Is That Mine?
Today is a very big day. Very, very big. Today is the day that I took the first step in achieving one of my 2009 goals. Remember, the word resolution is not being used here.
As documented previously, I am a great project starter and a terrible finisher. My feeling was that if I didn’t get a handle on this, instead of being an old lady with 247 cats in her house, I’d have 247 WIPS. So at the first of the year, I decided to sort through my UFO’s, discarding those that I just didn’t care about anymore (we all know those would never be finished) and focusing on the 8 or so that still intrigued me.
I had one secret project I had work on which I did flying to and fro to TNNA and completed. Then it was onto one of the UFO’s. I chose the top-down sweater that was started long, long ago as one of our original KALs on the podcast. I was all the way to the body, but just couldn’t overcome the round and round and round of stockinette to get it done.
Until now:
Late yesterday I bound off and today I wove in the ends! As I was binding off the last of the stitches (I started in the car waiting to pick-up the kids and immediately jumped back in when we got home) Jackson came over to where I was sitting. Let me share with you the exchange:
Jackson: Whatcha doin’?
Me: Finishing a project.
Jackson: What is it? (it was crumpled in my lap in bind-off mode so difficult to recognize)
Me: (finishing the bind-off and holding it up) A sweater!
Jackson: Oh, that’s nice. {pause – which I paid not attention to because I was too smitten with my FO}
Jackson: Is it for me?
Me: {paaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuusssssssssssseeeeeeeeee}
Jackson: (touching my finished sweater) It’s really, really soft too.
Me: uh-huh
Jackson: Can I try it on?
Me: {silence as I hand him the sweater)
He puts on the sweater and you know what? It’s a bit big – but in that totally cool, very adorable, slightly oversized, I’m-so-cute-you-can’t-handle-it sort of way. Jonathan calls him over to check it out and give it his “is it spikey test?” which his personal test of all yarns softness. He declares it looks good on Jackson but is too spikey. Jackson disregards his finicky little brother and declares he is quite pleased with the sweater I knit for him.
Hmm. He goes off to hockey practice and I stew abit. So much for the crocheted trim – that won’t do. But I realize if I don’t have to put on the trim, all I have to do is weave in the ends and this baby is d.o.n.e.
So today, I took care of the ends. Afterwards, I put on the sweater:
Nice – it fits and the edging will give the sleeves and body just the length I wanted and the finished touch.
I come home and show Jackson the sweater. He’s tickled his sweater is done and wants to try it on:
Too cute. Might have to fiddle a bit with the neckline, but put a turtleneck under it and I might not be able to stand it and his cuteness. It’s over. The sweater is his. I’m all good – even pretty thrilled he likes/wants/will wear the sweater. And – I’ve got a plan.
Jackson is growing. Fast. With any luck, I am not. That means in a year or so, that sweater of mine will be too small on him. If cared for, I will simply take back the sweater, add the planned trim and enjoy it after it has spent it’s time with Jackson.
Perfect.
Kathy
Note: I am in the process of changing the software that drives the comments section. I want to make it easier for us to all talk to each other, respond, have conversations. Take commenting to the next level. Currently, all previous comments are MIA and I am hoping they will come back and that this is just a minor glitch. Bear with me as we make this transition together. I promise it will be worth it!
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February 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I’m the same way.. I’ll end up as ‘crazy yarn lady,’ (Instead of crazy cat lady) I think I have more things OTN than I have completed! LOL!
February 5th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
It’s beautiful! Er, um, I mean it looks very MANLY!
😉
xoxo
Lain
February 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
LOL! You are blessed with having a child that WANTS a hand knit item, Kathy. I wouldn’t knock it. And as you said, boys sure grow fast…
February 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Maybe there will be a nice place for all of us “crazy yarn ladies” to live together. Our own little communie. We can then have our kitties too!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
How lucky am I on the color? The ruffly crochet trim would have totally brought it in another direction!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
That I am 🙂 I’ve knit a couple of small things for them both in the past as have others without much interest. Although, I do have to say, Jackson always enjoyed wearing the sweaters his Nana B (Steve’s mom) knit for him when he was little. He is his grampa’s little business man. If Jackson isn’t running the show someday, I’ll be shocked.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
An absolutely precious story — I’m sure it’s good to know your handknitted item will get lots of loving!
(PS – I just started following the podcast, is the pattern for this sweater still available?? I hadn’t seen it over by the other Podcast details)
February 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Thanks! I’ll look and if not, I have it. It’s all from measurements and I can easily forward it to you. Email me a kathy DOT elkins AT yarn DOT com with your address and I’ll send it to you tomrrow . Can you open a pdf?
February 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I *love* your plan re: the sweater, Kathy. It looks great on both of you! (I love the new comments, too. I’ll email you re: the old ones.)
February 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Love the sweater! Personally, I’d rather 247 kitties and doggies over even 2 knitting projects. I’m following your projects to see when the sweater/vest that was started last summer is completed.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
you could. you know…CAST ON A SECOND ONE!!!!
February 5th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Great plan! I’ve had similar ones myself…
February 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am
You’re such a good mom! My resolution for 2009 is to knit something for ME that I get to KEEP!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I {heart} my new comments in a way more than I probably should but I do! Appreciate the help!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Oh no! Pressure!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Um – you are not following along. The goal is to reduce existing projects. There are “new” projects that I have to add in because of the podcast, etc. No new for me until I get a handle on the existing ones.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I want to see pictures of what you make for yourself!
February 6th, 2009 at 11:03 am
No pressure – it just seemed as though you were moving right along with the hardest part (the front) and I thought for sure it would be ready for my birthday 🙂
February 6th, 2009 at 11:03 am
What are you thiking about making?
February 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
HA!! That is so funny! And hopelessly cute, but don’t tell J1 =)
It reminds me of this (hockey related) post: http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?p=168
I love the image of Steve the Blur in the background–pretty much my mental image of Steve, picking orders at warp speeds!
February 6th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
But Kathy, why can’t you and Jackson _share_ the sweater? It looks good on both of you!
February 7th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Hey, Kathy, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing!!! What an accomplishment!
I know the actual possession of the sweater was rather short-lived. . . ; we moms get lots of practice at being good sports, don’t you think? Still, I think your plan (waiting for Jackson to outgrow it) is a good one.
Which UFO is next?
February 7th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
We could, but I had intended to put a ruffle-y crochet trim on the cuffs and around the bottom. Somehow I don’t think he’d be very interested in wearing it that way 🙂
February 7th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I’m going to do the next Ready, Set, Knit KAL project and I have a 2 projects I have to do for the next taping of Knitting Daily TV which is in March. I’ve done a bit of work on the Blue Sky Alpaca Scarf, but that will have to be tabled for now. I’m thinking once I get past these three projects I’m going to go back to the Staghorn Cabled Tunic.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks! That blog was not on my radar and it should have been!
I was wondering if anyone was going to notice Steve in the background 🙂
February 13th, 2009 at 7:21 am
very nice. good luck with the plan! 😉
February 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
just came over from knit purl girl – nice blog! and it’s cool that everybody wins in this sweater scenario ; you get to finish a project, your son gets a sweater, and youg et a sweater! just don’t let him wear it while eating spaghetti…
February 16th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Fortunately he’s a pasta/butter kid 🙂 Thanks for visiting and commenting! Come by again 🙂