are you sitting down?

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

you might need a tissue, too

is it possible to love anything more than i love this thing?

(pssst, i took all these pictures myself—obviously, i’m not much of a self-portraitist)

david has learned to knit.
in secret.
while i was at TNNA.
with help from my friend kim thank you kim!!). they bonded while we were there in january (there’s nothing like a guy that loves your friends).

and he made me this scarf.
he even blocked it (that was his own idea, no prompting from kim).

it’s the perfect size to wear at my desk, when i get the coldest—big enough to be warm as a shawl and cover my lap, small enough not to get in my way while i work.

i haven’t taken it off since he gave it to me.
after classes were over yesterday, the house seemed really quiet, but i knew david was here somwhere.
so i went looking and ended up on the third floor. there he was, surrounded by TV wiring with his hands behind his back. when he drew them out, this is what filled them

i made this for you, he said.
i’ve always hoped that someday he’d try knitting, but i never ask him . . . i figured he’d come to it at some point if he really wanted to. then while i was at TNNA, he got into a discussion with kim about it. before he knew what hit him, she’d set him up with some yummy yarn (manos del uruguay) and got him working the needles (kim is so clutch; she’s a woman in charge.).

really, you could knock me over with a feather. still.
but wow, am i ever thrilled about it—i always pictured him enjoying knitting, but wondered if it would ever come true. and i think he likes it, though he says he can’t do it while watching TV yet. heh, that will come eventually. i’m looking forward to better stash management now that we are a multi-knitter household.
(actually, my imagination is running wild with the possibilities, but i’ll leave it at that for now.)

i wonder what he’ll do next??

190 thoughts on “are you sitting down?”

  2. That is so wonderful. I’ve always hoped I could entice my husband to weave singles that I’d learn to spin but alas….unless the action of the loom was the only way he could power his computer, I don’t think it will happen. But then again…..miracles do happen.

  5. That is such a cool suprise! It looks so cozy, like having a hug from him whenever you are wearing it.

  12. That is so unbelievably beautiful.
    WHat a complete treasure he gave you.

    Makes me all misty eyed reading your post.

    Isn’t True Love amazing?!

  13. David, you are a Prince. No better gift than a gift of love. Anne, you are a lucky woman…but I am pretty sure you know that already.

  14. I should have heeded your warning about the tissue; my laptop and I are both a little tear soaked! What a wonderful surprise and an even greater gift of love! Isn’t it grand!!

  25. OMG, that is AWESOME. You’ve got yourself a keeper there, Anne — the wrap, the yarn, THE HUSBAND! But you already knew that. 😉 And BTW, that’s an amazing amount of knitting for a new knitter, especially on the sly!

  26. I’ve certainly seen lots of gorgeous things on your blog…but that beats them all. I’m a little teary-eyed right now.

    And the man knows how to pick yarn! I love Manos.

  29. OK, Anne! You made a comment about me wearing my shawl solo for Valentine’s Day. You could knit the same way!!!

    Actually, that is really cool. I’ve mentioned it to my husband because I think he’d enjoy it. I’m showing him this post.

  33. Wow, what a fabulous surprise and gift! The scarf is beautiful not to mention full of love of course you don’t want to take it off. I already thought David was a romantic from various comments you have made, but I think this even tops refinishing your dad’s desk.

    Does he by any chance have a brother who is single? 🙂

  34. Such a lovely scarf! I taught my boyfriend to knit a few years ago but he never really got into it, until this Christmas when he knit me a lengthwise scarf from some of my leftovers. It took him forever since he’s a slow and awkward knitter, which makes me appreciate it all the more! So long as he doesn’t start pilfering the stash…

  38. What a lovely collaboration between your husband and your friend … sweetest thing EVAH! Beautiful yarn, too.

    I once coordinated a collaborative knitted blanket for a friend’s baby shower. Her grad school mentor’s wife is an expert knitter, contributed several elaborate squares for the blanket, and at the same time taught her husband to knit, since he wanted to contribute a square as well!

  43. If we hadn’t seen the pictures of David, we’d have to think you made him up 🙂 Photographs, models, renovates the house, bakes cakes, and now he knits!!!

    You were right about the tissues–that is the one of the sweetest gifts ever.

    Kathleen

    Please give D my best–he is such a good sport for appearing in your blog–unlike many of the nameless, faceless mystery partners (and I totally understand why they may wish to remain so)–but I want you two to know how much I appreciate your generous glimpses into your shared life.

  44. The previous posts just say it all. What a wonderful, thoughtful gift – fabulous job, David – the colors are gorgeous; it looks so snuggly and cozy – just perfect for a cold Ohio winter!

  45. That is so sweet! And it looks gorgeous-no wonder you don’t want to take it off!

    I love mushy real-life romantic stories like this. 🙂

  47. WOW AND WOW ANNE – yea to DAVID – that is what love is all about – now you can be surrounded by his love even when he is not there

    yours in knitting ——pat

  50. He finished it! And so quickly — go David! It’s so cozy and pretty; I can see why you’d love it (totally aside from the awww factor, which is pretty darned huge here). Talk about the perfect present 🙂

  54. Oh Anne!!! What a beautiful surprise!!! That talented hubby of yours really outdid himself this time. He did a beautiful job. Tell David that all of us knitting gals will be sending our husbands over for a lesson or two. Enjoy your gift & I can’t wait to see it at class.

  55. Now that is love! So in a few years we will be reading how you have worn this scarf to tatters – just like the sweaters you have knit him 🙂

  57. Le sigh.
    What a sweet surprise!
    I dream of someday receiving a knit object from my husband…I have given up asking if he would like a lesson.
    I think he’s afraid he’ll like it too much. 🙂

  59. I’m with Kathleen. You have a jewel of a husband.

    I bet you were bowled over. What a sweet thing for him to do for you! It’s nice and substantial, too!

  60. Wow! Just–Wow. What a sweet guy! Not sure what you mean by “better stash management”. Do you think he’ll make you better shelves and cubbies, or are you looking forward to twice as much stash? LOL

  62. Oh my goodness, what an amazing and lovely gift. I would be still weepy about it. It says something beautiful about your love for each other; it’s a gorgeous manifestation of it.
    I feel like I get showered all the time with blessings and gifts, but this is absolutely OVER. THE. TOP!

  63. Yeah David! That is awesome! The stitches look great and that can be tricky yarn to knit! You are a lucky lady.

  65. completely adorable! and what great yarn, too; it gives a lot of interest to the garter stitch. and, frankly, i think garter stitch does not get enough love in general. it’s so textural!

  66. That is so sweet! Jeff is sitting next to me and said he wants David’s email so he can send a couple emails. 😉 You have yourself a wonderful man!

  68. That is the sweetest thing I’ve heard in ages. I got the tears and chills reading about the scarf David made you. You have a wonderful man!

  69. What a sweet guy!!!

    You two are great, and I love reading about your life together as well as your new designs and seeing the gorgeous finished products (David’s included!)!

  72. What can I say, in the 72nd comment, except that the scarf is way cool! I wouldn’t want to take it off, either, if my own DH had knitted it for me!

  79. Amazingly beautiful, warm, useful, and full of love ~ I think this is one of the best gifts ever! Thank you to David for making all of us knitters (79 so far!) very happy; thank you Anne for sharing this true gift from the heart and hands, and thank you Kim for wonderful enabling!

  80. Anne,
    I can’t even imagine the emotions you felt when he presented that beautiful gift to you. I’m ovewhelmed with tears and joy just looking at it. I guess it’s the strong silent type that always surprise us. And, it’s so pretty on you.
    Sigh… lucky woman.

  81. I wouldn’t take it off either. David, you’re a really special man and Anne is lucky to have you, but I think she knows that!

  82. Your blog is sprinkled with evidence of the quiet, special love you share with David. It always makes me smile. Here is just one more instance of the blessings in your lives. Good on you both.

  88. What a WONDERFUL man!,…..you are very lucky….just from reading this blog it’s obvious how much in love you are!,….people who have a period in their life like this are VERY blessed,…enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  89. Now That is an amazing gift – loving someone enough to participate in their hobby is really amazing. The scarf is beautiful, and I imagine you smiling ear-to-ear every single time you see it for the rest of your life… talk about the perfect present!

  91. What a terrific man you have! A lot of husbands (and boyfriends) could take a lesson from David. Beautiful scarf/shawl too!

  93. That is so sweet! Tell David, that he did a beautiful job! Kudos to Kim for nudging him along. I know he must have been so excited to give it to you! I hope that he decides to keep knitting-you two could have a lot of fun together. Just don’t overwhelm him! 🙂

  95. OMG….what can I say that hasn’t been said…WOW! David is sure a treasure and you two are so lucky to have each other!

  99. You are one lucky girl. The scarf is beautiful. David is beautiful. The scarf is the most precious gift, ever. If more men would “get it,” as David obviously does, wouldn’t love be wonderful?! The scarf is just beautiful. Please, tell him. Way to go, KIM!

  100. Aw, what a guy. You are both very lucky to have one another. And it’s beautiful! I recently sold a skein of that very same Manos colorway, and now I’m kicking myself. 🙂 He’s a knitter AND he has great taste!

    After a morning I spent listening to more depressing economic news, thank you for shining a bright light on what really matters and for sharing your simple but very significant joy.

  101. Aw, that is just wonderful! Wow. Really special. What a kind hearted thing he did making a scarf for you! Very thoughtful. I can only imagine how much you treasure your gift.

  103. Yay for David! He did a wonderful job and you are a lucky lady. I must admit, I secretly hope my husband NEVER knits for I just wouldn’t be able to share my yarn stash.

  107. Woot Woot. That is fabulous! The colors are awesome. 🙂 David – great job! (No fair- your first finished knitting looks too good to be true! *grin* Good thing my first finished knitterly things are well hidden…then I can explain that moths got to them…)

  108. OMG, can we get a YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! My heart filled up and I don’t even know the guy!!!!! well hardly anyway….

  109. De-lurking to applaud your David. I feel like a total geek for admitting that this post made me choke up, but there you. So sweet!!!

  119. OMG! I skimmed the pictures and was admiring the yarn which is just beautifuland I then I read that David made it! Those are truly all your colors in that shawl! Bake that man a cake!

  123. Yowza! You are one lucky woman!

    Kudos to David. That is no small project. It looks great and I even love the little beginner’s mistakes because it gives the fabric a lot of character.

  124. Pass me a tissue… that’s the most romantic thing I’ve heard in a long time. You’re one lucky woman.

  125. That is really the sweetest thing! I think that every knitter has a little secret dream that their spouse will just *try* it… 😉

    David – it’s Perfect – and you are a wonderful husband (but I am sure that she has already told you that a few times).

  129. Aaawwww! That is the most darling gift!!! I’m sitting here sniffling along w/all your other fans. And in such a classic Manos colorway (Wildflowers).

    For a new knitter, he’s goshdarn fast too.

  134. that is wonderful! my brother-in-law hinted at me teaching him to knit since I was teaching is wife. maybe i should get him some yummy yarn and get started!

  135. That is just the most romantic thing I’ve heard this February. Wow! So your husband is talented (the scarf is beautiful) lovely and handsome. Where can I get me one of those?

  136. Dear David –

    Is there another one like you at home? If so, could I please have his number?

    Barbara

  137. This is the kind of present that makes your year! What a wonderful and caring husband you have. He truly knows the way to your heart. Great job David and such wonderful colors too!

  138. How wonderful. He loves you more than anything, That scarf says you are my life more than any other gift could. So special. Enjoy every second of it. Happy family knitting!

  140. that’s a great story. he learned really fast to crank out that scarf/shawl in that length. go david!! you are one of the great ones.

  141. Aw, what a sweet slightly-after-Valentine’s present! The only problem with having another knitter in the house is having to share the yarn.

    Good job, David!

  145. I’ve said this before…I wish we could clone him!

    And now, I’ll say – you’re just about the luckiest gal around – you go, DAVID!!!
    (((Hugs)))

  146. How cool for you! And how cool for David!

    Once my husband learned to knit it was a very short time before he started to amass his own stash. Now we each have one! (And I’m pretty sure his has more yarn in it than mine!) It is fun though to live with a person who understands. It’s like a 24 hour knitting group around here.

  147. seriously? that may be the most romantic thing I have ever heard in my life. you are one lucky gal. all I want to know is…how many skeins did he use? because that looks like one awesome sittin-in-front-on-the-tv-veging out garter stitch wonder to me!

  148. I think you could safely say that David no longer belongs to the ranks of the “gift challenged”. Very nice indeed.

  149. Oh my word! You have found yourself a keeper in that man, lucky dog you. I’ve managed to seduce most of the members of my household, but as I’m only 15 I have no experience on the husband front. I’ll be thankful if I’m half as lucky as you!

  151. That’s seriously about the sweetest thing ever! And if every other knitter online didn’t already have a little sweet spot for David, they would now!

  153. Awwwww… I don’t know what else to say that hasn’t been said except to thank you for sharing such a lovely personal experience. I’ve read the story twice and I can’t imagine a nicer yarn selection or size of scarf or any detail to change for your husband’s surprise first knitting project for you. He keeps on proving how special a guy he is, you lucky grrl.

  154. Wow! There is something sooooooooooo sexy about a man that knits! You are one lucky lady 🙂 Enjoy the lovely gift ~ you must be loved an awful lot.

  157. When I opened your blog today and saw this very strange and loose garter stitch something or other, I became disoriented and thought I had opened somebody else’s blog by accident. Then I thought, my gosh, Anne has totally lost her marbles!!

    You’re right about the Kleenex–I needed one….

    You two are so lucky to have each other!!

  159. I found it hard enough to knit a scarf like that, just for myself, as a discipline to learn. That he did this for YOU, Anne . . . OMG, one needs a cable needle (or two or three) to process the involutions of love, respect, regard, affection entwined in that yarn. I don’t have a David, but I SO celebrate this with you and thank you for sharing. It’s beautiful.

  160. Anne, he is a keeper. That is a beautiful scarf and it is very even. I remember my first scarf. Somehow there were missing stitches and extra stitches. Maybe he will start giving you a sweater every year.

  161. That is the sweetest story ever… and the coolest scarf. How wonderful for both of you.

    LynnH in Lansing, MI where it’s also chilly at my desk

  164. No wonder you never want to take it off ! It looks wonderful, good job David ! I guess this was just the best surprise he could ever give you 🙂

  165. That is so sweet! Great job, David! (Wish MY first scarf had looked half as good!) Of course you never want to take it off! What a great guy!

  169. What a dreamy scarf! I made my husband read this blog post, and at the end, he said, “Dear, I don’t ever think I’ll be a knitter.” I don’t think my hint was too subtle but maybe he’ll come around someday.

    I can see David knitting socks in no time. And I bet they’ll be gorgeous!

  170. Gorgeous! I guess you’ll have to keep him now. While we were still going out, my now-husband crocheted a scarf for me in red and white with zig-zaggy spikes (he’d never crocheted before and he made up the pattern). I still have the scarf and we will celebrate our 40th(!) anniversary next year.

  177. That is awesome!! He did such a great job! 😀 It’s beautiful, and I can definitely understand why you love it so! Now… will you be sharing the stash or will he be getting his own? 😉

  181. That is the most wonderful scarf ever! *love*

    You wonder what he’ll do next? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that you’d gotten a new sweater of his own design for Christmas… Those new knitters can be ambitious! (Take my 5 year old nephew, for example, who doesn’t care for learning on a swatch: he wants to start on a sweater right away!)

  184. I’m a little behind in reading blog posts, so I just saw this, and as I was reading my husband walked in. I told him all about how David did this for you, and showed him your work, and how I thought that this was so sweet of him. My husband was suitably impressed, however I don’t think he is going to learn to knit for me anytime soon!

  188. Though I was sitting down I did not get a kleenex… I should have.
    I would tell you that you have a treasure ofa amn there… but you knew that already. Instead please tell David that that gorgeous scarf rocks!!! As does he.

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