Yarn Along – Neverwhere ‘n’ shawl

neverwhere and knitting

It’s a few months since I joined in with Ginny’s Yarn Along . A place to share what’s on my needles and the book on my bedside table. It’s this time of year that I give knitting and reading more of my time. In the summer, I just can’t settle to either, and both gather dust.

This weekend, we went to our nearest book shop. As usual the children had no trouble finding books and spent time deliberating on which one of many to buy. They can do this without my assistance and I know that I’m little help. I tend to point out other books, which is really not the point. So I took my cue and wandered off to the sci fi section. Spotting old favourites and unknowns. Not sure if I wanted to commit myself to any of them.

rose and web

Reaching the Gs I spotted Neil Gaiman. Not an author I’ve read before. Liz had twittered/tweeted a photo of one of his children’s books. Hmm. Would one of his adult books suit me? I opted for Neverwhere based on nothing more than it had rat speakers in it and AJ had been talking about a children’s book that had rat speakers…so I bought it!

bramble and web

Turned out to be a good choice. It wasn’t till I got home that I realised the book is based on a TV series (adding the DVD to my Christmas list) that we watched years ago. Before children. I remember loving it. A shift in perception has always fascinated me. Probably why I tend to read sci fi rather than something like romances. The book is even better.

spider in web

Maybe it helps that I’ve spent more than enough hours travelling on the London Underground. I’m fully familiar with the places and can picture the stations. Not absolutely necessary when reading this book, but it brought it more to life for me. I love the concept that Hammersmith is a real blacksmith and The Earl (Earls Court) rides around in a carriage with his court. People and places, that have fallen through the fabric of society, are all there. This must have been a fun book to write. Really good book.

clemetis head

Knitting wise – I’m adding rows and width to my shawl. It’s going to be the sort of shawl that I can throw over my shoulders when I need to rush out to close up the hen house or collect the milk from the bottom of the path. It’s easy to pick up and knit. Especially now that I’ve added stitch markers for each of the ripples. There is enough length now that I can start to see the ripple effect. Ravelry notes here

Hello to any fellow yarners. Hope you had a good summer/winter. I’ve finished my book now, so if you have any other suggestions in the same genre, please leave me a comment. Maybe a book called Alwayswhere or Sometimeswhere. It will be more promising as a post title.

14 comments

  1. your photos are gorgeous! Especially the rose buds…

    Enjoy your knitting; such a lovely thought to have a shawl to throw over the shoulders for egg gathering. 🙂

    1. I’m glad you like the spider. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but they are so numersous in the garden at the moment. I find them fascinating. Haven’t read Little Women for a while. Eldest has just read the abridged version. Loved it and is now ploughing through the proper version.

  2. Those spiders webs are just amazing, your camera has captured every little detail.
    The full web is so wonderful I can’t find words for it.
    I’d love to be able to replicate this in embroidery.
    Briony
    x

    1. So fascinating to watch. I could see the web from my desk. I watched the spider working on the centre. So fast and efficient. It had the speed and accuracy of a speed typist using an old fashion typewriter. Unfortunately the web has totally been washed away today. Not sure if it was the rain or something else.

  3. oh i love neverwhere!!! it is a fantastic book! and a perfect introduction to the wonder that is mr. neil gaiman. his best book in my opinion is “american gods” you should check that out next!!!

    1. Amazing to see the webs first thing in the day. I think this one had chosen a high risk location. Gone now. I find knitting is perfect for those odd 5 minutes when I need to sit and listen to the children reading, etc so it tends to follow me around the house. Books are definitely for “my time”.

  4. Neverwhere was my first Gaiman as well and I love it so.
    I’ve ingested it in audiobook, BBC miniseries, and the newest radio drama incarnations as well.
    That Marquis is my favorite!

    I really enjoyed “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”. A nice quick little read that has stuck with me ever since I finished.

    1. The Marquis is definitely my favourite. He is the one that I remembered from the TV series. I’m going to take a look at your suggestion. I don’t think I’ve seen that one. Thank you 😀 (very excited to have new books lined up to read!)

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