Wednesday, September 20, 2006

My first sweater ...

I updated this entry with some new pictures, this is my Einstein pattern projects, once I learned the pattern I could not stop knitting it. Now when I look at the pieces my knitting skills have improved in the last couple of years, I've graduated to knitting Hanne Falkenberg designs. I must say the Einstein was a lot easier.


*Photo credit: Ellen Bloom* Thank you Ellen.

Until about 2 years ago I did not know how to read a knitting pattern. It looked like a different language to me and I did not know how to speak it. Knitese, bunch of shorthand with k2tog, ssk, yo, yib, who knew what all this meant. I have knit most of my life but only by visual freeform knitting and just sort of made things up. My mother had a few little patterns written down and she showed me how to knit and read her patterns. I lost them years ago and was left with "freeform" knitting.

One day I was at Stitches from the Heart looking at yarn and Kathy Silverton the owner of the charity approached me and asked what I was going to knit. I don't know just something, then I told her my big secret that I really did not know how to read knitting patterns. Kathy suggested I buy Sally Melville's book "The Knit Stitch" I picked the Einstein coat, since I've made several variations and really love Sally's book. She illustrates with great color pictures and the patterns are written so even a person who has never read a pattern can follow.

When my mother died and I was going through her house and belongings I found this glove she had saved. It was part of a set I knit when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I made a scarf and a hat and gloves to match. Only found the gloves.




Here are some other "Einstein" pattern projects I've knit. Once I remembered this simple and easy pattern I started knitting it over and over again. This green wool coat with sleeves and the others as vests.

Green sport weight wool coat, I don't love it but it's ok.

Then came this one I knit this on a trip and found this lovely green silk ribbon at a yarn store in Venice, Italy. My friends were sightseeing and I was sitting and knitting at a yarn shop. Had a great time...


This is Black Cashmere from Scotland, this yarn is coated and does not become so soft until it is washed, so I washed it and threw it in the dryer. It is just heavenly soft.



I added a bit of a border on the armhole edge.



Then I loved it so much that I made this red one also cashmere but this yarn is from China. Soft but not as nice as the Scottish cashmere.

Again some crochet edging



Links: The Knit Stitch

Stitches from the Heart

12 comments:

Knittinreed said...

Congratulations - it looks great! I also use the Sally Melville books alot - they are excellent.

Now on to your clogs :-) (Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment).

Marji said...

quite a leap, going from not reading patterns to knitting Hanne Falkenberg patterns. You go girl.
How happy is it that you found the gloves.

Ana Petrova said...

When I found the gloves I almost cried, that my mother treasured it enough to keep all these years and all the moves and miles of travel.

Falkenberg was a challenge but now that I've done a couple bring it on.....

AR said...

Awesome sweater!! Super job! I love that your mom saved your gloves. That is so sweet.

Larjmarj said...

Beautiful sweater! How awesome to find the gloves, I think I would have cried!

Sharon said...

To think that you couldn't read patterns until a couple of years ago, what an amazing achievement to be able to do such lovely work.

The glove story is beautiful, it bought a tear to my eyes. A mothers love.

Ellen Bloom said...

You certainly are a knitting FIEND, Ms. Ana!!! Love all the versions of the Einstein Coat that you've made.

Hey! Didn't I take that photo of you in your multi-colored Einstein at the old SFTH store? Photo credit, please!

Ana Petrova said...

Sorry Ellen, I've corrected the mistake. Credit given. Yes you did take that picture!

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Wow. You're amazing. I love all the variations of the Einstein Coat. Thanks for sharing these pics with us. I love your work.

Anonymous said...

Wow. You're amazing. I love all the variations of the Einstein Coat. Thanks for sharing these pics with us. I love your work.

RheLynn said...

Those gloves are gorgeous! And, congratulations on your first sweater!!

ChelleC said...

I can't believe you made such beautiful and original versions of the Einstein. Great inspiration. I have been ready to start an Einstein myself. I made one several years ago, but it was a boring Navy blue that she favored. Now I want one for ME.

Did you make those darling vests from the Einstein as well?