Tag Archives: phryne fisher

An Open Letter

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To the Creators of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries:

Greetings from a huge fan! I love your show. I love the characters. I love that Season 3 is now available through Netflix. The strong female characters, the fashion, and the delightful storytelling. There’s not much I enjoy more after a long day than snuggling up on the couch with a cup of tea (or a stiff Tom Collins), a sock-in-progress, and a new episode of Miss Fisher.

Imagine how excited I was when, in Episode 4, Season 3 there was a knitting story-line! A young street kid has a sweater that had once belonged to his father. When he comes to live with Miss Fisher and Co for a few days (because of reasons), Dot discovers the sweater and offers to re-knit it in his size.DotWhat a fantastic gesture! And totally something that a knitter would do (we are a sentimental lot). Dot rips out the sweater, winds it up and casts on, all in (I think) an evening.

Then- and here is the first problem with this episode- the boy demands (demands!) that Dot finishes the sweater by the next day!Dot3Oh my god! I can’t even.

The gall of someone to demand knitting! Nothing makes me less inclined to keep knitting more than someone demanding knitting, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. If someone comes up to me and says “Make me a hat,” you can bet your best pair of Addi Turbos that I will not be making that person a hat.

But, does Dot respond like a normal knitter- nay, a normal person? No! She just smiles and gives the kid a look that says, “Oh, you scamp.” I know that Dot is an obliging and sweet young lady, but honestly, show a little backbone!Dot4And here’s most ridiculous part:

She actually finishes the sweater the next day!Dot5What?!

Dot’s sweetness and helpfulness aside, that’s just physically impossible. To knit an entire sweater for a 13-year-old boy, seamed, finished and blocked in what is clearly aran weight yarn (a thin worsted, at most) in 24 hours, even without breaks for sleeping, eating, or catching murderers is physically impossible. Seriously? Who fact-checks your knitting?

So, here’s my advice: next time you have a knitting-related storyline, please fact check it with an actual knitter.

Sincerely,

An Avid Fan

PS.  What’s up with Hugh this season? He’s being a butt. Make him stop.

PPS. Where does Phryne get her earrings? I need them.

PPPS. I still love your show.

Inspiration: Inspector Jack Robinson

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Have you guys watched Miss FIsher’s Murder Mysteries yet?  If you haven’t, go watch it now.  I’ll wait.  For real.  Go watch it.  The first two seasons are available on Netflix, and you 100% need to watch them. Do it.

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a show about Phryne Fisher, a lady detective living in Melbourne, Australia in the 1920s.  She is a “thoroughly modern woman” (read: she carries a golden gun, fights for what she believes is right, and entertains a series of “gentlemen callers”).  With her faithful sidekick Dot, and the help of the charming Detective Inspector, Jack Robinson, Miss Fisher kicks butt and takes names, taking down dozens of Melbourne’s worst murderers.  And she does it all with a smile on her face and a sassy quip on her tongue.

And, her outfits.

Capture 3Oh God, her outfits.Capture 4I mean, honestly.Capture 5Just look at them.

Capture 6So gorgeous.

But, while Miss Fisher loves her fur, silk and feathers, she doesn’t wear a lot of knitting.   So, I haven’t been able to bring her up on the blog.  Until, that is, a friend of mine pointed out a  beautifully knitted vest in Season 2, Episode 11 “Dead Air”  (Thanks, Jenny!)

In this episode, Detective Inspector Jack Robinson goes undercover to find a serial arsonist who’s targeting local radio stations.  He “lets his hair down,” which in his case means a tweed jacket and fair-isle vest instead of his usual three-piece suit.

Capture 2They even oblige us with a close-up of his fantastic sweater.  (I suppose they’re really showing a close-up of some evidence, but we can pretend.)CaptureI’m usually against knit vests, but this one might have me changing my mind.  I might even make one for myself (or my husband, though I don’t think he’d wear it).  Let’s look at some Jack Robinson-inspired patterns.

Vaila Slipover by Ann Feitelson

This one’s super classic, and based on a pattern from the 1910s.  I always enjoy historical accuracy in my knitwear.  (Yes, I know that makes me a dork.  I am OK with that.)

 

4894284696_f6c85cef52_z[1]Abbey Mill Farm Vest by Anne Podlesak

I love the color scheme on this one- rich browns, cinnamon reds and sage-y greens.  So pretty!

Front_medium[1]Luke’s Diced Vest by Mary Jane Mucklestone

But this one might be my favorite.  I like the buttons, and the use of three different fair-isle patterns across the front and back.  The styling-not so much.  Why would you wear a knit vest with a T-shirt and jeans?  Come on.

 

lukesvest_z_500_small_best_fit[1]Now, go get your fair isle yarn and turn on Miss Fisher.  I’m not even joking.  Do it.  You’ll thank me.