Figuring out what a soon-to-be 11-year-old boy wants... Yeah, I've no clue. And rather than knit something he'd hate, it's just easier to let him pick.
Or so I thought.
Because he had just the thing. "An X-Wing Fighter on a beanie."
Um, okay. Time to do some internet research.
Luckily, Ravelry had just the thing. (I won't post the picture here due to copyright concerns, but I encourage you to follow the link to see the picture.)
From the link on that project page, I was able to find the colorwork chart. I could do this. Probably.
On Christmas day, I showed the picture to see if the X-Wing met with his approval. It did. As did the whole beanie. Could I replicate that?
Um, sure. I guess so.
Time to look for the other charts... Which took a while. I found a Rebel Insignia (again, copyright concerns; the chart is the third from the bottom of the page) and a set of crossed lightsabers (3rd chart down). Bonus, the second link also had another X-Wing Fighter that I liked a bit better (6 charts below the crossed lightsabers).
New Year's Day (6 days after his birthday) I cast on. Soon, I had the typical rats' nest of various strands of different color yarns that typifies colorwork...
Which devolved rather quickly...
And a couple things became clear. My plan wasn't going to work. And the colorwork wasn't quite working. So, after three days of work, it was time to cut my losses...
And start over...
(No, I didn't rip that all out. Yet. Too fiddly for the moment. I may toss it, or I may try to recover the yarn when I have a day to just sit and untangle.)
On the bright side, my next attempt is going to be simpler than the first. But the colorwork (and the rats' nest on the back side) will likely be worse.
Which means I won't be replicating the beanie he saw. (I'd have to use a much finer yarn for more stitches per inch.) But I think that'll be okay. I hope. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
I hope you're able to knit him something he likes. Be glad he didn't want an actual fighter on top of his beanie.
ReplyDeleteHow cool he would want you to make him a beanie! I look forward to seeing the finished project.
ReplyDeletebetty
You're brave to take on a project like that! Hope he likes the finished product!
ReplyDeleteBrave? Maybe stupid.
DeleteYou are so very talented! I see so many cool creations popping up all over the place:)
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple blogs devoted to showing off geek crafts. Some interesting stuff out there.
DeleteI hope you're his favorite aunt after all of the trouble you're going to!
ReplyDeleteIt helps that I'm his only aunt...
DeleteLooks pretty complicated to me. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt is *sigh* it is...
DeleteYou're a good aunt to ask him what he wants and then work so hard at getting it right.
ReplyDeleteSounds complicated, but I'm sure you'll get it on this attempt :)
ReplyDeleteThis one has come out better. So far, so good, anyway.
DeleteI'm way past the days of doing something because it was challenging. I think I would have found something like that on Etsy and purchased it (not that I knit,but I would be driven crazy by that color work if I was crocheting something.) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI don't do things to be challenged. I may do challenging things if I want to end up with the finished product.
DeleteI think you're a really cool Aunt!!! Hope you're happy with the end result. Have a super year, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThat's an ambitious knitting project. You're a neat auntie. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteHi Liz - well that's great that you're attempting to give him what he wants ... amazing and as Chrys says - 'great auntie'!! Good luck and looking forward to seeing the result - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHow special that he gets something home-made and custom ordered! :)
ReplyDeleteI just hope he appreciates it (and doesn't lose this one!).
DeleteThis is cool! I am looking forward to seeing the end project
ReplyDeleteThanks. I should have it done for Monday the 23rd. (Next Monday's post is a milestone.)
DeleteOh goodness. Good luck with attempt 2!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteBest of luck! I don't envy you on this. I mean – I suck at knitting, but that aside, copying another person's work is difficult enough. Hopefully he's old enough to understand (or young enough to not care) why it may not exactly match what you showed him.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, he just wanted an X-Wing, so I think he'll be okay. If he's not, he's very good at being grateful anyway. (His parents taught him that.)
DeleteI look forward to seeing the finished project. Good luck! You're so talented; you'll get this.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm through the colorwork now, so now it's just about finishing up.
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