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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Knitting versus reading--Kandy Shepherd


Knitting—that was the topic of conversation when I met with friends last week for lunch.



They’d all taken it up—some after many years. Not for fashion or economy—the hand-knitted garments would cost more in yarn than a purchased one. No. My friends are all knitting for pleasure and relaxation.

I can knit—after a fashion. Simple combinations of plain and purl on large needles are within my skill range—though I freak at the thought of a cable! Years ago, bedridden recuperating from an operation, I found knitting a therapeutic way to pass the time. A very nice sweater resulted.

But I haven’t knitted for years. No time! And I haven’t learned to embroider or cross-stitch either—skills I greatly admire and would love to master. My mother and grandmother were expert at both. In fact I see needlework and knitting as examples of womanly arts that have survived generation after generation.

But not inherited by me. I can sew using a machine. And I love to cook. But if I have any spare time I want to read.



Reading is my pleasure and relaxation. I want to read books—both traditional and e-books—magazines, newspapers, journals, even the back of cereal packets if all else fails. Fiction, non-fiction—I just want to read!
How about you? Do you manage to juggle a reading addiction with another hobby or craft? Or are you like me? Please share your story!

Leave a comment to win a free download of my e-book Something About Joe. Be sure to include your email address.



 Something About Joe is available for just $0.99c at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other e-retailers.


Kandy Shepherd writes fun, feel-good fiction.
www.kandyshepherd.com



IMAGE CREDITS

Knitting
© Shcheglov | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos ; Old books © Mietitore | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos;
Reading in bath 


15 comments:

Vanessa Barneveld said...

Hi, Kandy! I've already had the pleasure of reading Something About Joe, so no need to enter me in the draw. I know whoever wins it will love it as much as I did.

Knitting can be very relaxing and addictive! I can't follow a pattern, though, which means all I can do is knit scarves. No matter what I do, they always end up with curly edges and turn out looking like those door snakes people use to prevent draughts coming in.

Laurie G said...

I knit on my lunch break. It's too noisy to read in our tiny lounge area. Knitting relaxes me and also keeps me from eating!

johns lake at usa dot com

washi said...

Hi Kandy,
I knit, crochet, cross-stitch...and read...loads! But sometimes I get so engrossed in my reading that I push my crafts aside which just leads to many unfinished projects o_O

That's why, I now read on the train...mostly e-books while listening to my fave radio station...but the ultimate? Knitting while listening to audio-books on my iPod :)

Nadia Adams
washi.inct@gmail.com

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Vanessa, how nice you are my first visitor! Thank you for the kind words about SOMETHING ABOUT JOE, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
You can't have enough scarves--and there is something therapeutic about watching them grow as you knit! I am in need of two door snakes, if you are considering actually knitting some!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Good thinking, Laurie G, I'd forgotten how good knitting is at preventing snacking!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Nadia, I know all about unfinished craft projects! But how very clever of you--of course, knitting while listening to audio books, that really is the ultimate combination, knitting + hands-free reading.

Mary Anne Landers said...

Thank you for your post, Kandy. Like you, I LOVE to read!

I've got a TBR pile the size of Mount Everest. That's in old-fashioned books, the kind made from dead trees. And I just bought my first ereader.

I'll never be able to read all the books I want to in this lifetime. But not for lack of trying!

I have a couple of other hobbies, and never enough time to pursue them. One is art. I love images, both pictorial and ornamental.

I dig ornamental art not because I use these images to create my own art. I love it because of the sheer beauty of it. You wouldn't believe how many books of ornamental art I have. Unless, of course, you're into it too.

My other passion is movies. Mostly oldies, of almost all genres. I have quite a few on DVDs. My favorite titles and stars? Too many to list!

I've already got "Something About Joe", so that should go to someone else. I just wanted to leave a comment. Keep up the good work!

Shelley B said...

I don't knit, but my mother always did. In fact, she has been in a group called the Crochet Club for 40 years. They still meet once a month. None of them crochet anymore, arthritis got them. I have many beautiful afghans that I will pass down to my daughters someday. Reading is my only hobby. Thanks!

megblod said...

Reading is my main hobby but I would really like to learn how to either knit or crochet one of these days.

Megblod@yahoo.com

Chrisbails said...

Reading is my main source hobby. I would love to learn how to knit, but have not had the chance. I like to cross-stitch.
I am a big fan of your books and loved Something About JOe. Please do not enter me into the giveaway. I just wanted to post. Love you books and can't wait for the next new book to come out.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Mary Anne, so nice to see you here!
Like you, I have an enormous TBR pile--both physical and cyber--and I have to admit I gloat over them, anticipating how much enjoyment I will have when I get to read them.

How lovely that you get such pleasure from art--visual beauty must be very good for the soul! And I so admire people who can create it.

I love movies too, just never get to see as many as I would like to!

Kandy Shepherd said...

How sad, Shelley, to hear that arthritis got to your mother and her crochet club. How wonderful though, that they have left a beautiful legacy of their nimble-fingered days. And are still good friends.

My mother crocheted too and tried to teach me many times. She said it was much faster than knitting and got quicker results for impatient people like me. However, all I achieved was a string of knots!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Me too, Meglod. It must be very satisfying to do them well. In the meantime, enjoy the wonderful past-time of reading!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Thank you, Chrisbails, for your kind words about SOMETHING ABOUT JOE, I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it!
I admire your ability to cross-stitch, one day I'm going to master that craft.
Of course, in all this talk of knitting versus reading, I forgot to mention that the other reason I don't have time to knit and embroider is because when I'm not reading I'm writing!
I'll keep you posted when my next story comes out!

Malvina said...

Kandy, I love knitting but I can't master anything more than simple stuff, like children's clothes or scarves. I need to be with someone who can undo my mistakes as well, LOL. But cross-stitch and I are great mates. I do it while I watch television. Started when I was having treatment for cancer and made something lovely out of a distinctly unlovely time. But yes, I still need time to read, read, read. Congratulations on your next book!
Malvina
malvina@iinet.net.au