Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Something Old

The first time I knit this pattern was in 1968. It's from McCall's Needlework and Crafts, and I made it in the exact same colors as the pattern picture -- gold and black. It was a gift to my sister in gratitude for helping me out during some challenging times. She later passed it along to our mother. And since neither one of them is around anymore, I don't know what became of the afghan. Hopefully it is keeping someone warm and snug.


In the ensuing 10-15 years I made two more. Don't remember which came first, the rust/brown or the light/dark blue. Each took about a year to knit; what with a full-time job, motherhood, and graduate school, time for knitting was limited. But the pattern is so wonderful that even now I'm tempted to make one more.


What's so great about it? Well, it's a doubleknit, which makes it really fun. Had I been confronted with the dreaded word DOUBLEKNIT at the beginning I probably would never have had the audacity to believe I could knit this pattern. But no mention was made. I simply followed the very easy instructions and soon perceived that somehow, magically, I was knitting two separate pieces of fabric that were linked together in just a few spots.


Watching the two pieces of fabric emerge is entertaining. As one knits a sort of honeycomb pattern on one side . . . .


A dotted pattern is created on the other side. And the squares allow one to have a sense of accomplishment. (Hah! Another row of squares completed!) It's a great winter project, because the completed part keeps your lap warm while you are adding to it.


Having hung onto this very old pattern over all the years and all the traveling, it seems a shame not to put it to some use. The pages are a little brown, but still readable. I suspect I won't actually knit another whole afghan, although I might attempt a pillow or two. That wouldn't take long.

11 comments:

Kath said...

The rust/brown one came first, then the light/dark blue. I think pillows are a fine idea but no matter what - please do NOT toss the pattern!

Sharon said...

The pattern is very nice and full of memories for you. Pillows would be enough to bring them back and keep the memories around. It occurs to me that I've made a number of afghans in my day and they're gone too. Passe??

Delighted Hands said...

Why not make a lap robe-a good sampling of knitting and you get to snuggle with it?! As hard as moving is-you are discovering one of its hidden blessings!

Susan Luni said...

I'm sure it does take a long time to knit. Double knitting really slows me down. It's worth the effort, though.

bspinner said...

What a great pattern and the afghans knit from it. Sure is a keeper!

Marjorie said...

That is really nice. I have some old magazines of that era in a box in my attic, and when I can get past the dated photos, I find a lot of gems in them.

beverlyanne said...

I love the way it automatically becomes two color knitting by having the other side peek through.

Leigh said...

Gosh, that is definitely a pattern worth hanging on to! I would love to knit one of those myself.

Knitting Linguist said...

Those are gorgeous blankets! And I love the idea of pillows -- definitely hang on to that pattern :)

Willow said...

I found you again after having found your blog a while ago and lost your url.

I see you've relocated to my part of the world.

About the spinning wheel. A Lendrum travel wheel would fit in that little space just fine. I have one. Shall I measure it for you?

~ Phyllis ~ said...

The afghans are lovely. I love the stitch pattern. I'm glad you held onto the pattern. Pillows would look nice.