My Dish Rag Commitment
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.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Your Counter Pain project is so gorgeous, though Ellie really needs to learn to knit soon. hehe.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
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
August 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Your counterpain is so stunning - and totally worth finishing.. Just remember, its the process
August 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
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.
August 17th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I’m cheering for you! But you knew that did’nt you:D
August 17th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
The counterpane is lovely & will be the most awesome heirloom.
Rootin’ for you!
August 17th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
knit knit knit! we’ll be cheering for you in your quest for counterpain glory!
August 17th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
You can do it!
Housework can wait! Feeding the baby cannot. Laundry can wait!
You can do it!
August 17th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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
August 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
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!
August 17th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
It’s so pretty and I know you’ll get there. Just don’t stress yourself.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am
That’s a big goal, but I bet you can do it!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Here’s hoping it works for you! May the little one’s naps be plentiful and bedtime come early for a little while.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
It is so pretty!! I know Ellie and the kitties will one day (soon) enjoy rolling around on it!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I’m bettin’ you’ll do it!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Counterpane is just stunning! Here’s hoping Ellie gives you time to knit!
August 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Oh, meme, it’s divine!
September 21st, 2008 at 1:30 am
Has it been 2 years? This project is an absolute labor of love, and absolutely gorgeous, too!