I knew it was a tall order when I set the goal of knitting and entire man-size Aran sweater, in secret, in just under two months, since most of my knitting happens in the evenings, when Lovely Husband is usually around. But as March drew to a close, I was certain, despite our planned trip to the Netherlands – when I wouldn’t be able to do any secret knitting – I was going to make it. However, as as regular readers will know, when April dawned, I was struck down with flu.
For the first four days , I didn’t even look at my knitting needles. Unfortunately they were four days when I had a significant amount of secret knitting planned. Day five I picked up a simple piece of stocking stitch and was amazed that I just couldn’t get my brain to connect to my fingers to knit the stitches.
I have no real memory of learning to knit beyond my mother sitting next to me trying to work out how to teach me to knit right handed when she was left handed. I guess, as long as I was making some sort of fabric, I wasn’t too critical of my efforts. So I’ve never thought knitting difficult. But I’m revising that opinion now.
The level of concentration I needed to do something I can normally do with my eyes shut, was incredible. The experience left me thinking about how complex knitting really is and hard it can be to learn to knit – although I’m still sure some people pick it up in a flash. It’s also made me much more intrigued about the idea of knitting being good for you mentally and physically.
However, although that all feels very positive learning, I’m sorry to say, I’m not going to get the secret sweater finished in time for Lovely Husband’s birthday 😦
Dartmoor Creative 
Oh Bekki, what a shame 😔 perhaps you can get it done for Fathers day!! Actually. I’m surprised they don’t have a husband day, or do they? They seem to have days for everything else! Oh, a knitters day would be good to 😉
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I’m going to wrap it up in bits and give it to him. It’s very much from me, so not really right for father’s day. Also with being unwell, I haven’t even got anything else for him. No aware of husband’s day, but I’m sure hallmark will soon invent it. As for knitters day, that sounds like a jolly good idea 😉
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That is a shame but does it really matter? It might not be finished, but you can still show him what you have done? I think it is always lovely seeing someone make something for you, watching the time and effort they take and I believe that love goes into every stitch of a handmade item. (I always think about the person I am making for while I do it).
I don’t work well to goals and targets, for me, it destroys the joy of a project because the goal overshadows the making – especially if it is a tight deadline – we are all different.
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This goal has definitely spurred me on, although it’s probably the secrecy that’s helping me feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t be – which is always appealing 🙂 I’ve definitely loved knitting every stitch as well as hopefully putting lots of love into it. And yes, as I said to Sharon, I will wrap it in pieces and show him.
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Don’t be so hard on yourself. Heal and feel better. My tactic would be to wrap up the knitting-in-progress and give it to your husband on his birthday. He’ll have something to look forward to when it’s finished. It is beautiful, by the way. The color is so rich. Love it!
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Thank you 🙂 As yes, I will. There’s even a box waiting on the kitchen table to put it in, so he doesn’t guess it’s a sweater by squishing it.
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I’d agree with the above comments – or you could make him wait and give it a Christmas
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But I can’t wait that long to give it to him 🙂
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What a shame after all your efforts, but you really can’t help being knocked out with flu for a week. Sometimes life just happens! It’s interesting to teach the girls at school. Like you say, some pick it up almost immediately, and others struggled or quite some time. They usually come back for more though, so they clearly enjoy it 🙂
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I agree with Fredtheneedle Bekki – he will love it no matter how or when he gets it! It looks fabulous! I can never keep a knitting/crochet project secret, the recipients always know what is going on and watch the process excitedly 🙂 I was a teacher in a Steiner school for many years where knitting is taught from age 7 to both sexes for the very reason it is invaluable cross hemisphere learning, invaluable for hand eye coordination and dexterity, plus problem solving and math skills not to mention an invaluable life skill to have!
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Thanks Pauline – he’d better 😉 I’m always impressed when people say they learned knitting at school. Apparently six formers who want to become medical students like learning it because it’s good for their dexterity. So hopefully it is becoming more appreciated in the mainstream.
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Sad about the deadline but good about the love. I am sure his love for you will understand your wish and that you were sick and he will appreciate the secret! Be well! On another note, it is good of you to admit the challenge knitting is. I only know the basics…when I look at some patterns I shrink away being too intimidated! Beauty of a sweater!
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Thanks for the support. Like any learning, we need to build skills slowly, so maybe when you find yourself shrinking ask yourself what’s intimidating you and build those missing skills up one at a time?
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Sorry about that, why not gift it for Christmas. I once made a towelling robe for my husband. I ran out of time to hem it. He sulked all day!
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Naughty husband! As for Christmas, I can’t wait that long 🙂
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He has still not quite got over it either after 20 years!!
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🙂
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I think he will have such fun when he opens up the wrapping to discover the pieces of what clearly promises to be a stunning blue sweater. Best of both worlds: a gift that is part surprise, and part shared process! Sounds like a delightful birthday present. 🙂 ps~ I am left handed, too. Xo
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Let’s hope so 🙂
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I gave my daughter a quilt top for her 18th birthday, beautifully wrapped – then asked for it back so I could put it together with the batting and backing and then quilt and bind it – all of which I had planned to have done in time but it just didn’t happen. She didn’t mind at all
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Good for her. I gave it to him yesterday and he was very happy to let me have it back, but he did keep asking if it was going to be big enough!
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Your husband will love it even though it’s not finished – it doesn’t matter, it’s the thought that counts and he will appreciate all the effort that has gone into making it without him knowing. And at least you won’t have to knit the rest in secret 😉
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I gave it to him yesterday and he was very pleased – although he did say he’d never have noticed if I had knitted it in front of him 🙂
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I gave my daughter a quilt top for her 18th birthday, beautifully wrapped – then asked for it back so I could put it together with the batting and backing and then quilt and bind it – all of which I had planned to have done in time but it just didn’t happen. She didn’t mind at all.
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