Here is the Aran that I knit for the BackBou about a year ago. Doesn't he look smashing in it? It wasn't perfect. Far from it. I was considering ripping out the bottom ribbing (which was pathetic and way too loose) and re-knitting a better bottom. The fit just wasn't right. The BackBou didn't suffer the imperfections silently either. He almost never wore it and the looseness of it bothered him constantly. He appreciated the effort and the yarn (bought on our Ireland trip on the island of Inishmore), but the sweater drove him crazy.
Well, I decided that I would block it. But I just never got around to it. So finally, my beloved BackBou took matters into his own hands.
Can I take a brief moment here to say how painful this is to me? Painful, not because of the results per se, but because I would like our readers to think of me as ... clever? ... well, at the very least, not dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Not handknit savvy in the least. So, if you would like to go on thinking that I am not the most idiotic knitter out there, close this webpage now. Navigate away gentle readers, or else be prepared to be aghast at my stupidity.
When he said that he was going to block the sweater, I may have been doing something else. I know I wasn't really focused on what he was saying. I think I said something like, "mmm, that's nice. Try cold water and the handwash setting." And then I went back to gardening, breaking up a sibling fight, folding laundry, paying bills, ... whatever.
I forgot about it. Forgot until that night when the BackBou yelled up from the basement, "Ann -- you have to come down here right now." It was this horrible, fuzzy, wild ... thing. The sweater is now 20 inches from shoulder to bottom with a 58 inch circumference. 58 inch. 58 inch. And really fuzzy. Lots of fuzz. This picture doesn't even begin to capture how awful the fuzz is.
I can't go on any more. Except to say, it will make great pillows.
10 comments:
Oh. My. God. I think I've got the vapors! Get the smelling salts!
Oh, Back Bou is going to have to pay for this one dearly.
I think I would cry. My husband has very strict orders that the vest I made him last year (alpaca, heavy cables) is not to go anywhere near the vincinity of the washing machine or the laundery basket - otherwise there may be a divorce or a murder. I feel for you.
oh jeez! that sucks. my bf wouldn't even attempt anything with a handknit unless i reassure him that it's acrylic. and even if i offered to supervise, he would rather i do it.
you could always make it into a bag...? so backbou could still get some use out of it...
DH always "lets" me do all the washing just in case there is something important in the wash. So sorry!
Oh Ann, what is there to say? I am so, so sorry.
my aunt warned me 20 years ago to never knit for a significant other... I always winders why...
but what a great idea! pillow cover, yes!! it will be great. out of every "bad" thing comes a brilliant idea.
:-)
oh no :( i don't even know what to say. i'm so sorry.
Hey c'mon ... its not like there was tag that said "no lavare"! How was I to know? Anyways, I was in a rush 'cause I needed swap out the suspension on my monster truck before going out with the boyz to Hooters to catch the game.
Bring it on people!
yrrrrrgh. No words. I'm so sorry that happened.
But thanks -- I always wondered how cables felt. Um -- would felt. Because cables don't have feelings. Or do they?
Hey, if you felt it some more, then maybe hack it up and dye pieces ... you could make any number of things. Clutch bag? Book cover? Bolero?
Hope you're doing something nice for yourself. Eek. There but for the grace ...
OK - opportunity to make these pillows I saw in a decorating magazine. Stuff the sweater and sew the openings together - neck, cuffs, waist. Then, tack the cuffs together in front of the sweater - slightly crossed like someone is holding their hands in front. The magazine also showed jeans stuffed. Made cool pillows for kids.
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