As our regular readers may remember, my son actually asked for a sweater for Christmas. Well, what with my other Christmas knitting and whatnot, I finally got the yarn in hand and started his sweater a few days ago. The “whatnot” included trying to settle on a color (green) and style, which required many back-and-forth text messages and emails. He sometimes takes days to respond and his answers were not always as specific as I had hoped. Here’s a record of my lack of progress thus far.
1. Work out the design and how the ribbing would flow into it.
I chose to knit his sweater out of City Tweed Heavyweight from Knitpicks because it’s soft and warm, and I thought it would be good in the chill damp of Portland in winter. Bonus: I used this yarn for a sweater for my husband last year, and therefore could use his sweater as a giant gauge swatch.
2. Start knitting. Realize I am not that crazy about it. Glance at calendar; press forward.
3. Notice stupid mistake twelve rows back. (Note to self: must actually look at knitting occasionally.) Fix mistake.
4. Keep plugging away. He comes home late Friday night; I am hoping to be on the sleeves by then.
You are one dedicated mother…. I myself only committed to three additional by-Christmas scarves at Thanksgiving, for nieces.
Hang in there!
Comment by Renay — December 15, 2010 @ 11:57 am
It’s lovely! I can’t wait to hear if it passes the man test.
Comment by Ruth — December 15, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
My full admiration for your courage and knitting skills to frog and redo in such a beautiful way ! 🙂
Comment by ilana hopwood — December 15, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
From Susan — we made the right decision re: the ribbing question of a few days back. It looks really nice! I love the ‘X’s’.
Comment by lv2knit — December 15, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Ok, HOW did you go about that frog/redo? And where can I learn that skill?
Comment by Susan — December 15, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
How do you knit so fast? I thought my speed would pick up since I switched to picking instead of throwing, but three years into the Continental style and I’m nowhere near dreaming of that kind of progress.
Comment by victoria — December 15, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
It is looking great. And you make me so glad I didn’t commit to any deadline knits this holiday.
Comment by twinsetellen — December 15, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
I love the color!
Comment by quinn — December 15, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
I, too, drop everything and comply when my kids request a handknit! I love the City Tweed. It’s nice quality, inexpensive yarn . . . that looks great! Perfect.
Comment by Kym — December 16, 2010 @ 8:20 am
I love the yarn and the way it looks! I’d say your son was very lucky to have such a great Mom knit him such a handsome sweater in such a short time (love the X’s in the pattern). (Maybe he already knows that!!)
Keep up the beautiful work and please show us the finished sweater – maybe being modeled by your son!
Comment by Barb — December 16, 2010 @ 10:07 am
That’s incredible!! He’ll love it. I promise. I’m working on shark mittens, the last of the requested-before-December knits. Then I’ll consider the newer items…
Comment by Lisle — December 16, 2010 @ 11:44 am
What a lucky guy he is! You are one fast, fast knitter. Love the “giant gauge swatch.”
Comment by kmkat — December 16, 2010 @ 9:25 pm
Are you still not crazy about the pattern? I would think that would be the hardest part. It sure looks good, if that’s any consolation. Don’t forget to breathe!
Comment by Chloe — December 16, 2010 @ 11:24 pm
Its really stunning. Besides, tweed knitting must be in the air!
Comment by Needles — December 17, 2010 @ 7:08 am