Friday, February 12, 2010

Knitting and The Little Engine Mentality

My daughter, Sarah  recently made the most gorgeous cardigan. I've knit hats and scarves and bears and even a baby sweater, but making yourself a cardigan or sweater - well, that's a REAL knitter in my book, or at least that's the bar I set for me to feel like I can say I'm really, really a knitter.

I've been looking for the perfect pattern, one that's not too intimidating but not boring. It can't make me look bulky or matronly. It has to look cute with jeans or nice slacks, be worn almost year 'round. That's gonna be a challenge, moving to Texas.

Alas, I just couldn't find the perfect pattern. But look how cute Sarah's pattern is! So I decided to copy her, make the same one she did. Not that I'll ever wear mine while standing next to her, wearing hers. She's tiny and a much more advanced knitter. But at least she can answer the 99 questions I'm bound to have once I start clicking needles to make this. (I've found this theory to work well with cell phones and computers too - buy exactly what your kids have and they can answer all your techy questions.)



Drats! They stopped carrying it here in the States. What? Order internationally? Oh my, I've never done that! Then I decided there was probably no good reason I couldn't do just that, since they seemed to have the pattern in abundance there (where it originated.) I went online, found it, saw the price but had no clue how much '4.90 pounds' including shipping was. L.O.V.E. Google - within seconds I found out it was $7.65, which ends up being less expensive than what Sarah paid here in the States. (I did have to pay an additional 90 cent foreign rate exchange fee on my credit card bill.)



It arrived in a little over a week! All the way from England! with super fun postage on the envelope! Getting this envelope in the mail is the closest I've come to relating to Princess Diana who I had a deep, abiding affection for. (And yes, I know I'm cheesy, but every little girl has a princess hiding somewhere inside her.) I walked to my mailbox and there it was, easy as pie.

Yesterday I went to my favorite local yarn store and with some help from the owner we decided on 15 balls of this beautiful yarn. It's Gedifra yarn in the color 'Fiorista red', light worsted mostly cotton. Perfect! The color is a rich coral. I'd been saving my allowance for this purchase, and was very happy to cash in my filled up frequent shopper card. I somewhat understand what the owner did with her calculator to figure out how much I needed. That lesson can cement better another day. Learning to knit can be a bit like peeling an onion, one layer at a time. I don't have to peel away all the layers today.


Actually knitting it - that's a whole 'nuther ball of wax (or yarn.) Just like the little engine, pulling up that hill, (with someone pushing from behind) I think I can..... I think I can..... I told my daughter, aka knitting teacher, if I die anytime soon, please tell Dad to let me leave this world in the sweater, since the yarn cost more than anything else in my closet. It should look fabulous with a cream t-shirt and my favorite jeans.

17 comments:

My Purpose: said...

Can't wait to see it! I'm sure it will look great. Maybe I'll even get to see it take shape next week during out little stay-cation! :)

Bev said...

Hurray - are we on for 'stay-cation'? I bought the waffle iron yesterday, so tell Jer I'm armed with breakfast supplies. Should be such fun and we'll get those window treatments of yours whipped up in no time too. And maybe Olive Garden, and maybe a girl movie.....

Karen said...

Oooohh, L.O.V.E. the color!! I can imagine your nervousness at doing it, but I know you can, I know you can, I know you can! Can't wait to see the finished product--you must model it, you know?! Love and blessings, Karen

Cheri said...

So far I can only knit squares and rectangles. I am very impressed with your taking on this sweater.

Can't wait to see it - love the color!

Susan said...

Good for you stepping up to a challenge like that. I'll be eager to follow the progress. Love the color!!!

Susanne said...

Love, love, love that color and the pattern. It's gonna look great. Have fun making it.

Robin said...

Oh Bev - it's going to be gorgeous! I'm really proud of you for tackeling such a project! I have a pattern AND the yarn for a pretty coat-length sweater but I've been to afraid to start it! You will be lending me inspiration.

And I too, loved Princess Diana. I remember staying up all night so I could watch her wedding. Alas, it was in the days before DVR!

Kelly said...

The color is gorgeous and I love the pattern- nothing frumpy about that:-) Can't wait to see it taking shape, please share your progress.

Karen said...

I was recently thinking about starting a sweater myself. I have only knitted basic items also. Except I made a pig recently from Itty Bitty Toys. That was really challenging, but I never gave up. You Tube has become a friend to me. Ha No really, if you haven't used it yet - try it out. I am a hands on learner and sometimes I just can't figure out a stitch from a book. sigh You can type in anything about a stitch or say piecing together a sweater and voila you get many responses. It's nice because you can watch the video over and over if you need to. It has also been helpful with teaching myself to quilt. BTW Sarah is one amazing girl. Such an inspirating to many of us on many levels. You must be so proud of her. Blessings!

Sarah said...

Mom, I love the color! Just right for jeans and a white tee--you'll be very proud of yourself when you're finished, even if you don't block it. ;)

Gretchen said...

That yarn just makes me happy! Lurve the coral. On your skin and with your hair color, it will just look gorgeous! I'm anxious to see your progress. Do consider documenting all your major steps. :)

MotherT said...

That certainly looks like a fun project. I can't wait to see pics as you go along. (Please???)

I can knit, but I prefer to sew or crochet. I wonder if I could find crochet instructions for that??? hmmm Must go see.

Unknown said...

It certainly will look fabulous! I can't wait to see it finished. A cotton sweater is perfect anytime of the year ... indoors in the summer (air conditioning, especially in the south) and outdoors in the winter (in Texas of course!)

Enjoy the project!

Linda said...

I love it Bev!! It is just perfect.
I am sure you can do it. It's all just a matter of knitting and purling in the right places :-)
It's really fun to do something that's a little challenging.
Happy knitting!

Renna said...

Bravo for you, Bev! I can identify with all you said. I still think of myself as a knitter wannabee, as I've not yet tackled a sweater. If I thought I'd ever wear it, I might be motivated enough to take the plunge; but between my hot flashes and my top-heaviness, sweaters and me, we don't mesh well.

Oh, and hey, I got a blackberry curve, 'cause that's what my son has, and I knew I'd never figure it out on my own. ;-Þ

Bev said...

Cheri - if you can knit squares and rectangles you can knit the baby sweater in Susan Anderson's first book! Robin - knit along with me and we'll compare / encourage. And Kelly - great idea, I'll post as I go since this is probably going to take awhile.

Bev said...

And Renna, you make me giggle!