After giving my hands a break and working on fine gauge stuff for a few weeks, I was ready to come back to the Andrew Morrison Honorary Cardigan, aka Shetland Sweater, yesterday. I need to work a few more inches of garter stitch on the collar, sew up a few things, like the underarms, and give it a wash before I install the zippper. I want to wash it before the zipper because I know from my swatch that this yarn blooms a lot, and I don't want it puckering or pulling when it changes gauge.
I did a quick try-on this morning and I'm excited to see it all come together. No, I didn't get a picture of the try-on because I was still in my dissheveled state: unbrushed, ungroomed, in p.j.s, etc. And I was home alone, so it would have meant setting up the tripod and messing with the auto-timer. (Note to self: buy a remote control for the camera.)
Today's weather is warm and humid. What a pleasant change from a few weeks ago. Bulbs are coming up, the grass is greening up, most of the snow is gone. A few days ago I was trying to get some pics of last year's flowers, but didn't really succeed. This sunflower was the best I got. (Click it for a bigger version.)
On Thursday I got a call from my dad. His mother died that morning. It's not the kind of devastating loss that makes ordinary life grind to a halt. She was very old. She had always been a difficult person. She particularly never liked my mother and never cared for me. Well, eventually I think she liked me some, but only after I produced two adorable baby boy grandchildren. As it turns out, my husband has a very important work trip scheduled for the coming week, so if I tried to go to the funeral, I'd be taking my kids out of school and driving at least 5 hours each way with them. And they're prone to car sickness. And they fight a lot. And, they act out worse than usual when in a situation with a lot of new people when they are expected to behave well. So, my folks and I decided that I'll stay home.
Several years ago I noticed that my grandmother's clothes were all getting really ratty and dingy. She had a lot of money, but was a tightwad and as shopping became too hard for her, she just didn't do it. I had some magenta knit fabric and sewed her a jacket and pants that were cheerful, clean, and easy care. My parents told me that she wanted to be buried in that outfit. She wore it to all her functions (art shows, cocktails with friends, etc.) and bragged to all who would listen that I had made it. So, maybe by the end, she didn't dislike me as much as she had in my youth.
Fritzi Morrison
15 comments:
Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Sometimes people just don't deal well with grandchildren. Lord knows my grandparents were an odd assortment.
Love the sweater. It is absolutely gorgeous. You did a great job with it.
Aw, that is so sweet that she wanted to be buried in the outfit you made her!
The AM Shetland took my breath away when I clicked in here--it's really come together!
I love the way the cardigan is coming along. I wish that I could knit colorwork as quickly and eagerly.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Families are odd sometimes. I know mine is! Condolences to you and your family.
I'm so sorry you have lost your Grandma. How nice of you to make her such a great outfit! When my grandfather died, I didn't go to his funeral, either. My grandma told me it was okay, and I was living some distance away. And, he looked nothing like how I remember him at the end because of the devastation from his disease, so my parents told me it would be better if I didn't go. I think it would be a very difficult trip for you to go alone with your boys, if my boys are any indication, that is.....
I'm sorry about your grandmother. I hope your dad is coping OK with his loss.
I was thinking that we are all in a cicle, changing like seasons...
Sorry to hear about your Gramma. The outfit story made me tear up! Your sweater turned out gorgous!
i am sorry for your loss.
I'm sorry for your family's loss.
I have a very difficult grandmother too. My experniece has been that she cares more than she knows how to express and the negative stuff is just her way and nothing personal towords me. It was very hard growing up to see that.
Your sweater is lovely.
That cardigan is simply gorgeous.
My condolences to your family regarding your grandmother, especially to your Dad. It sucks to lose a parent. That is a sweet story about wanting to be buried in the outfit you made for her.
Not to be redundant, but, WOW, that sweater!
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your grandmother.
That sweater does look great, I can't wait to see it modeled.
I'm sorry about your grandmother. It's an interesting story you tell about her relationship with the family. She reminds me of my great grandma Rose. I have wonderful memories of her like baking together. Until I was an adult I never knew that she was a formidable crank in the family with a very sharp tongue. I was the only one she seems to have liked. She doted on me like your grandma doted on your boys. I hope your boys have happy memories to revisit.
Oh, and the sweater is wonderful.
My condolences on the loss of your grandmother. I will keep your family in my prayers.
That sweater is georgous! You really have a talent with color! :)
I'm from Quincy and from rather early childhood (maybe about 10) I was an art student in Fritzi's classes at the Barn. She was a bubbly, charming, fun person and SO talented. I'm sorry for your loss but after all she lived a long, productive life. As for clothes, I remember in those early days families like Friti's had a seamstress come to their homes for a week and run up the families wardrobe for the next season. You have inherited some of Fritzi's artistic talent. Your work, too, is beautiful. Marian
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