Friday, May 14, 2010



A Tale of Two Afghans

Hooray I have finally finished my first knitting project. For those who did not know, I was knitting a little lap rug (or afghan) for my daughter Rhianna. And here it is, in all its very homemade glory.

There are so many hours of my time lying there on that floor. Luckily Rhianna said that she loved in when she got in from school (lucky for her).

I backed the afghan with some multi -coloured polka dot flannelette. It gives it a bit more weight and hides all the errors on the other side.


And I was in sheer ecstasy today when my afghan from Marsha in the US of A turned up. The guy delivering the package thought I was delusional as I started screaming when I saw the US postage marks on the box. And here she is.....


Now that I have Marsha's wonderful work lying next to mine, I think I'll leave the yarn and wool projects to those who obviously know what they're doing. I have a lot of talents but knitting and crochet are not amongst them. And honestly, with wool being so expensive I can save the money and put it towards somebody else's creative genius.

My next project, which I am starting next week is a kaiserkraft recipe box. I have to say I do enjoy creative projects that can be knocked over in a day. Patience has never been my strong point. And to spend so much time on a blanket that looks pretty average has depressed me a little.

I know many of you are thinking that I just need to practice, practice, practice but quite honestly I'd rather do other things with my limited time. We have such a finite amount of time on this earth that I'm happy to let others be the yarn queens and move onto other things - like double chocolate mousse which I'm about to attempt now.

Have a good weekend everybody.

9 comments:

Jane said...

Both your afgans are lovely, Ness :).
But I do hear you, I love quilting and scrapbooking, but I can leave knitting and crochet to someone else. Fortunately my kids have two talented grandmothers in that department.

Vanessa said...

Thanks for that lovely comment Jane. It's made my decision to give up the yarn crafts much easier to know that someone else feels the same.

Emma Clark Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator said...

Oh you win some you lose some!!! I have discovered that I am terrible at all things wool, (I couldnt even make a proper pom pom with the girls last holidays) and anything to do with a sewing machine!!. I will stick to all things paper and cardboard. I love your new afghan looks great over that lounge and I think you did a super job on Miss R one as well!!!!

libby said...

Hi Vanessa,

You are right we have such limited free time that we need to use it for what we love best. I think it's so amazing that you've realized, and accepted, that knitting and crocheting aren't for you. I'm a bit like that with sewing. I do enjoy it but don't love it enough to ever be a good sewer but I'm happy enough to dabble from time to time. I'm a pretty bad crocheter to but I do enjoy that so will keep going - I'd better with the wool collection I have :-). I lot of us creative types have lots of interests and hobbies and shouldn't feel we have to do all of them. I love the idea of cake decorating but just know I wouldn't have the patience for it :-). I don't like anything that's too fiddly.

Oh, and I think your blanket is just fine and that you're way too hard on yourself. For your first go it's amazing. You should see my early work :-).

Libby

Vanessa said...

Thanks Libby and Emma. I was sure everyone was going to shoot me down for stopping the knitting so I am very pleased that you all have supported me.

mum x 5 said...

I think the blanket looks great. So does my 13 year old daughter. I told her that if she wants one she will have to learn to make it herself as I don't have the patience.

Mich and Georgie said...

Hi Ness,
Beautiful!! Well done. I'm happy for you to do whatever craft your heart desires - but don't burn your bridges (or needles) - you never know when the knitting urge might return! I look forward to seeing both blankets in the flesh x
MW

Sammy :0) said...

I think your attempt is beautiful! The best thing is that it was mbm - (made by mummy). I understand you not wanting to keep going though, I was much the same with scrapbooking and stamping...it just didnt give me the same sense of achievement that I get when I finish a quilt or another sewing project....

Vanessa said...

Thanks Michelle. You are welcome to drop in and see both at any time.
Sammy, I've never heard of somebody not loving scrapbooking - good on you for breaking the mould.