Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Daunting Knitting

sister's sylvi 1

I have a HUGE list of things I want to knit as gifts for the holidays this year. I don't know that my fingers and wrists will be able to handle it without needing surgery by the end, lol. But I am excited about it. Really, really. There are baby sweaters, kid sweaters, mittens, and oh my stars... my most daunting project to date, a coat. I highly doubt I will get it all done, but if I can finish half of my to-do list, I will be over the moon.

I love my sister. I love her a lot. She is probably the best friend I have, and there isn't much I wouldn't do for her. How do I show her how much I love her? I make her things. She is always the first person I think of when I see a new knitting project. I wonder, "would Bonnie like that?" Yes, she is a blog reader too, and probably won't like me talking about her like this, but oh well sister, deal with it. It's my blog and I'll type if I want to.

Sister's gift this year is a coat. She knows this. I first showed her "Sylvi" in the spring. I knew the minute I saw it I would make it for her. I found some great yarn and started it the other day.

OH MY STARS, what an even bigger undertaking then I thought!! Y'all that are familiar with knitting know about "charts", right? (see my laptop screen in the image below) Each block represents a stitch and you read it back and forth following the chart "key" at different points to create the twist and cables of the design on the back. I have never done a project with a chart and I picked a hell of a chart to start with. It is two pages long with more then 157 rows. It is crazy and it is taking every single neuron in my brain to tackle it. HA! When I am looking at it and trying to figure something out it reminds me of something I read about stimulating an infant's brain and growing synapses, literally growing their brains. Yeah, I think I am growing my brain right now. Told you there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my sister.

sister's sylvi 2

Here is hoping I get it done!

And for those that have been asking... YES I will be posting jewelry from this past weekend's show on my website!! YOO HOOO!! I will start listing it tomorrow or Friday so stay tuned.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kerry,
Your sister is so lucky,that is a beautiful pattern. Your talents amaze me. Handmade gifts are the best gifts to give.
Marcia B.

Jenn said...

Ah, you knitting glassworkers are torturing me with the fab creations you can knit while I'm still in scarfland. One of these days. One of these days.

Gardanne said...

Like Jenn I am still in scarfland hoping to enter fingerless glove land. That sweater is stunning, and I have seen your sister, she will be even more of a head turner in that creation.

Holly said...

I love that coat. I can't follow charts on the computer. I have to print the and work out a sliding bookmark system. You are a genius brain farmer.

Good luck!

rosebud101 said...

Wow! You really do love your sister a lot! She's one lucky woman! Gorgeous coat!

Cindy said...

Okay that chart was over the top, but if anybody can do it, YOU can! The sweater coat is amazing. I'm rooting for you to finish it because Bonnie WILL love it!

Ellen said...

Ker - I don't know if you've ever knitted the finger-less gloves or not but one of the women who participated in my open house last Sat. sold every single pair she had.