Friday, November 20, 2009

justifying a rainbow

If you're a knitter (or a mother or a daughter) you'll see the logic in my newest project. My middle daughter Mckenzie got a new-to-her (thrifted) winter coat. We had one here at the house that her older sister had worn two winters ago...but Maggie and Mckenzie are very different when it comes to certain things. Maggie's old coat was a bit 'too puffy and too purple' for Mckenzie. That was fine I told her, but I wasn't spending $80 on a new coat just because the one at home was 'too puffy and too purple'. It worked out however, that we were both blessed to find her current winter coat at the consignment shop for $8.00. BONUS! And it was tangerine to top it off. We've never had a tangerine coat before. She's a girl after my heart because as we were leaving the consignment shop she said, "Mom, maybe you could knit me a new scarf to go with my coat?" oh. man. melt my heart. She knew I wouldn't be able to resist that request. So, a couple of weeks later, as John and I were out on a date, I found the perfect yarn for my rainbow girl with the tangerine coat. Here's where you might have to be a knitter to appreciate the project. The yarn was hand dyed with some mohair and it cost $15. Yes, I recognize that was almost double the cost of the coat. But you know...it's rainbow for goodness' sake. It will match every coat she ever gets from here on out. It's an investment in the future (ahem) and a deposit in my little girl, who's not so little anymore.So...here's the knitty gritty on the scarf:
pattern: none..but I did follow the directions to Jared Flood's Noro Striped Scarf
yarn: Dancing Leaf Farm's Salsa and Paton's Classic wool in ivory (which I had leftover from another project...so it doesn't count)
needles: size 7
length: 75 inches
being able to knit something special for my girl: priceless
*Mckenzie is thrilled with her new scarf. So being the obsessive knitter good mother that I am, I asked Maggie if she would want one too. She said, "It's really pretty mom, but it's Mckenzie's style...not mine." enough said.

26 comments:

Kristyn Knits said...

enough said...lol
her scarf looks great and the smile on her face is priceless! I love the rainbows you create for your family to enjoy!

Meg said...

I love it--and I was thinking to myself "it'll go with every color coat!"

I've had that scarf pattern saved in my favorites for a while. I'm happy to see that it looks fantastic with a solid color (I was going to do the same thing of using a solid from my stash to keep the cost down.)

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!! It is so pretty!!!! =) =) =) Its so bright and colorful!!! =) its RAINBOW!!! lol =)
Emily

The WoodLand School said...

The scarf is just wonderful ... and the justification even better :-) I'm going to share this post with my husband the next time I justify a project of my own.

Green Acres in the City said...

I have taken up crocheting and working on Christmas gifts. Cameron asked last night if I was going to make him a scarf. And he wants red! I love my little guy!

mark said...

totally rainbowlicious! i so connect with living and giving relationally. and this post has big helpings of both. great job, mom. and beautiful smile, z. great lessons learned, and great love given.

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

Oh girls -- you have to love them! But, boy-oh-boy do they have minds of their own. What a nice ending to this year's coat drama. The scarf is lovely.
-- Jodi

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Oh that's wonderful! How can a mama ever ignore a request for a knitted object. And even though it is twice as much as the coat she won't ever ougrow the scarf :)!

Tracy said...

aaawww...that last photos says it all--happy smile, happy coat, happy scarf! :o) $8--that is a fantastic bargain for a winter coat. Your rainbow scarf is wonderful, Lisa...can't help but smile wearing that one! Such a sweet-melt-in-the-heart-goodness post...thank you! Happy Weekend to you all ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

The scarf is beautiful, unfortunately my budget wouldn't allow for such a yarn purchase, I love beautiful fibres and fabrics, I look and then go purchase the lesser expensive items, from giant chain stores - maybe someday!

Stephanie said...

That scarf is very cool! It looks so great with her new coat.

Mama Sewing said...

I just love it! What a perfect scarf, and you are right that it willll go with every coat from now on. Your logic about the amount spent on the yarn sits right with me. ;)

Ruth said...

Love that scarf and great deal on the coat.

Ruth

Debi said...

I LOVE it... the coat and the scarf! What a special girl who appreciates thriftiness and homemade with love.

knittinbrit_in_wi said...

I'm always amazed by how I managed to have four kids with such different tastes.

What a nice mummy you are making her the scarf. It works perfectly with the coat.

Great job!

larissa said...

L, the scarf is gorgeous! and it adorns M's coat perfectly - like a beautiful piece of jewelry over a simple outfit. Sounds like money well spent because M may just be willing to let you borrow it - if only for a little while! you are the best mom - and her smile says it all!

From All Stitched Up said...

I say never worry too much about the cost of yarn because not only do you get a product (scarf) but you have many hours of entertainment, relaxtion and enjoyment. All of which is more valuable than wat you spent.

Adrie said...

Love this. We scored on a used winter coat (down filled!) this week also - hooray!

cathleen said...

I LOVE this scarf, Lisa. The yarn is really, really pretty!

Janean said...

what a sweetheart daughter! the scarf is wonderful -- very modern!

Jessica said...

Beautiful scarf! I'm knitting a bunch right now--they are so relaxing!

amanda said...

Don't you just love that they still ask us to knit for them!

She looks lovely in her new coat/scarf combo!

Journeying Five said...

what a great post and an amazing insight into your two girls. they are lucky to have a special mom that realizes and appreciates their differences too.

HIp MOuntain Mama said...

That's a pretty cool tangerine coat! And I don't think you can go wrong with rainbows and little girls (at least with mine). You are right, rainbow scarves will go with anything, so well worth the $15.00!
Have a great weekend
Suzy

kirschkernzeit said...

Oh, that scarf is amazing! Good job!
bora

kirsten said...

that scarf is beautiful! love the stripes!