The holidays are done, the decorations packed away, the naughty foods either eaten or disposed of. And so I settled in, not for a long winter's nap, but to get back to my own selfish knitting, having tried my patience with so much giving away of things I really wanted to keep.
However, DH has been waiting patiently for a long time. Three years ago, I gave him a box full of yarn and promised him a sweater. The yarn has since moved from the box into a bag and a gauge swatch was knit. Thus endeth the progress on the sweater.
Given that it's been three years, and given that we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary last month, it does seem time to crack out that there sweater yarn and git goin'. I've never done a sweater, but hey, I've got to try sometime, right? No time like the present.
That was my happy plan for the time after Christmas. Well, as soon as I finished that pesky second Monkey sock. Said sock is well on its way to completion.
Then yesterday, my older brother (actually, only brother, but still--important to note that he's older, yes?) called with some exciting news: he and his GF got engaged this weekend and are going to be married in September!
This is quite exciting. His GF is a lovely woman and the potential for a nice long happy marriage is high.
So of course I start thinking about knitting. After all, they've both been married before, have adult children, etc., so as far as household items, they've got 'em. Really, then, a lovely handknit something-or-other would be in order.
But what?
Let's recap: I'm way overdue to make DH his long-ago-promised sweater.
I'm a very slow knitter who, at this moment, has some tender tendons that need coddling.
I have a short attention span.
What shall I knit them? I'm not even thinking I'll make it by September, but as a "your first Christmas together" gift.
Thoughts? Ideas? Patterns?
This is my only sibling, you understand, and I'm rather fond of him. The same sibling who had a massive stroke less than two years ago. Celebratory is definitely in order.
HELP!
How about since you already have the yarn, the pattern and the swatch for husbby's sweater you start knitting the sweater while you contemplate the project for your brother. Usually works for me I get bored with the project I'm working on and start scheming my next one.
Posted by: Kelle | January 10, 2010 at 03:03 PM
We make cool commemorative platters, http://fromskilledhands.com/commemorative-platters/
Kudos to all :-)
Posted by: debra | January 08, 2010 at 08:40 AM
So dishcloths are out? Which is what I'd probably knit. They are pretty special.
And DH was promised a sweater....
Posted by: Carrie K | January 06, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Could you make the bride a nice shawl?
Posted by: Guinifer | January 05, 2010 at 08:41 PM
A knitting friend told me it was a Scandinavian custom to give mittens as wedding presents. She put their initials on the cuff of one, and their wedding date on the cuff of the other:
http://knittingunderwater.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/fo-wedding-mittens/
Posted by: Cheryl S. | January 05, 2010 at 02:39 PM
If you are up for an afghan, this one I made years ago is perfect for a short attention span:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kmkat/afghan-colinette
Each square (which is started by picking up stitches from a previous one, so there is none of that annoying sewing up at the end) starts with 25 st and takes <1hour. I loved making it because of the modular nature. It becomes a nice lap-warmer, too, towards the end. I'll send you the pattern if you are interested. Mine was a kit, so I don't have the exact yardages needed but that is something you could easily figure out.
Posted by: kmkat | January 05, 2010 at 10:10 AM
His and her socks? A special afghan?
Posted by: Chris | January 05, 2010 at 08:30 AM
I suppose you'll hit me if I suggest a tablerunner like the one I just made...hey, it's smaller than an afghan!
Posted by: Miss T | January 05, 2010 at 07:41 AM
How about one of those log cabin afghans from Mason Dixon? The blocks should be quick enough to keep you entertained. Putting it together might be a bitch, though.
Posted by: Carole | January 05, 2010 at 05:55 AM
An afghan is a great gift in my opinion for a first Christmas together - something they can cuddle up with - I will also be making another in 2010 for our downstairs living room so Im in search for a new afghan pattern. What is hubby's sweater gonna be? Im making hubby's twice because of frogging so it is my belief that I made him two sweaters which makes it no longer an overdue item that was promised.
Posted by: kristi | January 05, 2010 at 05:26 AM
His and Hers hand knit socks.
Posted by: Jeanne | January 04, 2010 at 11:07 PM
How about a sampler afghan--done in short bursts. The Great American Aran Afghan is a likely heirloom they're sure to share and appreciate. (Buy pattern book from Amazon)
Moderne Log Cabin blanket is a nice idea, too. That one is all one stitch (garter) and done in natural yarns, it could be stunning. Here is the link to the free pattern:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moderne-log-cabin-blanket
How exciting.
Happy knitting!
Posted by: rudee | January 04, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Oh man, I suck at coming up with knitted wedding/engagement gifts. But that's awesome that they're getting hitched!
And congrats on 20 years. Cripes, 10 seems like a long time!
Posted by: bezzie | January 04, 2010 at 08:50 PM
Personally I could never commit to more than a nice kitchen set of dishcloths, towels & the whatnot's Could even pair them with all the things needed to make some awesome meal at home & call it a wedding gift.
Or an afgan, but heck knows I'd never finish something like that. Ever.
Posted by: cursingmama | January 04, 2010 at 08:43 PM