I am knitting the hardest thing I've ever knitted before.
It sucks.

I have wanted an Aran sweater for a long time, so I started making one. So far I have done eight rows of pattern, four one day and four another. Four is actually too much for one sitting, at least at this point when I haven't really memorized any of the segments of the pattern yet. I have never had to concentrate so hard on a project before.

The pattern isn't available anywhere online, but I found a work-in-progress photo on knitting blog. She had let it sit for over two years and made it her New Year's resolution to finish in 2008. I wonder if she did.

I resolve to do two rows a day.

I also found a hilarious official photo of the sweater. No, I am not making the beret. Or holding a paddle.

Posted by: Sarah at 04:43 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 151 words, total size 1 kb.

1 But---but--the beret is so JAUNTY!! You know,those patterns were varied,clan by clan, so that when the fishermen wearing them fell over board and washed up on shore they could be identified... You could make up your own crazy pattern for "Clan Grok " --we'd be none the wiser

Posted by: MaryIndiana at December 30, 2008 02:34 AM (p105G)

2 So you've accepted the ultimate challenge at last! It sucks. But it will rock when you're done. I have wanted an Aran sweater for a long time, so I started making one. And when the rest of us want something, we just buy it. Oh, you "crafty" folk! But---but--the beret is so JAUNTY!! I agree with Mary. Be like us lazy people. Buy a beret and paddle - and pose! How did you find the pattern? You could make up your own crazy pattern for "Clan Grok" Maybe you could do that after you're done with this first sweater. Gulchwear could be your next project.

Posted by: Amritas at December 30, 2008 02:52 AM (HGaLd)

3 I totally think the paddle adds that little bit of, I don't know, firmness to the look.

Posted by: airforcewife at December 30, 2008 05:08 AM (Fb2PC)

4 I made a sweater of what looks like the same pattern for my husband many years ago. He loved it, but I really didn't knit much after that. Hard, very hard, but in those days I had more spirit to try something like that. I think it wound up in the dog's bed after quite a few years.

Posted by: Ruth H at December 30, 2008 09:50 AM (Y4oAO)

5 I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and love it! I must be a weirdo, but I love aran knitting--it's intarsia that drives me mad. The beauty of aran is that it's repetitious, so once you figure out where the pattern is going, you won't have to hover over your book. Good luck with it! Please keep up with the groking/blogging, I've added you to my daily reading list!

Posted by: Valarie at December 30, 2008 02:46 PM (6uT+v)

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