Here we are: Dad and all his kids, all seven of us together for the first time in years, gathered together from all over the country.
Many of my fathers grandchildren are grown, but one of my sisters was able to gather all her children (5) and all her grandchildren (3 babes) together for the occasion.
Everyone was able to stay with relatives (3 of us are in the SLC area) and the sister just younger than me, stayed in my home. Her children are grown and she came alone, which gave us more time together. Her goal was to learn to knit and while she knew how to knit and purl she hadn't taken the next step.
The first thing we did was make a trip to an LYS where she was impressed with the quality, variety and service (and perhaps a bit overwhelmed by possibilities). She also fell hard for my newly spun handspun "Air" and there was nothing to do but hand it over. Happily, before the weekend was over, she had started two projects. Having a command of the basics (knit, purl and cast on) she quickly caught on and, within a short period of time, had a good understanding of both patterns. It looks like she's a natural.
The top scarf is knit with handspun "Air" in the Japanese Waves pattern. The red scarf is Cascade 220 Heathers and the pattern is Palindrome.
Have been out of the blogworld recently with family and life (but you know how that goes).
How much fun, getting your sister hooked on knitting, and how clever of her to fall for your newly spun yarn. Obviously she has a great eye for fine yarn already. I see many happy knitting years ahead of her.
Posted by: Kim D. | July 15, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Looks like you had a wonderful time with your family. You look a lot like your dad. Congratulations to your sister for learning so quickly to cable and knit lace! Wow! My first project(35 years ago!) was a simple cardigan in stocking stitch! Alida South Africa
Posted by: Alida South Africa | July 15, 2009 at 03:30 AM
plenty of pretty people !
Posted by: marie in florida | July 15, 2009 at 04:03 AM
What beautiful pictures of your family!
How could your sister not fall for your handspun?
Posted by: Julie | July 15, 2009 at 04:46 AM
What a beautiful family, and how fun to knit with your sister. When is she starting her blog?
Posted by: Nora | July 15, 2009 at 04:46 AM
What an awesome family gathering! And of course she's a natural but don't forget she had a great teacher too.
Posted by: Julie | July 15, 2009 at 04:48 AM
How wonderful to all be together! (it was, wasn't it!?)
Posted by: Issy | July 15, 2009 at 04:55 AM
Boy, I'LL SAY she's a natural!! Holy smokes -- impressive!
It must have been so great to get everybody together.
Posted by: Norma | July 15, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Cables and lace?!?
She must be some sort of overachiever. I've been teaching a couple of friends to knit for a few months and they light years away from cables and lace still.
Posted by: viki | July 15, 2009 at 05:32 AM
How nice for your dad that you were all able to get together!
I am so impressed with your sister's knitting. Are you sure she's a beginner? Very nice!
Posted by: Kim | July 15, 2009 at 05:51 AM
What a wonderful picture of your Dad and siblings. So nice and thank you for sharing. And, your sister's children and their children? How lovely. And, honestly, those are NOT her beginning knitter projects? They look better than mine;-P
Posted by: cindycindy | July 15, 2009 at 06:01 AM
Love the pictures...your sister is lucky to have such a great teacher! How do I know this ;) You all look great!
Posted by: Suzy | July 15, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Interesting choices. I'm knitting a Japanese Waves scarf with the Brooklyn Handspun you sent (blog prize) and finding it a delightful diversion.
Looks like your sister had a great teacher.
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | July 15, 2009 at 06:14 AM
Wonderful pictures of your family! Wow lace and cables starting out? Beautiful. Watch out your sister will be spinning next!
Posted by: Manise | July 15, 2009 at 06:15 AM
That's a great photo of all of you with your dad! Looks like your sister will be catching up to you in no time at all.
Posted by: Carole | July 15, 2009 at 06:25 AM
I believe we now understand why you're so tall! You're only in the middle of the curve in that group of long, lean people.
Posted by: Elizabeth D | July 15, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Another convert to the world of knitting! Woot!
(Wow - your family got the tall genes, didn't they?)
Posted by: Anne | July 15, 2009 at 06:38 AM
You two look like you're having a great time. :)
Posted by: Chris | July 15, 2009 at 06:52 AM
Wow- VERY impressive first projects-
Posted by: Carla | July 15, 2009 at 06:56 AM
You have a beautiful family. And I'm impressed with your sister's first projects--no beginner's garter stitch scarf for her.
Posted by: Wool Winder | July 15, 2009 at 07:03 AM
I guess I didn't realize there were so MANY of you! I see some definite familial resemblances, especially with two of your sisters. It does not surprise me one bit that you got one knitting: what surprises me is that you ONLY got one knitting!
Posted by: Marcia | July 15, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Hmmm, no family resemblance there, no sirree! Besides the obvious unfair share of height you all seem to have acquired, there's a row of really beautiful smiles that could be almost interchangeable. Glad you had so much fun, and got to corrupt a Muggle.
Posted by: Robby | July 15, 2009 at 07:10 AM
Lovely family pictures! I'm very impressed with your sister's beginning projects. She must have an excellent teacher!
Posted by: Nancy | July 15, 2009 at 07:16 AM
OMG, knitting is genetic!
Posted by: Carrie | July 15, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Palindrome is her first project?!! Good for her!
Posted by: susan | July 15, 2009 at 08:05 AM