Addendum: Have you seen the numbers for the Dulaan project? Ryan has posted them. That’s just phenomenal! I’ve been cheering and tearing for two days :) The following quote seemed, somehow, appropriate…
Courtesy of Daily Zen
Well, I started knitting Tychus yesterday and got through three of the five sections. I’ll post a picture when it’s done which should be some time today. The construction is interesting and the effect is nice but I don’t like the garter stitch edge. I’ll have to see what I can do about that :)
I did something yesterday that I have never done before - I listened to an audio book, well, part of one anyway. As a compulsive reader a lot of the experience has centered around the book itself - size, shape, design, typeface and if it’s older, its condition, even its smell. There is something about the feel of a book that’s part of the whole experience of reading.
An audio book is something else entirely and I found it a little disconcerting at first. I tried to tell myself that it was like listening to a radio drama - but it clearly wasn’t that; it wasn’t being acted out like a play - it was being read. Okay, scratch that. For quite a long time though, I kept looking up from my knitting as though there were something on television of which I could catch a glimpse. Of course that wasn’t the case, the TV wasn’t even on. But I am so conditioned to knitting through TV shows and movies that I kept looking up anyway.
Audio adds a dimension to the mind’s acquisition of the story. This was a book I had already read a few times, so I knew the plot and the characters and had already constructed pictures in my head to compliment the story. The audio aspect of things didn’t change the pictures, but did help flesh them out a bit as did, perhaps, the fact that I didn’t have to stop (however momentarily) every so often to turn the page.
A great deal depends on the reader though. This one wasn’t bad, fairly adept at accomodating a large and varied bunch of characters - but another that I listened to briefly was quite lackluster. And I found myself wondering about the idea of rejecting a book, not because you didn’t like the story, but because the reader didn’t enage you.
For me, addicted to the tactile aspect of reading as I am, audio books will never entirely or seriously replace bound paper. Still, it’s quite the thing - an interesting experience and a nice option to have.
“These are the days of miracles and wonders...”
Paul Simon
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isn’t ‘tychus’ an interesting pattern? i love this issue of knitty and can hardly wait to make some things for some of ‘the boys’ here from it-
note: to any of your uk-based readers- thinking of you today and sending wishes for your safety-
Barb - Tychus creates interesting patterns - I’d like to try it sometime with a solid and a co-ordinating vareigated.
I look forward to seeing your progress on this hat. This Knitty issue was not for me. Nothing really popped out. Of course if my husband liked sweater, I might feel different. I enjoy an audio book while driving on a long trip. I am with you.....nothing quite like having a good book in your hands. I am in the middle of reading “The Kite Runner”.
Maureen - I can’t say anything really jolted me either except for that hat with it’s interesting construction. In suitable colors and perhaps with some embellishment, it should be a cute child’s cap.
And oh Lod, I think I wouls almost rather have a good book than nearly anything else in the world.
Except pasta.
And oreos.
And coffee...but that’s all! 
If you’re careful, you could easily combine reading with pasta, oreos *and* coffee ;-)
Kathy - Sometimes I have done just that :) That is my idea of what perfect peace-and-quiet time is all about!
I love “books on tape” when working in the garden...makes weeding much more pleasant.
Pam - I can imagine, and you really can’t hold onto a book while trying to weed a garden. This way, you don’t have to deprive yourself of the company of a good novel in order to work on something else.
I’ll be starting Saranac soon - although hubbie’s requested I lose the high neck. Can’t wait to see your hat. :)
Doug’s father used to listen to books on tape when his eyesight started to go. He finally stopped because, as a formerly voracious reader, he just couldn’t “get into” the different format.
Bron - I wonder about that too, being able to adjust to the different format? It feels definitely odd to me, though I intend to keep at it for a while. If it means that I can “digest” a good book whie knitting (or whatever - not dusting though; life is too short) then I’m sure I can manage to deal :)
