Ever since Max first pulled me in his MGB, I've occasionally had to play second fiddle in his heart to weekends like this one. My husband has a secret, one which means he spends his evening thumbing through magazines with scantily clad ladies in them and likes to go and stare at oiled and shiny bodies. Old bodies. Or old body work, to put a finer point on it.
Yes, I'm married to a classic car fanatic and the 30 years worth of Motorsport magazines, complete with delicious ladies draped on bonnets to sell cars are his contribution to the clutter in the family home. Admittedly it's a small contribution, but he does have every issue of it for 30 years THREE TIMES (count 'em) over.
But I don't mind. Once upon a time I even used to go and stare at cars with him to show I cared, till I realised I lacked interest to such an extent that I'd find myself admiring someone's Volvo in the paddock at Silverstone. I had children instead, allowing me to stay home and do wifely things like knit and home make 😉
The Goodwood revival has an unofficial dress code of 40's/50's ish and to my astonishment, my quiet and unassuming husband who can in no way be persuaded to be a Tudor, really goes for it and this year, he's pulled out all the stops. I suppose those things become events where you stand out more if you don't than if you do. Just before we went on holiday he looked up period tank tops, discovered they would set him back £60-80 and asked me if I could knit him one. Once I had made clear that I am psychologically unsuited to fair isle and unlikely to ever change, we agreed on a faked version, using some variegated wool. The Adriafil Van Gogh colour seemed close enough, so I found a pattern in the same book I made a cardigan from and knitted while we were away on holiday and all of last week too. It's quite restful, knitting while driving (being driven!) and so it all got done, with a nice dark band on the collar and arms.
I quite like knitting tank tops. No sleeves, nasty tricksy things that they are, being all big and long when thy should be small and quick. No more things with sleeves for me.
He's a tricky man to get a good photo of these days. Here he is, looking all northern and like his brother. Can't you just tell why I fell in love? 😉 he rocks that cravat and tank top 🙂
It was quite funny, knitting this while out and about; people kept trying to be nice about it, but I have to say that lovely as that wool is, it's made for hats, gloves and scarves, not tops 🙂
While we were away I also made this for Bene, the latest in my 'cardigans in various sizes from the same pattern for the family small people' range. I was pleased with my knitting this time, though I swear I will swing for button holes; need someone to teach me that properly.
Now I'm on to socks and a cardigan for myself in impossibly gorgeous manos yarn. On nom nom.
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In this photo, your lovely husband looks quite a bit like my ex-husband! Lovely cardigan for Bene, I have completely given up on knitting unless its blankets. I cannot do garments! Except booties, cos they are super easy!
I LOVE it! I think it’s a great way to imitate fair isle. (Makes a note). Bene’s cardigan is beautiful too. He’s a lucky lad. I keep meaning to have another go at socks too, but I never really got to grips with knitting in the round. Very much in awe of home knitted socks for that very reason.
I would love to be able to knit like this. The last one is just so sweet, the colours are lovely.