfaction and felt the same sense of expansive horizons that I love so much about her other books. She has such insight into the personalities and inner workings of individual human beings,of humanity as a whole, of landscapes and eras. And I'm so inspired by the strong, remarkable (and flawed) pioneer women she writes about.

I've also been enjoying the BBC series Lark Rise to Candleford, based on a love letter written by Flora Thompson in the 1880's. A lovely show to knit with (though I wouldn't recommend for children, as there are some dark elements).

Happy knitting and reading to everyone! And do visit Ginny at Small Things for more Yarn-along inspiration.
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19 comments:

  1. pinkundineAugust 31, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    That purple alpaca looks so gorgeously warm and snuggly and the pattern is really cute, the simplicity will look fab in that rich purple :)

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  2. EllenAugust 31, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    I have several of her books on my shelf. Need to pull them out again. We love Lark Rise but I keep getting the wrong next dvd from the library. Another wonderful series of hers is Cranford. Highly recommended! And we also like Little Dorrit (different author) - very good, but a little dark and one scene not suitable for children. That color of yarn is beautiful.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    The yarn looks so yummy, it'll make a fabulous jumper. I like the simple style, it's just the best sometimes!

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  4. angieAugust 31, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    Love that color! The raglan sleeves have me hooked lately, it's all I want to knit when it comes to cardigans.

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  5. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    I love the purple yarn.. your knitting is beautiful!!

    ~~Renee

    A Knitters Notebook

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  6. karenAugust 31, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Gorgeous purple for a raglan :) Would you believe I have not read a Willa Cather book? I'm going to get one out of the library soon.

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  7. GaeAugust 31, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I love purple and it looks great
    Blessings
    Gae

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  8. NadjaAugust 31, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    I just finished that pattern, and it is such a nice, easy one! You seem to knit more loosely than I do, which is a good thing because the pattern does run a bit small! The purple looks luscious!

    We finished watching Lark Rise about a month ago and were sorry to say goodbye to all the great characters. Wish I could afford the series!

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  9. JacquiAugust 31, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Your purple yarn is just beautiful. I do like Flora Thompson - a very beautiful writer, and interesting woman.
    xx

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  10. cpcableAugust 31, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Beautiful color, I can't wait to see how the sweater turns out! I took a class years ago in which we read the complete works of Cather. I really should revisit them, as I don't think I appreciated them at the time. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

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  11. JenAugust 31, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    That sweater is going to be beautiful.

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  12. KristenAugust 31, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I was just thinking of re-reading O Pioneers...it's been years! I love the purple alpaca...it will make such a soft pullover. Happy knitting!

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  13. KatyAugust 31, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    That purple yarn was the perfect pick! Bet it will be fun to snuggle into when it is finished.

    I haven't read A Lost Lady yet myself and I love Willa Cather. I never even thought of going back to her for my next read. What a great idea.

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  14. www.OhThePlacesWellRoll.comAugust 31, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    willa cather, i read o pioneers in college and can't remember a thing about it. not one bit. it certainly didn't get me excited to read any more of her work, but maybe that was age and where i was in my life and less about her. i may need to try again...i keep seeing her books on the yarn along!

    :)
    jen

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  15. meghannAugust 31, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I am working on the same sweater for my son - not featured in this week's post because I haven't done much on it for the last week or so - and was also inspired to start it by Sarah Jane! I love the yarn you're using - what is it?

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  16. ElizabethAugust 31, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    My daughter picked purple for her sweater too. Must be the color of the season.

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  17. AnnieAugust 31, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    To everyone~ thank you so much for visiting! I do love reading all your comments.

    To Meghann~ the yarn is Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca in plum. http://www.aslantrends.com/royal_alpaca.php
    It's very soft and feels kind of luxurious, but it was cheaper than a lot of other options at our yarn shop!

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  18. Lorena (sonido retro UK)September 28, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Before I get lost in the link that you provide in your article (about the raglan pattern), let me tell you that I really loved your blog. Very nice pictures and colors.
    Raglan cardi are my favourite, I love the easy way f doing the sleeves but I do not know how to make a jumper all at once, is that possible?
    Kind regards,
    Lorena

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  19. AnnieSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Thank you Lorena!

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