First, a little exposition in case you are Just Passing Through (Constant Reader, just skip to the next paragraph).
I have a Great Grandmother* who could crochet and knit. She always had a crochet bedspread going. Whenever she would have to wait somewhere, she would pull out a bedspread square. As a result, there are more than a few spreads in the homes of various family members. A few years ago, I decided that I wanted make one too. My crochet skills don’t amount to much, so I have to knit. Knitting takes a lot longer than crochet. A. Lot. Longer. I’ve named the thing my Epic CounterPain. The first square from my pattern was finished on March 27, 2006**. My goal of 52 squares in 2007 brought me to the halfway point (excluding the trim).
Half a spread. (Folded in quarters: 1/8 of a spread is visible.)
My goal for 2008 was 24 squares – I thought that two a month was reasonable with a new baby.
In eight months, I’ve made seven.
Seven and a half.
I am going to finish 12 of those squares before the first Dish Rag Tag box gets back. Each square is about the size of a dish rag and takes about the same amount of time (two Monks and a Psych) to complete. I have confidence! I like a challenge! I can beat the box! I can do this thing.
The real trick is going to be doing all the other things that need doing.
*This is Great Gran’s mother. I live in her house. Great Gran is my regular grandmother – let’s think of the “great” as a superlative and not as a mistake I made when I was 2 because Great Gran was taller than her mother. She has finally forgiven me because of Ellie has made her a real Great Gran.
**It’s times like these when I regret not categorizing my posts.
Your Counter Pain project is so gorgeous, though Ellie really needs to learn to knit soon. hehe.
Your Counterpain (!) is absolutely awesome! I have been reading and watching it grow for a year or two now. It will get done, I am sure! All things in time. It is truly beautiful!
Because of your Counterpain posts, I bought the book “Knitting Counterpanes” by Mary Phillips Walker. I drool over that book but have not gotten past the dreaming stage. I never seem to find yarn that speaks to me! lol
Your counterpain is so stunning – and totally worth finishing.. Just remember, its the process 🙂
But it’s going to be SO beautiful when it is finished. I once made 24 dish clothes as gifts in a period of a couple of months. It was a lot of knitting! But I know you can do it! Go Girl Go! You will have a huge sense of satisfaction in the end.
I’m cheering for you! But you knew that did’nt you:D
The counterpane is lovely & will be the most awesome heirloom.
Rootin’ for you!
knit knit knit! we’ll be cheering for you in your quest for counterpain glory!
You can do it!
Housework can wait! Feeding the baby cannot. Laundry can wait!
You can do it!
The counterpain is looking soooo good. Just keep at it, and don’t give up Emily, no matter how slow going, it’ll get done one day 🙂
Emily—your bedspread is gorgeous! I am new to these online communities of knitters–and it is a revelation (or a recognition?) to learn that I am not the only one who measures projects/rows/squares in the terms of how many tv shows it takes to finish.
Good luck on your mission to complete your project!
It’s so pretty and I know you’ll get there. Just don’t stress yourself. 😉
That’s a big goal, but I bet you can do it!
Here’s hoping it works for you! May the little one’s naps be plentiful and bedtime come early for a little while.
It is so pretty!! I know Ellie and the kitties will one day (soon) enjoy rolling around on it! 🙂
I’m bettin’ you’ll do it!!!
Counterpane is just stunning! Here’s hoping Ellie gives you time to knit!
Oh, meme, it’s divine!
Has it been 2 years? This project is an absolute labor of love, and absolutely gorgeous, too!
How COMPLETELY GORGEOUS! Thank you for taking the time to explain it to us non-knitters. I had wondered what a counterpain square was, but didn’t want to appear completely idiotic. 🙂 It is sooooooo beautiful!