Am I the only one who feels like summer is so fast paced it is hard to catch your breath?  I am on a whirlwind, let me tell ya! And knitting is not even a part of it!
Hubby has been working a lot of OT, which puts me into “single parent” territory (a sympathetic shout out to all of you who handle this full time — I will try not to whine ;)). Knitting takes a back seat when you are driving!
So, I am going to pull out past projects at the suggestion of Marina.  I have nothing new to share, but can’t let the weight of the B::L::O::G fall solely on Surly’s delicate but capable shoulders.
Here is the first sweater I ever made.  I took this walk down memory lane way back in the early days of our blog, but most of you probably missed our early posts. Please don’t hate me for serving up re-heated blog.
There are so many things wrong with this sweater that’s it’s hard to list them all. Let’s just say that “buy enough yarn in the same dye lot to complete your project” was advice that fell on deaf and inexperienced ears. Who knew 100% acrylic was so “dye-lot sensitive?”
I wore this sweater constantly in college:
I was such a little seamstress back then that I used a sewing machine to whip this puppy together (no, I’m not kidding!).  This was my first cable experience and at the end of it I was convinced that I knew everything there was to know about knitting. Period. I was a total expert — oh, brother! “Do not wash wool in the washing machine as felting will occur” was additional advice that seemed to go right over my head!
My mom made this sweater for me in 6th grade. I absolutely love it:
I like to try and figure out stitch patterns when I encounter something unusual, but I have not been able to decipher this one.Â
And just look at the buttonholes — hey, maybe this is why I thought you could use a sewing machine to put knitted garments together!
So Sally and I were exposed to very lovely knitting at an early age. It seemed like a very normal past-time. We both started out by knitting sweaters — no scarves, hats or mittens — though of course we branched out along the way. To this day, I prefer sweaters to all other knitting, and I think that is true of Sally as well (though she did go through that lengthy “shawl phase”).
I hope to get back on the knitting horse again soon — I need my fix! 😉
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Sadly, my summer has come to an end, too. Wednesday is the “Teacher Work Day,” and Thursday school/work starts again. Not enough knitting time remains.
So brave of you to show us some of your “mistakes” and early projects I’ve taken to storing mine in the open area built-in above my closet. Out of sight is out of mind. I can’t decide if I need to pack them for the move to the new house. Is it really worth the effort for something that I don’t really want to look at? But still, how can I part with them? Some of these things are not even worth donating to charity clothing drives. Ughhhh 🙂
Comment by Denise — August 6, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
I have been feeling the impending end of summer myself lately. What ever happened to July? Last I remember it was June.
Comment by kmkat — August 6, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
So, why do you still have the red and white sweater? Except for the intarsia and Fair Isle, I think I’ve donated 80% of the rest, after one season.
So lucky to have such a brilliant mentor!
Comment by Marina — August 6, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
From Susan to Marina — I saved the Red and White because it was my first. For some reason I could not part with it. I discarded many others over the years (too unstylish and/or cheesy to save or donate).
And it really does feel like summer is [essentially] over 🙁
Comment by lv2knit — August 7, 2007 @ 12:02 am
Why is it that by the first day of Summer (June 21) we think it’s the middle of summer and that the 1st of August belies Autumn when Autumn doesn’t start until around Sept. 22? Maybe our phoney belief that Summer only exists between Memorial Day and Labor Day??? Love seeing some of your personal knitting history!
Comment by Nancy — August 7, 2007 @ 12:38 am
I think they’re all amazing… even the red/white one. Your mother’s stitch looks very labor intensive. Hope that Autumn is gentle to you and your family. It will be summer here until at least October 1, even if school starts August 27.
Comment by PainterWoman — August 7, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Susan- Thanks for the sentimental journey- they are lovely in their own way.
You know, the ribbon facing is a great idea. My Aunt made my sister and I matching
turquoise cardigans (we’re twins) with our names embroidered in them.
I wish I still had mine.
Comment by Lorraine — August 7, 2007 @ 9:03 am
What a sweet sweater your Mom made for you. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Jewel — August 7, 2007 @ 9:27 am
I love the 6th grade sweater. So were the buttonholes made on the sewing machine, or are they knitted, with the facing just having machine buttonholes that match up? I would be terrified to try to do buttonholes on my knitting! Sewing machines pretty much hate me. (it might be mutual)
Comment by Tamara — August 7, 2007 @ 10:32 am
What fun to see your early knitting and knitting inspiration! My mom neither knits or sews (except a little hand hemming). Well, I taught her to knit not too long ago, with interesting (but unwearable) results. She does do some cross-stitch now and then.
I recently came across one of my “early” sweaters, maybe I’ll put that one up on the blog.
Comment by AuntieAnn — August 7, 2007 @ 11:47 am
From Susan — The buttonholes were made by machine. That is how I made my first buttonholes as well — just like Mom! I still have that sweater too. I’ll pull it out and add a picture of my buttonholes. It is traumatic to make them with a sewing machine, but they can be ripped out carefully if necessary, but only before cutting. Yes, you do cut the knitting when you make the BHs by machine! 🙁
Comment by lv2knit — August 7, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
My shawl phase is not over. It’s just on hiatus. And I have two beautiful new shawl pins from Romi so I think that means I have to knit two more shawls. Right?
Comment by surly — August 7, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
From Susan to Surly: What?? You bought shawl pins and did not post a picture? And is one of them for moi? I believe your current collection of shawls will cover the use of two shawl pins 😉
Comment by lv2knit — August 7, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
Personally, I’m loving the buttonhole idea. Having not attempted a sweater yet, I can’t say for sure that button holes are hard, but I’ve seen enough of everyone else’s problems with them out in Blogland to get that feeling. Sure, the purists might burn me at the stake… that’s a chance I’ll take.
I may feel differently about this in two years when making my first buttonholes. It may be a matter of pride by then; I rather suspect so.
Comment by Susan — August 7, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
The whole year seems to be flying by! Actually, your older knits are tons better than mine now! And your mom’s knit sweater is a beauty! How nice that you still have it!
Comment by Carol — August 8, 2007 @ 2:34 pm