Two years ago, Nolemana and I spent a weekend on Fox Island up in the Puget Sound, Washington, area. While there, of course I had to check out at least one yarn shop, so we took the cute ferry over to Tacoma and then drove out to Lamb’s Ear Farm, where I had a wonderful time checking out all the great stuff. Nolemana is wonderful about letting me browse, and patiently follows me around and sometimes even checks things out on his own. In a moment of guilt madness because we were in a yarn store, I blithely suggested to him that I could make him a sweater, and told him he could even choose his own yarn. Off he went. I didn’t really think he’d do it. I continued on my fiber quest, but not 15 minutes later, Nolemana came up to me, arms full of yarn, and said, “Look what Roxie helped me find!”
He had a number of skeins of a multi-colored yarn that he just loved, with shades of blues, greens and tans that would match the slacks and shirts that he wears. He also had a pattern that Roxie assured him was good for a sweater newbie like me.“Well, okay”, I thought, “I did offer, after all”. I thought I might actually be able to do it, even though I’d never knit a sweater before (or even socks at that point). We took the purchases back to our B and B, and I looked over the pattern. Sure enough, it looked do-able. I started it, not even fearing the famous curse of the love sweater, because, after all, we’re already married. Then things happened, and I laid it down as my ever-fickle fingers decided they wanted to knit something else for awhile.
The two rows of sweater looked beseechingly at me from their Lantern Moon knitting bag every time I passed by. I didn’t feel like knitting a sweater. It was summer. Too hot. I knit mostly in public, and the pattern needed concentration. “Later!”, I told them, and went on knitting socks, blankets and scarves.
I began to feel guilty about not doing any more work on the sweater. So I picked it up once again and began knitting. And then I found an unfixable mistake and had to frog the whole thing. I was not happy. But I started yet again.Then I had to knit the baby blankets for three new babies. That wouldn’t wait. The sweater wept in its knit bag. It pleaded with me to please pick it up again. I began to wonder if it needed an anti-depressant. Nolemana began to wonder if I was ever going to get his sweater finished. I began to feel very, very guilty.
Then came the New Year, and the once-a-month “preparing for Christmas” gatherings with my friends. I decided to make a list of all my UFO’s (Unfinished Objects)”, and the sweater was at the top of my list. I would finish it for Nolemana for Christmas 2007!
I picked up the pathetic two rows today and took a look. I hadn’t marked my pattern. I wasn’t sure where I’d left off. The stitch count had to be perfect. So the sound of “rippitt, rippitt” once again filled the air. I cast on again, and now have 4 rows done. Not a lot. But the yarn isn’t crying anymore and Nolemana is pleased that I’m really working on his sweater. I figure if I write about it on the blog, it’ll help me keep going. Part One. Two frogs. Four rows. But it’s a start!
What is da pink rings fo? Az markas or something?
2 frogs, 4 rows…a good beginning indeed! anden 3rd is the keeper one
Yea, the pink rings mark certain number of stitches. Cuz I gotta keep count; oddawise going come all hamajang!
Mahalo , Julie! U get to watch the WIP!
What a cute story! It sounds like me and some of the sweaters I have promised my husband. I finally was sucessful and finished one the other day. He was as happy as a little boy at Christmas. I guess I will have to pull two more out of knitting stash that I have started for him and put away for to finish until a later day.. Thanks for sharing!
I knew if I blinked my baby blue eyes at Mokihana enough times that she would finally break down and say OK, I guess I had better finish the sweater for my sweetie. Seriously, she has been very busy, but I knew that she would eventially start working on it. I am looking forward to wearing the finished product. I am very proud of the skills that she has developed with her knitting. Thanks Mokihana. Your the best, cute too.