i just had to make a chart . . .

Posted on annePosted in Uncategorized

you know how charts are used to make data more interesting, or to make a presentation of data more effective? at least, that is what they are supposed to do. they are not supposed to inflict terror on the viewer.

this chart arrived from my niece on friday. it represents the (densely) assembled data on family measurements. that is, just her family. i’m only going to share half of it, because i don’t want to frighten anybody else, the way i was when i opened it.

i mean, the kid did a great job—i sent her the empty chart with a tape measure about 4 months ago. she measured everybody’s everything (and no, not that), charted likes and dislikes, and even included measurements in centimeters, in case maybe i’d be knitting in another part of the world any time soon.

but still, the total effect is a little overwhelming. who knew that there could be that much humanity on one sheet of paper? and now, i get the sneaky suspicion that they all think i am totally capable of whipping up something from the chart for each of them before christmas. how reliable a sense of time do you think a kid from a family of nine has?

so, right after i finish this post i need to head upstairs to do some serious stash diving into the felting yarns. like i said earlier, i think all the little kids at least are getting slippers. my niece hinted at a shrug, but i don’t know if i have time for that. i think some cute ruffled mitts would be good—she made sure to include several color choices, so it would be hard to get it wrong. the stickler is gonna be my 14-year-old nephew. what to make for him?

i spent most of yesterday knitting on socks. i haven’t done a whole day of socks in a long time. i finished these Rococo socks (you’ll have to excuse the disparity in the photo colors—i dunno what’s up with that, but i don’t really feel like fixing it now).

i even have a pattern ready to go. actually, writing the pattern was a bit of an avoidance technique, but i think i can face some more knitting now. i had a little lag in enthusiasm this morning, so i did some work for my job, and wrote a pattern til i shook that off.

i also got one of the austermann step socks done. i’m having trouble naming them though. i was thinking that they look like faded christmas colors, so maybe a not-quite-christmas theme? and will someone tell me why i have to name them all anyway?? it’s really getting to be a thing with me. as if they all have their own lives or something.

i definitely like this yarn a lot. i like knitting it and i like the way it feels. as soon as all the christmas knitting is done, i’m starting a pair for myself. this colorway was supposed to be mine, but i decided in the middle of the night this last week that i had to start a gift pair right that minute with it. it was either that or use the only skein i’ll probably ever buy of fleece artist.

i know—so much for the unselfish act of giving handknits.

and that’s it! the weekend is almost over . . . i mean tomorrow i have classes all day, which is kinda like a day off for me, so that will be nice. but who couldn’t use a little more weekend?

9 thoughts on “i just had to make a chart . . .”

  1. Oh my.

    That’s… quite the list.

    …And I thought I had troubles what with three christmas presents on the needles… I’ll send good knitting-vibes your way, because there just aren’t too many days left before Christmas. Slippers sound like an excellent idea.

  2. The austermann step socks remind me of candy: redhots and caramels. The ever-so-carefully filled out chart made me laugh — bless your young niece’s heart — but I can certainly understand how it invoked terror in yours. She must be a good student! The Rococo socks are very pretty. Why not name your creations — better than numbers! Happy knitting!

  3. The Rocco pattern is quite lovely and I do love the color.

    14-year old boys are all about skull caps. I’m sure you couldn’t go wrong with a snug fitting cap, Or one with ear flaps.

    Your austerman socks look like some sort of dessert and they are a treat for the feet. Maybe just call them the Sweet Socks?

  4. You know what the austerman socks look like to me? Neapolitan ice cream–the kind that comes in the quart with one block chocolate, one block strawberry, and one block vanilla. Mmmm…yummy. Those socks look good enough to eat! The Rococo socks are beautiful as well. Nice job, once again!

  5. Oh.My.Gosh. Anne. What ARE you going to do with that CHART????? There’s only one thing you CAN do. Tell your niece it never arrived in the mail, and run down to Barnes and Noble and get gift certificates for the whole lot of them!! Then, AFTER Christmas, tell your niece it got shuffled in with Christmas cards, and it DID arrive, and you will get to work right away for NEXT Christmas!!! But I know you won’t do that; nope. Super Auntie will pull it out of the hat once again, and come off the Knitting Conquerer! Well, I DO love that step sock. It is beautiful. And Laurie M is right about the skull cap and 14 year old boys. Unless he’s the type that would like a calculator cozy….

  6. That’s a lot of peeps, and a lot of gifts! Is this the only chart you’ll be working from, or is there another list of gifts you’ll be knitting???

  7. Umm, hmm, (as I clear my throat!), 9 gifts. Yeah, not so sure about that shrug either. 14 year olds, I’d go for a cool hat, skull caps are good, or see about one with fair isle, with the earflaps. My 13 yo stepson wanted one with striped and earflaps and a pompon last year and was very happy with it. I would use those socks from Austermann as gift knitting too, b/c seriously how will you finish?

  8. I think the Austerman socks look like an old-fashioned, Midwestern country Christmas. Reminds me of Grandma’s ancient Christmas ornaments that are so faded and still so dear…
    Happy knitting!

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