Tuesday, May 13, 2008

My Mother's Day Present



I was very, very, very, excited this Mother's Day. Not only are the kids getting to the age where they have their own money and therefore I truly get a surprise on Mother's Day (rather than the usual gasp of fake surprise at the pressie I picked out and paid for with my own money, but gave to daddy, to give to the kids, to wrap up and give to me,) they are also able to plan things and know what I like best. That said though being the military person I now am I couldn't let them take matters entirely into their own hands. What and have four differing opinions about what to get and what to do? I was way cleverer than that.
It began when I saw this fabulous knitting journal in my LYS. I just knew I had to have it. I wouldn't be able to live without it. If I left without that journal then my life thereafter would have been empty, void and somehow incomplete. There were however one or two minor problems, nothing that couldn't be overcome with a little bit of ingenuity. The first was the price. It was $50 and even my heart did a little flip at that, and it wasn't just the usual guilt of thinking about spending money on myself. That happens even when it's only two dollars. How could something made of paper cost so much? My heart really did sink. Oh but it was so lovely, the pages all glossy and it had a page to write down your stash, and web pages and pages for projects so I could transfer everything from the $2.99 journal I currently used as a knitting journal.



It had pockets to keep the ball band and oh so many more features. It was like sliced bread but better. The other problem was that I wasn't supposed to be buying books.



It would have been a disaster, parted from my true love before we'd even had a chance to get to know each other and enjoy a fulfilling relationship. But wait, brain started ticking and calculating. Eldest daughter just so happened to work in this LYS (more clever planning on my part. I get a very nice 10% discount) perhaps it could be put aside and I would pay a bit each week. It was definitely worth waiting for. So I arranged for it to be put behind the counter and I looked forward to daily visits to check on progress and reassure myself that it would be mine soon.
Of course I told dear daughters plus son and reminded them that Mother's Day was only a few months away (prior preparation is key) They looked distinctly uninterested as only teenagers can. But I knew they had heard and that I wouldn't have to spend a cent on that delightful book after all 50 divided by four is much easier on the finances. It meant playing a complicated game with them pretending not to know while all the time knowing they knew that I knew that they knew I knew what my present was. It was worth it.
Hopefully you're still with me. I love the journal and can't wait to start to fill in the pages.
Here's middle daughter very proudly showing off the Cat Hat she made from the Usbourne Knitting book.



It's her first piece of proper knitting and when she worn it to church on Sunday she got three orders from her pals to make them one.



It's hard to admit but her first piece is much better than my first efforts which was meant to be a doll's blanket but looked more like a lacy shawl. That would have been ok except it was all garter stitch. What was your first knitting project?

20 comments:

Louise said...

What a lovely present and something that you really, really want. You don't want to hear about any of my knitting projects, something I definitely wasn't born to do. Your daughter has most definitely got your talent and looks like she will be starting a little cottage industry of her own very soon. x

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I had a chuckle reading about your Mothers Day present - I think so much of what we do as Mothers involve giving the kids subliminal messages! What a great gift and it is always nice to get something that you really want. With all the prolific knitting you are doing, no doubt it will be filled in next to no time!

I think my first knitting project was a scarf. I was more into crochet as a child.

Tracy said...

Super present! Glad you had a great Mother's Day :o) Your daughter's hat is terrific--wonderful shape and yarn! And orders already...a budding business-woman? Happy Days :o)

Susie Q said...

Such a wonderful gift! Isn't it extra special to get something like this...something you really desired?
Your pretty daughter has your talented and creative streak! That has to be a pleasure for you to see!
Good for her getting orders!

Hugs,
Sue

Elizabeth said...

I'm pretty devious, I mean resourceful, at getting what I want gift-wise because I think it's waste of money and effort if you aren't going to love it. And I don't like surprises.
My first knitting project was a pair of leg warmers for ballet class. Turquoise acrylic, and surprisingly a perfect fit.
You daughter must be loving her first hat, it's wonderful.

Down on the Farm said...

My first knitting project???? Hummm. So long ago. I THINK it might have been a yellow cardi. Never mind checking the gauge (I still don't like to do that and don't do it well) and the sweater came out so large my mom sold it to a lady across the street. Still, when I check the gauge (the more I look at the way that is spelled the more incorrect it looks) and and approve it, the article I am working on often comes out the wrong size. HELP! As a rule, when I knit, I am so relaxed that I must use two sizes smaller needles than called for.
maranamama@triconet.org I leave my e-mail address just incase anyone has any helpful hints for me. And thanks in advance. Connie

Kitty said...

I can't remember what my first bit of knitting was - but I'll bet it was in garter stitch and extremely uneven to boot!

Sounds like a lovely Mother's Day for you - congratulations.

x

Octopus Knits said...

What a neat gift... and how very sly of you! I'm glad it all worked out and the hints were taken : )

Middle daughter's hat is great!

My first knitting project was this basic scarf (http://www.marthastewart.com/basic-scarf-pattern) on the Martha Stewart website. (If you type "basic scarf" into the Google search box, it's the first thing that pops up) I used Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. Entertainingly, it was knit super tightly - because I didn't know how to tension the yarn, I really yanked on it after each stitch.

Cheryl Miller said...

Hey, Ally, thanks for visiting my blog! Come back soon--I hope to have the slip dresses finished so you can see what they really look like.
Cheryl

Ally Jay said...

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am indeed very proud of my daughter and her talents, in fact I'm rather hoping that she'll be the one to make lots of money so I can stop working! It was worth all hints I mean suggestions as I will really treasure this book.
Great to hear about all your first projects. I never mangaged leg warmers, there were two to knit which always proved a challenge.

Twiggy said...

Hi there
Thanks for visiting my blog and for leaving such a lovely comment. My knitting is rubbish, I bought a lovely Debbie Bliss book when Twiglet was born and knitted erm, a scarf :) your daughters hat is fab, clever girl. Your knitting journal is just lovely.
Twiggy x

Caroline said...

What a great gift. My kids did choose their own gifts for me this year, but they didn't have a knitting theme. Maybe I can plant some subliminal messages early enough next year.

Your daughter's hat is darling...and so is she.

Mrs.Kwitty said...

Yeah!! What a great gift--I'm sure you will enjoy your new journal every day.

Love your daughters hat--and I love that she is already getting orders for them! Good for her!

Smiles, Karen

Liz Harrell said...

What a nice present! I've never had a 'first knitting' project. Someday. And your daughter is talented! Love the hat.

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Alison, yes life would be so much simpler if all mugs were the same, but that would be boring! Love the journal you got, what a wonderful present (even if it was your idea!)
Lucy x

dottycookie said...

What a lovely book and a lovely hat! Funnily enough I had just that conversation about first knitting projects on Sunday - mine was a sleeveless top for my Sindy doll, with dropped-stitch holes for her arms. I seem to recall it was bottle green. Delicious.

Unknown said...

My first memory of knitting was with my Granny Mo - she was a great knitter but choose really awful colors ;-) She taught me to knit a square - it was terrible and had holes in it! I hope you are enjoying your journal!

Leanne said...

It's scary how clever us mum are luck the kids don't work it out. Love that hat.

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Your daughter did a very nice job on the hat, nice even stitches (no holes!). And I love her hair! My first knitting project was booties, and I haven't really progressed much beyond that!

Willow said...

Well, I was six years old when I made my first knitting project. It was most likely a pair of slippers. Remember those? The garter stitch ones?

The cat hat is great. Love it! Congrats to the daughter. Good knitting.

And congrats to you, too, for your pressie and for your admirable foresight.