A New Project

Here's my new project. I'm going to start making a sweater. I have knit many things that don't have to fit (afghans, scarves...) but have only knit one sweater and that was many years ago. Of course, once I got the yarn home and went through my knitting needles, I didn't have the right size - so the yarn will have to wait until I find time to purchase them. Hoping to have a sweater finished before next winter. We'll see...

Knitting

I was once an avid knitter, having created over three dozen afghans which I presented to many friends and relatives. My mother always had a project on the go - most much more complex than anything I have made. She dressed us all in her handmade sweaters. I never tried anything that had to fit. Afghans, scarves, ponchos (it was the 70s) were my specialty.

This afghan was my big challenge - a complex fisherman knit pattern. It was a gargantuan task but I did it! I made it for my husband who died just a couple of years later (1982). It languished for a while in a cupboard as did my ardor for knitting. And then finally, I started to use it. A few years ago I started to knit a bit again and am now thinking of embarking on a new project. Maybe I'll actually try my hand at a sweater.

Handmade articles come with so many memories, of the creating, or the one who created it and of those who used it. The combination adds extra warmth as the stories weave together with the stitches. As I lie under the afghan, embraced by its history, I can feel my mother's guidance when I learned to knit, my own struggles with the complexity of creating, my love and loss. And the new stories created since I pulled out the blanket and started to use it again.

Bundled Up

Bundled Up, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's always fun to come across the unexpected. I photographed this sculpture last winter, but this year I had a surprise. Some kind soul had knitted a hat and scarf to keep this fellow warm.



I'm not sure it warmed him up, but it certainly made me smile. It has been a very cold winter. I'm getting tired of walking around like a turtle, with my head pulled into my coat as much as possible. When the weather warms we stand up straighter. It will come.... but when?

Nearly finished

Nearly finished, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I've been working on this blanket for several months. I just have one more strip to knit. While I will be glad to finish it, I am wondering, "What next?" Knitting relaxes me, especially as I make things that don't have to fit.

My mother was an expert knitter, making countless sweaters in every possible pattern. when we were young, she made mittens and socks. While I have embarked on complex patterns for afghans, I have never had to worry about how something would fit at the end of the endeavour.

But soon I will need a new project...

A New Project

A New Project, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Back in the days before children I was an ardent knitter - knitting afghans by the dozen. My friends each got one for one occasion or another. I never knit things that had to fit (well I did make one sweater) - but stuck with things that would look good as long as I followed the pattern. After children came along my time was used differently. But now I've decided to go back to it.

I've started yet another afghan - this one is done in strips. It should keep me going for a while - but the weather is warming up so hopefully this will be done by the autumn when it will come in handy. Psst - don't tell anyone - it's for my daughter.

Jan 21/10: Knitting

Jan 21/10: Knitting, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was at a party over the holidays and I saw someone who was wearing a scarf that spiralled. Her mother had provided the pattern and my interest was piqued. I haven't really done any knitting in almost thirty years. My knitting motto was always to knit things that didn't have to fit, so I made afghan after afghan. All my friends received one as a gift at one time or another. I'm getting somewhat fed up with this scarf - not finding it very inspiring.If my daughter doesn't want it, it's going in the bag for the homeless. Someone will make good use of it. But it has inspired me to go back to knitting. Next up - an afghan of course.