I’m in Kansas right now — I came for a family reunion and have stayed for a funeral.* My eldest aunt, who had been ill for a very long time, succumbed just at the moment when eighty-something of us had already come from near and far to be together, which was characteristically polite and organized of her. May she rest in peace. So I’m about one-third of the way into the first sleeve of my Bernat fisherman sweater (in Arranmore) for the Summer of Basics and already there’s Squam dock time and this precious family visit knitted into it. And if that weren’t enough, this is the most joy I’ve ever gotten from two sticks and a ball of string. I crave it when it’s not in my hands and love working every stitch. (My top three Joy of Knitting projects — pure pleasure in the stitch patterns and the yarn in my hands — are this, Gentian and Channel.) Having charted out the vintage written-instructions pattern and seen what is happening, which is quite straightforward, I have no need to look at either the pattern or the chart and can just knit away at this happily, with just the right amount of brain detachment and engagement, watching the textures develop. It’s true love in every way.
I even made a tiny mistake in the very first cable cross, and left it, so that’s out of the way!
I did make some more progress on my so-called Summer Cardigan (in Balance) before casting on for the fisherman, but at this point it’s going to be impossible for it to get my attention. Hopefully the same won’t be true of my Archer shirt for #summerofbasics, which I plan to cut the muslin of this coming weekend.
*Hence the lack of response from me on Friday’s Q for You answers, but I have read them all and hope to respond when I have a chance — great conversation as usual.
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PREVIOUSLY in Queue Check: May 2017
Sorry for the loss of your Aunt. It sounds like she was really looking forward to seeing everyone. She made her final curtain call!
Cynthia
So sorry to read about your Aunt’s passing. It always amazes me when a loved one passes ‘at the convenience’ of family members, such as now when you all are gathered for a reunion. Know that I am thinking of you and your family.
Your fisherman knit looks great. I love knitting sweaters like that. Isn’t it great that you have both Squam and Kansas knit into it.
Yes-sorry for your loss, perhaps she was just waiting to say goodbye. I lived in Wichita from 1964-69. Loved growing up there back then!
I had an uncle who did just that. He always wanted to die on the tennis court, and at 88, he did just that: won his match, sat down to have a coke and died, We were all due to come for a family reunion four days later, and so we continued as planned with the whole family gathered together to share stories and remember him, at a party, as he would have wished. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you could all be there for her.
My condolences on the loss of your aunt. Timing is everything, isn’t it? So glad the whole family is there to celebrate her life and being part of the family.
Regarding your top three knits–clearly a love of cables and texture among them, and you do it so well. Enjoy your visit with family and knitting and sewing your way through your queue.
Ooh, thank you for reminding me I have the Gentian pattern!
As soon as I finish a sweater I’m supposed to be knitting, it goes to the head of the queue
And, as I should have said at the beginning, my condolences on the loss of your aunt.
Wonderful post–have a lovely time with your family. I’m sorry you’ve lost your aunt but happy you are all together.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Sorry for the loss of your Aunt, Karen. Happy to know you have such a huge and united family!
Hugs
I would love to have a copy of the graph for that sweater. I have the book but have put off knitting it because of the written instructions. Maybe I should get down to it and figure it out! The swatching looks great!
Hi Karen,
Sorry to hear about your aunt. I wish you well.
I am admiring your sketches and your knitting patterns.
Please can you send me knitting instructions how to knit fisherman cables. My daughter wants me to knit a cardingan and a sweater for her.
I will be most grateful for your help.
Thanking you kindly,
May God richly bless your work.
Hi, Priscilla. There’s a post about getting started with cables here, which might be of some help: https://fringeassociation.com/2013/10/08/cable-patterns-for-first-timers/
I’m so sorry about your aunt. <3
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