the blue blog archives: those who can't knit

No knitting around here. I'm sick, sick, sick, and my nose is running like a faucet. It's all just a little too yucky for knitting. But I can still plan new projects!

I'm starting to pick a peck or two of Manos to make an afghan for my in-laws for next Christmas. I've never taken on a big afghan project, so I wanted to get as early a start as possible. Hubby has approved the colors above and likes my pattern idea.

I won't be doing stripes, but I just love how the little x forms in the middle of each mitered square! I can't go too wild with pattern because the in-laws have pink and white striped curtains all over their living room. There's no competing with that pattern-wise, so I decided that subtle would be best. Plus, mitered squares are wicked fun! I don't know yet how big to make the squares or how many squares I'll need, but I'm so excited already.

To be honest, I NEVER thought that I'd be doing an afghan project with squares that need to be sewn together, but after I participated in last year's Mason-Dixon Afghan Sew-Up, I've deluded myself into believing that it's possible. I've got twelve months, right?

posted by alison at 10:08 am | in an afghan

Comments

Hope you feel better soon--there's nothing like a new knitting project to make the sniffles seem insignificant!

Posted by: Anita at January 18, 2006 10:35 AM

It is possible! My first big afghan project (with squares like this one) I started in September and finished on Christmas morning at around 3 a.m. It was a fight to the finish (so good job on starting early), but I finished it. The colors on yours are going to be fabulous. I hope you feel better soon!

Posted by: sarah b. at January 18, 2006 10:39 AM

WOW! That is truly a year's project--like you, its the sewing I would dread. I love mitred squares too, they are so cute with the little X in them--and so portable. You could easily have one in the bag always for playground/dr. office kntting. The socks might get jealous though.

Love the project--

Posted by: suzanne at January 18, 2006 10:47 AM

Get well soon! I think you're doing pretty well to be able to plan a project - my mind usually turns to mush.

Posted by: Chris at January 18, 2006 10:57 AM

I've done one big afghan project, and it was fun. It was great spring knitting as it kept me nice and warm during those chilly spring days.

Posted by: Kat at January 18, 2006 10:58 AM

I'd say it's a terrific project to embark, actually I like it so that I'd consider making it on a smaller scale for my kids! ;) Is Rowan's Classic Weekend a book?

Posted by: ~Jo~ at January 18, 2006 11:21 AM

I love those colors they're really fun. Squares are definitly the way to go with an afghan project, doing the whole thing gets soooo cumbersome. Squares are very portsble, good park knitting.

Posted by: MommyknitsJen at January 18, 2006 11:21 AM

you can pick up stitches along the edges of the squares and CO on some to get you to and just keep knitting.. no sewing needed.
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/mitre_sec.shtml has info on how to.
Hope this will work with your pattern and speed your project!
sue t.

Posted by: sue at January 18, 2006 11:21 AM

I hear ya - the past few days I've had what we're officially calling a "chest thing" around here, and even knitting needles seem to heavy to hold!

Posted by: Colleen at January 18, 2006 11:32 AM

Mmm, knitting is never just the action but also the planning and the finishing so yes, you 'knitted' today. ;)

I hope you recover soon!

Posted by: Kit at January 18, 2006 12:05 PM

It's more like ELEVEN months! Get crackin', girl.

Posted by: Chery at January 18, 2006 12:26 PM

I just finished the Rambling Rows Afghan from Cottage Creations in Cascade 220. It was loads of fun and would be really fab with the Manos. I highly recommend it!

Posted by: Kim at January 18, 2006 1:17 PM

So sorry you are sick! Hope you get well fast.
Christmas knitting in January is so wise. You have given me the bug...no not the sniffles, the Christmas knitting bug.

Posted by: Katherine at January 18, 2006 1:29 PM

The afghan I've been working on... took me 8 months from final square completion to sewing up.

http://timothy.org.uk/blog/2006/01/long-overdue-update.php

Posted by: Timothy at January 18, 2006 1:37 PM

I hope you feel better soon! I read your blog regularly and you have some of the most beautiful knits around!!

Posted by: Claudia at January 18, 2006 1:47 PM

I love those colours, the variegated one in the middle is truly beautiful. What a huge project to undertake, I'm looking forward to the square updates..

Posted by: kerrie at January 18, 2006 1:55 PM

that's the way to do it - start 12 months in advance! good looking up!

Posted by: melissa at January 18, 2006 2:14 PM

I have been a silent reader for a long time, though I am 1/2 way through my son's Weasley. . . . I had a great time making a similar TYPE of rug from a pattern from Interweave Knits; it's on the website under "home accessories", I think. It was very geometric to do tho came out very ugly/loud due to my choice of colors. Knit up fast and had the mitre-ing thing going on. Might make more as housewarming gifts. . . .

Posted by: Becky at January 18, 2006 2:18 PM

What is up with this sickness? I'm home from work today and really under the weather too, however I've been perusing looking adn thinking of patterns!

Posted by: RachelH at January 18, 2006 2:22 PM

Feel better. :) The afghan will be lovely and if anyone can finish in record time it's you.

Posted by: Laura at January 18, 2006 2:32 PM

That will be gorgeous! Hope you feel better soon.

Posted by: Shara at January 18, 2006 3:00 PM

Feel better soon!

I just saw Thing 1 and Thing 2 at MagKnits.com. Woo-hoo!

Posted by: Ina at January 18, 2006 3:11 PM

You mean you aren't going to do it as your project for the Knitting Olympics??? ;)

Posted by: Susan at January 18, 2006 4:57 PM

I love, love, LOVE the Manos colors you chose. So beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the finished afghan. Hope you feel better soon!

Posted by: Elizabeth at January 18, 2006 5:16 PM

I hope you feel better! Not knitting is no fun and you've picked beautiful colors. It'd be shame to make them wait longer.

Posted by: Jae at January 18, 2006 7:19 PM

Mmmmm, (Gustav) Klimt-y. Feel better soon. We just got the Longmeadow in and I think Kathy is sending you some soon...

Posted by: Cirilia at January 18, 2006 8:16 PM

I'm working on that blanket too! I was really naughty though, and bought the cashsoft that the pattern calls for. I love the little mitered squares. The pattern is easy to memorize, and they travel around well. We can do it!

Posted by: Kate C at January 18, 2006 10:47 PM

I love the colour combo.Hope you feel better soon=)

Posted by: Kylie at January 19, 2006 3:31 AM

Feel better soon! What a brave soul to knit up an afghan...you are my hero!

Posted by: Phoebe at January 19, 2006 5:23 AM

Gawwwwd, those yarns look sooooo YUMMY!!!!!!

Tell you a secret: I start sniffing at yarns!

Posted by: Elemmaciltur at January 19, 2006 5:32 AM

oh good luck with that. I have a passion for log cabin afghan that I think pattern works used to have and a leafy one from FCEK. doubt i'll ever get to make them though.

Posted by: Orli at January 19, 2006 6:40 AM

I love the colors you chose for the afghan! Here's some info on a semi-local Manos sale: http://www.thefiberloft.com/index.html
if you still need more for your project. I have enjoyed reading your blog for the past few months - your projects are always inspiring!

Posted by: Shannon at January 19, 2006 12:04 PM

Hope you feel better soon! I just got over my own cold after taking most of the items on Norma's "get better stat" list.

Also, have you tried using hankies instead of kleenex? I kinda feel that paper kleenex gives off more fiberous dust which makes me sneeze more, so bucking West Coast tradition, I think I'm going to switch to hankies.

Posted by: freecia at January 19, 2006 5:46 PM