Labor of Love

For as long as I can remember, there has always been a super ugly, but super warm crocheted blanket in my family's possession. Apparently, it was a blanket made from the UGLIEST scrap yarn EVER made in the history of fiber arts. But, an afghan would make for a HELL of a stash busting project -- which is what my grandmother did years ago.

When I was little I remember staring at the blanket, the stitching trying to figure out exactly how it all went together (and why?), and the last few times I've used that blanket, I've noticed some gaping holes in all of those oddly confusing stitches (I still don't understand crochet very well).

Over the summer, my mom had hinted (and by hinting, she flat out told me) that my dad would like a replacement blanket, and who better to make it? I thought about it some, and figured it shouldn't be that big of a deal, because I was already starting two other afghans... How bad could a third be?!!?

Oh. My. God. Afghans are SOOOO time consuming.

The first one? Two months.

The second one? Two months.

What time is it now (er, was it then)? Oh, it's almost time for Halloween. How much time is left before Christmas?

Two months.

Guess I better start cracking!

I found my pattern. I decided on a yarn. Off to the yarn shop!

Shit. LYS doesn't carry the yarn that I want. I can order it online, and not be guaranteed matching dye lots, or I could pick a new yarn. Not to mention, if I pick a yarn that I can have THAT night, then I can start THAT night. So I speak to the gal at the shop, and she points me in the direction of Kraemer Perfection.

Me: But this is worsted weight, not bulky!?
Gal: Double up!
Me: But then I would need 18 of one color... you don't have 18 of any color!
Mom: Use two different blues, then only 9 of each.
Me: ... but.. but... fine.


I head home and set up my Excel spreadsheet.

If I start on October 25, and need to finish by December 23rd... and there are seven repeats of this pattern, then I need to do, oh! Six rows a day! That's easy!

Oh my god. No, it was not. With the cabling, and pattern, it took me an estimated half hour to finish each row. I know this, because that was all I could complete during my lunch hour. This project brought my knitting habit to the attention of my co-workers -- particularly my boss. He now loves to walk by and go "knit one, purl one". When working on this project I corrected him "No, it's more like knit five, purl three, knit ten...". He also tried to tease me in saying that I wouldn't finish it in time for Christmas, and my dad would be empty-handed.

Well, I finished that project, dammit. And a labor of love, it sure was! I do not want to make another adult sized afghan for a VERY long time. I just spent the past SIX months doing them!

I'm really happy with how the blanket turned out, and so is my dad. He uploaded a picture up to his Facebook timeline to proudly display it to all of his friends. I'm glad I spent the time on this gift -- but yeah, no more afghans. It's easier to buy them :)