Friday, January 13, 2006

Those Who Can't Do, Post

Since I'm not supposed to knit until Mr. Shoulder has had another day or two to calm down, here's a look at what my mother has been up to since she got needles and yarn for Christmas.

This will be an exercise in familial mush, so if that sort of thing makes you sneeze or break out, go read You Knit What.

Exhibit A is a ribbed scarf made out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Worsted (colorway "Pioneer"). That's the yarn she got as part of her gift. You do not give a woman who went through difficult labor so that she could clean up after you for 18+ years a ball of Red Heart.

Let me tell you something about my mama. She never does anything if she's not going to do it beautifully. So after we established that she still (after almost 29 years of no knitting) had casting on, knit, and purl well in hand, she began and ripped and began and ripped probably ten times, without fuss or complaint. And then she got into the groove and produced this in short order.



Knitting must be like riding a bicycle. (Except knitting will not firm and tone the buttocks. Alas.)

Then Mom picked up a book of dishcloth patterns with the idea that the little squares would be a good way of learning new stitch patterns. So I give you Exhibit B, the first dishcloth.



I have no doubt that all the dishes, pots, and flatware in Mom's kitchen will now feel deeply loved.

There are rumors of a multi-colored scarf for Dad. But I've seen no pictures. Hint, hint.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

sadly, I've noticed a significant increase in my buttocks correlational to the signiicant increase in my knitting time over the last year...

On a cheerier note, however, Yay Franklin's Mom!

Anonymous said...

Yay Mom!

My Mom learned to knit a few years ago, but her only progression beyond the garter stitch scarf was the addition of fringe. (sigh)

Carol said...

So it's official. Your mom is as cool as you are.

Well, except for that little matter of the DISHCLOTH.

She's a frickin good knitter, too.

I thank her for giving birth to you.

Andrea Rusin said...

Go, Mom!

in re: your "yarn for Mom" thinking... for 100 hours of labor to get two babies, I should get.... buckets of alpaca, at the very least. Could you please call my adult children and inform them of this new rule? ;)

Anonymous said...

Damned shame about the buttocks. Go, Mom. But, uh, try to resist the urge to knit Franklin a pair of pants.

Unknown said...

I think yo' mama is my contemporary. Therefore, I salute her efforts. Her knitting is beautifully even.

And while I shudder at warshcloths, I have a feeling that she won't get past one or two, if genetics have anything to do with it.

She's lucky to have a son and a daughter like you two. Not that my kids are chopped liver or anything. But I never had a son. [sob]

By the way, what are you doing typing? That's not good for the shoulder either. I'm telling your mother.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Franklins Mom!
My Mom will be the first to tell you she does not have a crafty bone in her body. Than she also refers to my sock knitting as the Blair Witch Project. Smart ass Mother of mine. Gotta love her!

City Wiccan said...

you go mom!

My mom would never knit. She was a hippy child and knitting is not cool because that's what her mom did . . . but grandma and I have fun talking about knitting.

Sweet Camden Lass said...

Now I feel the need to knit another dishcloth! My Mum knits very sporadically: she prefers sewing. I remember an entrelac sweater in mohair that she started when I was about seven, and I finshed when I was about fourteen. No-one wore it. I wonder where it went. It's just about fashionable again!
~x~

Susan said...

Word on the street (or at least over the phone) is that the Dad Scarf is in progress. One day not too long ago we had much discussion over design and how to best use the two colors. There were doodles in Paintshop zipped over the email, and I think a beginning. We must encourage mother dear to take pictures in progress, or else we must learn to be patient.

Anonymous said...

Your mom makes beautiful stuff. The scarf is great.

Anonymous said...

Franklin, you could learn to knit on the stationery bikes or treadmill at the gym. Just be careful not to make your knitting as tight as your bum.

Anonymous said...

Way to go mom!!! the scarf and washcloth are excellent--her knitting is so even-perfect heart shape to boot!! how terrific to share your process together and raid each others stash?! have fun! and while my midsection is not so great, i do have fine wrists!

Carol said...

As someone who has actually squeezed Franklin's ass -- oh yeah, it was the first thing I did when I met him at Rhinebeck -- I can say without hesitation or reservation that he has a nice, tight, perfectly rounded bum. Very squeezable. No need for any adjustments there.

Gosh, I wish he were here now so I could squeeze it again, and again...

Anonymous said...

You, your sister, and your mom. Talent runs in the family!

Anonymous said...

How great!
I actually have the same dishcloth pattern book and did the same dishcloth a couple days ago...how weird is that!!! Oh with the same intentions.