Start where you are. That’s some good advice that I’ve been using a lot lately, so I’ll follow it here as well. This blog is all about making anything and everything I want for my wardrobe for the next year or more. See small print here.
So where I’m starting is with my unfinished “Einstein” sweater coat. So named by Sally Melville in her book The Knit Stitch “because you feel like a genius when it’s done”. I am hoping for some of that because it has been somewhat of an epic project for me. And she made five of them: she must be enlightened by now!
The Einstein Coat is an elegant sweater coat, knit up with bulky yarn using only the knit stitch. The beauty of it is that the knitting truly is done in all directions as you progress to knitting the left front, back, right front, sleeves and collar. When you finish one piece you pick up stitches on the edge of the piece and knit in a new direction. Hmmm, new direction, I’ve got to keep that one in mind too.
I started this coat back in August 2008 and figured out using higher math that it would take about 57 hours to make. Hey, I did that calculation without even finishing the coat; imagine how much smarter I’ll be after it’s done! Anyway, the 57 hours bit is what I mean by epic; this is the most time intense piece of knitting I’ve made to date. And yet, even though it’s April now, it really didn’t seem to take all that much effort or time.
It probably seemed easy because I had a lot of help.
Furball just loves knitting. And if for any reason I don’t like the coat when it’s done, I know just who can get the best use out of it!
As of today, I have one more seam to sew on the coat, the collar to knit, buttons to sew on and the ends to weave in. I was attempting to have it for show and tell at the Handweaver’s Guild of Boulder meeting tonight, but I won’t quite make it. (Sorry Karen, but please keep up the cheerleading!) I’m thrilled to be nearly done and will complete it in a few days. Look for the completion celebration post very soon!
Hi again- We’re in Cynthia and Allyson’s class together. I am writing a little personal note here because I love what you are trying to do here. A DIY wardrobe builder. I have never seen anything like this before and I want to encourage you to really go for it, making this a healthy and robust site. I would like to read what you have to say every time you publish. My favorite way to do this with blogs is through email. Maybe that will be addressed in the class. I would also like to see your archives so I can see what else you have written. I noticed you comments are moderated, so please feel free not to post this one, if you care to leave it private. Meantime, sooooo glad to find you!!