A Sweater is Forever…
January 3, 2009 at 12:04 am | In Knitting | 60 Comments…But not in the way that you might think. Whereas diamonds last forever, sweaters just take forever to make! Once upon a time, many months ago, one eager knitter poured over catalogs of yarn and various patterns, picking out the most appealing colors and flattering shapes. Those eight skeins of yarn came quickly with rush mail, and were soon wound into balls and set onto needles. Brilliant lavender strands, soft as could be, and organic cotton no less! They were a joy to simply cast on with.
However, no matter how many stitches were knit and purled, progress was almost impossible to see, and it became abundantly clear that the sweater would not be finished for a birthday celebration only days away. Luckily, the incredibly patient and understanding recipient merely suggested that it would be just as nice as a Hannukah present, too. And so the knitter continued, metal needles clacking together late into the night… But alas, there were still two sleeves and a collar missing by the time the whole eight days of the holiday had elapsed.
Still undeterred, it sounded like this sweater might make an excellent mother’s day present instead. There was plenty of time until then, right? For most focused people, yes, but this knitter became forgetful, and the sad scraps of sweater remained untouched that whole time. Trashing the whole project was an enticing idea, but as the weather grew cold once again, a warm garment really did sound like a wonderful gift… And when else would I have enough free time to make such an involved project? It was now or never.
Down to the wire and a mere hour or two before it was time to light the final candle of the menorah, a real Hannukah miracle occurred: The last stitches made, seams were sewn, and ends were buried in. And so, over one year later (practically forever, if you ask me), a sweater was born!
Happy Birthday, Hannukah, Mother’s Day, Birthday, and Hannukah, Mom! Hopefully this thing lasts, because I have a feeling that it I won’t be making many more sweaters in the future.
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Woah! It must have felt awesome to finally finish the sweater. I am envious. I can’t even get through one scarf!
It looks great!
Comment by Nicole — January 3, 2009 #
As always I am amazed at your ability to knit…and a sweater that looks good too!
Comment by peabody — January 3, 2009 #
Hannah, it is beautiful! I love purple. Your mom looks adorable in it.
Comment by Oiyi — January 3, 2009 #
Happy New Year!
first time to ur place and it is very nice!
do visit my blog when u find time!
Comment by srilekha — January 3, 2009 #
Beautiful!
Comment by Kala — January 3, 2009 #
Great job–it’s a perfect fit, too! I’m sure she’ll get tons of wear out of it.
Comment by Amy — January 3, 2009 #
What a nice story and a beautiful sweater you made for your Mother,lucky her!
Comment by Yaelian — January 3, 2009 #
OMG – Great job on the sweater and your mom is as adorable as you are! Nice color choice for her too – makes her eyes pop! There you go amazing me again with your talents! :)
Comment by teeni — January 3, 2009 #
amazing! can I say that I’m proud of you? your mom looks so happy in it, too. :D
Comment by Liz² — January 3, 2009 #
Ahahaha *this* is why I don’t knit adult things ;) It’s a lovely sweater and it suits your Mum beautifully. You did a good job.
Comment by Vonnie — January 3, 2009 #
Wow, you did an amazing job!
Comment by melisser — January 3, 2009 #
Wow! Well Done! That’s a task not to be undertaken lightly!!! The colour is fantastic, too!
Comment by DJ — January 3, 2009 #
You inspire me with baking AND with knitting now!! Congratulations on finishing the lovely sweater.
Comment by VeggieGirl — January 3, 2009 #
That is so sweet, you did such a wonderful job Hannah! I love the color. Are you this good at everything you do??
Comment by Shelby — January 3, 2009 #
That’s awesome! Your Mom is such a cutie, too :-)
Comment by jumbleberryjam — January 3, 2009 #
You couldn’t have chosen a better colour for your mum – perfect! Beautiful job!
Comment by shellyfish — January 3, 2009 #
Wonderful sweater! It looks great on your mom. I have to concur though- sweaters take waaaay too long to make!
Comment by Anna — January 3, 2009 #
My grandmom just crocheted a full sized blanket for me and apparently it took her years to complete it!!
Comment by Ed Coffin — January 3, 2009 #
you’re right sweaters do take forever. I made my first one a while ago and it kinda cured me of knitting for a bit hehe
Comment by bex — January 3, 2009 #
At least it came out beautiful!!
Comment by Gina — January 3, 2009 #
Wow such a nice sweater! And lovely colour too! The only thing I started to knit once was a scarf for my boyfriend in 2003! Until today it’s still halfway done! hahah! I’ve left it in the storage now. Maybe I’ll get it out someday…
I admire your patience!
Comment by Lovliebutterfly — January 3, 2009 #
The sweater turned out absolutely GORGEOUS…eventually, lol. I laugh because I can relate. I am in no hurry to tackle any sweaters anytime soon for that very reason.
Congratulations on (finally) getting it finished!
Hugs from a knitting sister…
Anita
Comment by Anita, a Knitting Junkie! — January 3, 2009 #
Great work, I’m finishing up a baby sweater that has taken me what seems like forever because I keep bouncing to other things. There’s just something about rows and rows of stockinette stitch that nearly drive me over the edge!
Comment by Lisa — January 3, 2009 #
WOAH! Talk about dedication, you did a great job knitting that sweater!!!!
Comment by foodfashionfun — January 3, 2009 #
What a beautiful sweater! And your mom looks fabulous in it!
Comment by Jes — January 3, 2009 #
very pretty and i’m impressed. i knit, but i haven’t conquered the sweater yet… nice work!
Comment by miss v — January 3, 2009 #
SO SWEET! That’s such a beautiful picture of your mom!! I’m sure she loves her sweater! It’s really beautiful.
Comment by Amey — January 3, 2009 #
Aww! It looks like it was totally worth the wait! Wonderful!
I make quilts entirely bu hand, so I know how long it can take to finish a project!
I bet your mum adores the sweater!
Comment by Becks~not a rabbit — January 3, 2009 #
That is fantastic! And I totally agree with you… a sweater does take forever, I rarely make anything bigger than a baby size myself.
But don’t give up! In a year or two, you’ll forget all about this and start another one.
Comment by Tammy — January 3, 2009 #
Hey Hannah – congratulations on getting it done! Please tell your mom that she looks beautiful and that the color and style really suit her.
I just finished knitting my first sweater but it’s a raglan cardigan, so it’s sort of “cheating” in the sweater category. Anyway, I still have to weave in the ends and sew on the buttons and block it. Hopefully I will be inspired by your post to do so!
Comment by Emily — January 3, 2009 #
Ha, ha, that’s why the few times I do knit I knit a baby sweater ;) You’ve reminded me to finish a tiny baby cardigan I nearly finished nearly 2 years ago (for my youngest son). Will have to finish it for the bun that’s still in the oven :)
Lovely sweater by the way!
Comment by linda — January 3, 2009 #
What a beautiful sweater you created by hand Your mother must be incredibly proud of your knitting/crocheting/sewing/baking skills! Did you buy books about crafting, learn from a friend, attend classes or somehow magicly teach yourself because you seen to be excellent at that when it comes to recipe creating! =)
Comment by laci — January 3, 2009 #
That is a gorgeous color – great job! I started knitting projects when I was pregnant with each of my sons and never finished them. We are talking baby sweaters – so tiny! I have been knitting for about 15 years and have only ever finished 3 sweaters. Hmmm. By the way, thanks soo much for the brownies!
Comment by Dana Treat — January 3, 2009 #
That is one of the most beautiful gift I have ever seen! Your mom is very lucky.
Comment by Alisa - The Frugal Foodie — January 3, 2009 #
Worth the wait, I’d say! :)
Comment by Ricki — January 3, 2009 #
That sweater is fabulous. I always dream of being able to make my own clothing. I’m so jealous!
Comment by Hayley — January 3, 2009 #
What a gorgeous sweater. The color looks beautiful on your mom. You are so talented Hannah!
Comment by Vivacious Vegan — January 3, 2009 #
Awwww… Your mom looks so cute in her new sweater! Beautiful job with the knitting.
Comment by tahinitoo — January 3, 2009 #
I have to say if you were my daughter and had put that much love, time, and talent into a sweater for me, I would wear it until it became thread bare. Bless you! What a wonderful post and gift!!!
Comment by sher — January 3, 2009 #
the sweater really looks great, though! i hope your mom gets a lot of use out of it. : )
Comment by Ren — January 4, 2009 #
LOL! Loved the post….you have a wonderful way with words.
Your(?) mom looked lovely in her sweater. That was a beautiful color and I’m not too keen on purple. Great job!
~inrgid
Comment by Ingrid — January 4, 2009 #
Congratulations! I like both the colour and the pattern. I am really impressed, Hannah!
Comment by Mihl — January 4, 2009 #
This cracks me right up. I think we’ve all been there before! The sweater turned out beautifully <3
Comment by Valerie — January 4, 2009 #
You’re such an inspiration! It came out lovely, glad you kept with it.
Comment by Sam — January 4, 2009 #
It is absolutely gorgeous! I’m glad to hear that you have difficulty finishing a project too! I just finished a pair of baby socks a couple of days ago that had been on the needles since July. Now that’s embarrassing!
Comment by Fuji Mama — January 4, 2009 #
That’s so impressive, Hannah! It looks perfect on your mom.
Comment by Diann — January 4, 2009 #
Hi Hannah,
A sweater is forever….such a wonderful gift to receive. Your mom looks great in it. I wish I had the skills to knit such a sweater. Alas I have to buy mine in a store or wait for my friend to knit me another one :-)
Nora
Comment by nora — January 4, 2009 #
Yah. Exactly. I have a hard enough time with scarves and hats. Sweaters ain’t a-gonna happen here. Loved your story.
Comment by su — January 4, 2009 #
Beautiful sweater Hannah! I have only made baby sweaters before (because I can actually finish them before the baby is born :p). I loved the story …it was worth the wait! :)
Comment by Gigi — January 4, 2009 #
That is a beautiful sweater for your mom! Fantastic job, Hannah!
Comment by veron — January 4, 2009 #
This is exactly how I feel about the pair of socks I’m knitting for my mom. I’m almost done! YAY!
Yet I still have to knit my dad a pair, too!
These socks were for Christmas! :D
The sweater looks amazing!
Comment by Sydney — January 5, 2009 #
Great job on the sweater! I just started learning how to knit, so far all I have made is a scarf.
Comment by Kiersten — January 5, 2009 #
GORGEOUS!
Comment by val — January 6, 2009 #
What a beautiful sweater! I believe it was certainly worth the wait. :)
Comment by Vegyogini — January 6, 2009 #
You have one lucky mom! Love the sweater!
Comment by Shari — January 6, 2009 #
Oh my, I can only imagine the hours and hours that went into that sweater! I can’t even complete a pair of socks! I”ll bet your mom loves it.
Comment by Vegan_Noodle — January 7, 2009 #
What an awesome sweater! Your mom looks so happy! That color looks good on her. :)
Comment by Stacey — January 9, 2009 #
I love the picture of your mom modelling the sweater. You did a great job!
Comment by Maggie — January 9, 2009 #
Oh, it’s gorgeous!
Perhaps because it was such a looong project, you didn’t enjoy it. I hope you don’t give up the knitting though!
Comment by MJ — January 13, 2009 #
I come looking snooping through the internet for knitting tips (incognito of course, since I am a 25 year old guy :) and find this…wow…maybe I’ll just stick to crocheting…a bit easier…and faster :) Great job though, incredible sweater.
Comment by Gregg — January 14, 2009 #