Signal flags
Readers of long memory may recall that I began a sort of Mason-Dixon-Gee’s Bend-Log Cabin blanket this summer. Knowing how apt I am to jump from project to project when the mood strikes, it probably doesn’t even surprise you that I haven’t mentioned it since. But progress has been made, of which I offer the following proof:
I’ve been stealthily knitting these at night, during movies and episodes of 24 (I’m still catching up with Season 5). Garter stitch on #9 needles makes for ideal television knitting. Hung against my chimney, they remind me of nautical signal flags. I’m not sure what I’m saying with this arrangement, but had I been a knitter in my childhood, I’m sure I would have found a way to use squares like these to communicate secrets to my friends. We loved codes and ciphers. The intended recipients of this blanket number among those early companions, and I hope they’ll read my affection for them in these bright squares. I owe them a super-awesome wedding present, because their gift to me on the occasion of my own wedding was an incredible design of cranes under the moon, each bird itself entirely composed of hundreds of tiny origami cranes. We received many lovely and generous wedding presents, but that took first prize in terms of hours of loving work, and I couldn’t do less than repay them in kind.
  
The blanket is, I estimate, half done. I have no idea how it will look in the end: I’ve played with different arrangements of squares, and when I’ve completed a few more motifs I may take pictures of the various layout possibilities and have you vote for the winner. Then I’ll have to do some fancy work on connector parts, since I haven’t paid a whit of attention to the size of the squares and how they might cozy up to each other.
Tomorrow: Socktoberfest is on! My socks are already underway (and yes, so is Retro Rib, which is punishing my long neglect by striping in columns like a freak).
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 4:13 am
oooh, i love the designs and colors!! what yarn did you use? for some reason, i don’t remember you starting this project!
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 5:41 am
very nice. i wanna see the origami cranes!
and does your semaphore say “knit more?”
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 6:37 am
I don’t remember this project either… I do remember you saying that you had been hugely inspired by the Gee’s Bend exhibit. Looks great! I wonder what configuration you’re going to go for…
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 6:47 am
Great squares! I look forward to seeing more.
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 7:52 am
I love those squares against your chimmney – maybe when you’re finished the blanket you could knit a few to decorate your home!
Posted: October 2nd, 2006 at 2:11 pm
I do remember this project. The blocks look great so far – I really like the color combos you’ve chosen.
Posted: October 4th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Geez, you’ve been busy! They’re gorgeous–and I agree with Mebeth–you need some of your own squares for your house! Your friends are going to be so happy–esp. if they do origami, they’ll truly understand the time and love and energy put into a handmade gift. 🙂
Posted: October 4th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Love the squares and how each one is different-it’s going to be a gorgeous blanket!
Posted: October 5th, 2006 at 7:34 am
The colors are jsut great, so natural. The blanket is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to see it all done!
Posted: October 6th, 2006 at 4:18 am
Oh, you do inspire! Summer, ’05, I saw the Gees Bend exhibit in Boston. You have captured its essence in the knitting of these squares. I crochet and have been slowly working on a crocheted ‘quilt’ using the book, The Crocheter’s Quilt Book by Elyse Sommer. I like how you have displayed your squares–I’d be tempted to leave it at that!