I am not the only knitter in my family. I know that seems incredible, considering how much of the knitter mojo landed on me, you would think it unlikely that there would be two of us in a family, and indeed...one had to marry in.
Here's my brother Ian and his lovely bride Alison, enthusiastically modeling their presents from Alison's mother, Genevieve. (Hi Gen!) Check it out my friends, what you have here are absolutely classic Canadian works of art, fresh off the knitters needles and born straight out of that infamous purveyor of all Canadian craftiness, Mary Maxim.
The astute among you will note that Ian's sweater sports the logo for the Toronto Maple Leafs, his team of choice. (The astute will also notice that he's also gripping a bottle of Canadian. It was a moment of national pride.) Perhaps you are thinking that this is a pretty good fan sweater. (If you are also thinking that my brother will likely wear this sweater every single day of his life until he dies and then asks to be buried in in you would also be right, but I digress.) If you were thinking that this was a good fan sweater, or even an excellent fan sweater, you would be a wrong.
This is the best fan sweater of all time. Why? What has Gen done to propel this sweater above all the other Hockey Logo sweaters knit in all of Canada? (I assure you that it is competing in a broad field. Hockey logo sweaters of all types enjoy a position of esteem that really isn't proportionately related to the population of this country. I can't explain it. Ask around, it'll freak you out. ) Gen the Genius has done this.
Dude. Logos in armpits for cheering. I tell you. Ian is never taking this off.
Posted by Stephanie at December 27, 2005 1:34 PMThat's the most awesome sweater I've ever seen!
Posted by: Mary in Boston at December 27, 2005 1:36 PMVery cool. I never would have thought of that, but... Lovely knitted gifts all around.
Posted by: Stephanie at December 27, 2005 1:43 PMBEYOND the call of duty. Even for a Canadian. And you can see the joy in Ian's eyes in photo 2!!
Posted by: KT at December 27, 2005 1:50 PMGen is the Queen of Mary Maxim. I inherited a number of patterns for Mary Maxim sweaters from my Nanny when she died. Long live the picture sweater!
Posted by: Annette at December 27, 2005 2:08 PMBrilliant!
Posted by: Dawn at December 27, 2005 2:09 PMThe logos in the armpits = very innovative.
Posted by: Strikkelise at December 27, 2005 2:10 PM...shot...save......shot...ssSSS-SCORE!
Wow, I can hear the Canadian anthem from here.
Posted by: S.Kate at December 27, 2005 2:15 PMWelcome back dear Harlot!
I absolutely love Ian's sweater! I was educated in St. Louis (Home of the Blues!) and so have an appreciation for the most rabid of all fans, Canadian Hocky Fanatics! But, since I have a daughter at UT Austin and we are playing for #1 in college football on New Year's Day....How fast can I knit this with a Longhorn Logo, and won't the horns kinda stick her in the armpits?:)
Happy New Year!
OMG, that sweater is great!
Posted by: Mindy at December 27, 2005 2:17 PMNothing says lovin' like pit logos!
:)
Bluddy brrrrilliant! Alison's sweater is lovely also. (Could we get a close-up of that diamond pattern?) Such a talented family you have.
Posted by: Lucia at December 27, 2005 2:21 PMFABULOUS fan sweater, there. I love it.
Posted by: Saartje at December 27, 2005 2:24 PMI'm ashamed that none of us have ever thought of that! Totally cool!
Posted by: Carole at December 27, 2005 2:29 PMGreat sweater! Even if i'm a canucks fan rather than a Toronto fan. You know that sweater would be just as great in Red and White for July 1st!!! Go CANADA!
PS: although no attention was brought to it, Alison's sweater is lovely too!
Coolest. Sweater. EVER. That's knitterly love.
(The change in Ian's expression from one picture to the next is great, too.)
Posted by: Imbrium at December 27, 2005 2:36 PMYou Canadians never cease to amaze me.
Wow.
Armpit logos.
Genius.
Posted by: Teresa at December 27, 2005 2:40 PMGOOOOOAAAAAAAL!
(hee hee hee)
Great sweater! I like Ali's, too.
Posted by: clarelight at December 27, 2005 2:52 PM...
*insert silence at unfathomable brilliance here*
That is one of the coolest ideas ever. I see an (American) football sweater looming in my future.
Wow, she sets the bar pretty high there. :) Very fun. Gonna make your brother some matching socks to go with that sweater? 'Cos everyone loves intarsia... ;)
Posted by: Chris at December 27, 2005 3:21 PMBest Sweater Ever. If you're a crazy arsed Leafs fan, that is.
Posted by: sarai at December 27, 2005 3:32 PMHockey is that thing with the ding dong on ice, right? *flees*
Rockin' sweater. I sincerely hope there's a full season of hockey during which he can enjoy the sweater, maple leaves in armpits and all!
Posted by: perclexed at December 27, 2005 3:58 PMExcellent. Logos in the armpits - just excellent! Way to go, Gen!
lololololololol
Posted by: Robbi at December 27, 2005 4:06 PMExcellent fan sweater! And Ian? So much cuter with hair.
However, this much knitterly power in one family is bordering on an abomination of nature and potentially dangerous. In order to maintain the balance of the universe, one of you must jump ship and come and knit something for Me immediately.
Posted by: Rachel H at December 27, 2005 4:14 PMthat is definitely an awesome sweater!
and guess what? the vest fit!!!
i did the happy dance when my grandma left
i was so happy!
and she loves it
so yay!!!
That is BRILLIANT! *lol*
Posted by: Manda at December 27, 2005 4:24 PMI hope that you had a very Happy Christmas, my dear Stephanie and all of my fellow knitters also.
Posted by: Tresstiford at December 27, 2005 4:25 PMWith Hank (right?) at the bottom, doing "I love you" in sign language...
Posted by: AlisonH at December 27, 2005 4:31 PMlaughing till beer comes out my nose! your family shares a sense of humor too, ay?
Posted by: marie in texas at December 27, 2005 4:37 PMI am truly impressed. Here I am, struggling with circlarly-knit two-handed fairisle, which I'm supposed to cut in the middle, eventually. (I'm sure I will die of fear, when the time comes to cut the dreaded thing, which cost me a fortune in yarn). Also in progress is another circularly knit object which I am determined to accomplish without an actual pattern. I am following Elizabeth Zimmerman's formula of percentages. That one will have to be cut in the middle as well. God help me, I don't even own a sewing machine, so when the so-called tubes are done, I will search out a friend who can make the steek seams for me.
I love both of Gen's creations, but I must control myself. Already, I'm thinking of doing something with intarsia. Maybe I'll just satisfy myself with swatching something. Keep it up, Steph. You really brighten my day. Congratulations, Gen, they're spectacular.
Posted by: Connie C. at December 27, 2005 4:39 PMnow that they are letting knitting needles back in the stadium maybe I need a team with a better logo (and that doesn't keep changing it) and maybe a better record while you're asking for things. Love the fan sweater
Posted by: Jasmine at December 27, 2005 4:52 PMGO LEAFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Wyndfire at December 27, 2005 4:59 PMAh! The armpits of your people!
Posted by: Marcy, Blogless at December 27, 2005 5:20 PMThat rocks! And I thought it was cool that I made two Cleveland Browns hats this Christmas, one with "There's always next year, Cleveland!" on the orange band. *sigh* I am not worthy.
I'm thinking of how to take that idea, though . . . It would work for the Red Wings, I think, if I could get a decent chart . . . ;)
Posted by: Carina at December 27, 2005 5:22 PMOh My God, my husband and daughter would freaking love that sweater, especially the logos in the pits. Got to find that pattern.
Posted by: lisa at December 27, 2005 5:22 PM"If you're a crazy arsed Leafs fan,"
Is there any other kind? No really ;) GO LEAFS! Hrmmm...that would be pretty cool for Team Canada too. It's a shame I dont knit that fast, or I would so be making one up for the Olympics.
Posted by: Kelly at December 27, 2005 5:32 PMLove 'em! Ali's sweater is beautiful and cozy, and Ian's just ROCKS!
Posted by: Julie at December 27, 2005 5:40 PMOh, that is absolutely too awesome!
Posted by: ana at December 27, 2005 6:35 PMLogos in armpits! I love it!
Posted by: Kelly at December 27, 2005 6:49 PMA) Any sweater worn by an Ian is a good thing. (YS's name)
B) Any woman smart enough to think of cheering appropriate logos deserves a medal.
C)Would it be cruel to adapt this idea to do logos in fuzzy yarns? :)
Posted by: Celtic Queen at December 27, 2005 6:51 PMThat is truly the best fan sweater ever.
Posted by: Kathy at December 27, 2005 7:27 PMGreat sweater. If the Leafs ever win the Cup I'll make one.
Go Leafs Go!
Posted by: Steph at December 27, 2005 7:43 PMI love Allison's scarf -- it looks like a rayon chenille yarn I've used which is just gorgeous and silky. Plymouth makes a verson called "Sinsation", but there's another vendor that makes it as well. Anyway, what's cool about it is the core of the yarn is wool, so you can felt it. And after felting, it has the most incredible texture.
Way cool sweater, too. :-)
Posted by: Mary at December 27, 2005 7:58 PMThat is way too cool. I think we need Gen to start knitting us Floridians some FSU fan sweaters! She rocks!
Posted by: Kris at December 27, 2005 8:15 PMLogos in the armpits! That's pure genius!
I'm not a Maple Leafs fan, but that is actually a very pretty blue/white design. (I am not really a fan of black and orange, and yet so many cities I've lived in have that color scheme for a perennial Halloween theme.)
Posted by: mapgirl at December 27, 2005 8:20 PMA clutch of well-made garments, deserving of knitterly pride. I'm trying to think of where I saw something like the hat recently - is that a "Jayne" hat?
(My cardie from 2002 has UAB knitted at the armholes. For "ugh argh bleurgh". Just thought I'd mention it.)
=Tamar
Gen IS a genius! The sweaters are wonderful!!
Posted by: Alyson at December 27, 2005 11:05 PMoh my god, that is genius. I want a sweater like that.
Posted by: sue at December 27, 2005 11:05 PMSooooooooooo awesome... If I can design a logo with the Sacramento Kings on it to go in the armpits, my husband might start knitting himself... (And at this point anything will help the Kings--even B.O. would be an improvement...) Excellent sweaters, oh relative of the Harlot...must be kismet to bring you both into proximity...excellent kismet.
Posted by: Shannon McClellan at December 28, 2005 12:55 AMThat sweater is absolutely fantastic! And, your commentary is, as always, so wonderful. I love reading your posts. :-)
Posted by: Kim Guzman at December 28, 2005 12:57 AMBrilliant!
I'm seeing the next fan craze: The 'Pits. 'Pits Across Canada. 'Pits Across America. True fans show it in their 'Pits. There will be gratuitous 'Pit waves at every game.
And you know, it won't be long before it filters into rock concerts...
And then classical concerts, with favorite composers and performers intarsia-ed onto elbows/forearms...
And it all started here. :)
Posted by: Monica at December 28, 2005 2:16 AMArmpit logos--it's the next fad in fan wear!!!
Posted by: Denise at December 28, 2005 7:13 AMvery excellent sweater and what a looker your brother is!
Posted by: Debbie at December 28, 2005 7:27 AMI so dig the pit logos!! She's a genius! Thank you.
Posted by: zib at December 28, 2005 8:35 AMbrilliant!
Posted by: Stephanie at December 28, 2005 8:42 AMLove the sweaters. I got the blue one ... as a kit ... for Christmas and I have taken time out from next year's Christmas knitting! to start knitting this sweater. I am almost done the left front and loving the colour and design. I also got both of your books and am enjoying both ... alternating reading from each. Didn't know which one to start reading first so decided to read both at the same time! And in the New Year I plan to go back and read your blogs right from the beginning. You have a way with words that is wonderful. Have a Happy New Year ... by the way, did you get all your Christmas knitting done or did some people get peculiar stick things attached to wooly bits in their parcels!
What a great idea! I have to check Mary Maxims and see if they have a Red Wings pattern.. in several sizes (my husband, daughter, and youngest son are huge hockey fans.)
I can remember laying on the couch with my grandmother, at age 3 or 4, watching the Leafs play hockey on the only channel we could get on TV in the Soo (Michigan).
The year she died, the Wings won the Stanley Cup. I like to think she helped them along :)
Posted by: Mary Peed at December 28, 2005 9:06 AMKris, blogbuddy, I like the iea for an FSU fan sweater, except that it needs to be a UF fan sweater (gators under the pits, ya know).
Harlot, all I can say is, this woman truly loves this man. What a great present!!
Posted by: Knitzilla at December 28, 2005 9:37 AMBoooooo Leafs! Great sweaters though. :)
[I have been toying with making some hockey sweaters... DH already has a Canucks one. In the US, this is unheard of. :) ]
Posted by: jess at December 28, 2005 9:57 AMhubba.... hubba....
The sweaters reminds me of one of the entries in your "Meditations--" book...the one about the bride knitting her betrothed a sweater and putting his initials in the armpit..like engraving on the inside of the wedding band....Coincidentally, that was the one I turned to yesterday morning before I read your post...it's a woo-woo thing.......
Beautiful hockey sweater. The only gear I knit for husbeast is hockey related so I understand about the hockey sweater. Of course I haven't knit one with logos in the armpits for cheering. Pure genius.
Posted by: Amy Boogie at December 28, 2005 11:29 AMI believe that Hank is doing the international hand gesture of Spiderman ;) I have a 4-year-old son, and I can recognize fellow web slingers anywhere.
Posted by: Kristina at December 28, 2005 11:59 AMBeing a Senators fan, I won't hold the logo against Gen, or Ian for his misguided choice of teams. Work(wo)manship, creativity, and the love that goes into every stitch are what counts in knitting. Although I believe a Senators logo would look much sharper on that sweater... ;-)
Posted by: Barbara from Nova Scotia at December 28, 2005 12:08 PMCan't show my husband this...he will want one too. That's definitely a FAN sweater. Love it! :)
Posted by: Lavender at December 28, 2005 12:39 PMBrilliant!!!
Posted by: Shelly at December 28, 2005 5:58 PMBest. Sweater. Ever.
But I am a Sabres fan... so don't tell anyone I said that. ;)
Posted by: Jessica at December 28, 2005 7:22 PMwhat a woman!
Posted by: minnie at December 28, 2005 10:39 PMThat sweater rocks. Gen rocks. Armpit logos are truly top-shelf fanwear.
Posted by: Carrie at December 28, 2005 11:44 PMHILARIOUS armpit logos! HA HA HA HA HA HHAA! The scarf is loverly, too =)
Posted by: April at December 29, 2005 12:10 AMAmazing! Love the logos in the armpits!
Posted by: Sally at December 29, 2005 12:55 AMThis is truly awesome! I would love to knit one like it, but with the Habs' logo. My older son, who is a Habs fanatic would love one, although he has never in the past shown any interest in hand-knit sweaters. We are Montreal ex-pats, living in Sydney, Australia, but he remains a hockey devotee. I looked through the MM website, but couldn't find a pattern for any hockey logo. Could you possibly (!) point me in the right direction?
Posted by: Joanne at December 29, 2005 1:49 AMI haven't laughed so hard since the goat yarn thing. F*&%*) AWESOME! You tell her I said she ROCKS. :) (if she's ok with the admiration of strangers)
Posted by: Tina at December 29, 2005 9:23 AMA design that truly understands the needs and actions of the user. Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, and that guy who designed the Honeywell thermostat would all be much impressed. (Oh - and I am, too.)
Posted by: Franklin at December 29, 2005 9:54 AMOMG! The armpit thing is hilarious! I so need one of those for my son!
Posted by: Sue at December 29, 2005 10:10 AMLove the hockey sweater, logos and the surprise armpit flash! But what about the periwinkle cardi/sweater that Alison is wearing? Did Gen knit that too? Looks very roomy, warm and beautiful.
Posted by: Manise at December 29, 2005 4:40 PMWhat a shame that as a Leafs fan he won't get to raise his arms that often. Great idea for fans of other teams.
Posted by: Betty at December 29, 2005 4:49 PMarmpit logos work for me! :)
Posted by: ann at December 29, 2005 11:18 PMThat is freakin' brilliant. I wish Gen lived in the US, right near me. Canada is lucky to have her. So is Ian.
Posted by: Shelagh at December 29, 2005 11:56 PMSeems you had quite the warm wooly Christmas in the Harlot household. Gen is a genius. It's so incredibly clever. She saw the possibilities in armpits of a sweater. Next we'll be knitting sentiments on the soles of socks for those times when you need to put your feet up but still make your feelings known. Or the underside of a collar; keep your neck warm and let the guy behind you know what you think. She's opened the floodgates.
Alison's sweater looks warm and comfy and nice and long too. And little dude, Hank, he is almost too cute for words. Is that a Gen created hat he's wearing or is that your handiwork?
Posted by: Ellen-Mary at December 30, 2005 9:26 AMI love the way they just *know* to show off the knitting. Those pit logos are genius, indeed.
Posted by: ann rose at December 31, 2005 10:17 AMFave sports team + intarsia + armpits = love!
Posted by: MJ at January 1, 2006 2:28 AMBut, how can it be the best of all hockey logo sweaters if it's a .... Leafs sweater?
GO Sens GO!!!
Posted by: Kate at January 2, 2006 2:32 PMpure. genius.
Posted by: erin at January 3, 2006 2:14 AMStrange moment....I was just scrolling through your blog (which I love) and I recognised Alison. I believe I worked with Alison at Cotton Ginny in Oakville Place when I was in high school. It is a very small world.
Tell her Jill Thorp says HI!
Happy holidays.
Awesome!!! Shoot and Score!
Hi
I got your name from Alison, Please email when you will be doing a show in Toronto.
Hi
I got your name from Alison, Please email when you will be doing a show in Toronto.
I now need to decide on my own personal logo for my armpits. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Chuck (Fiberdork) at January 7, 2006 10:56 PMHello,
Love the sweater! My son is a Toronto fan! Do you know where I can get a Montreal Canadian knitted pattern for a men's sweater, for my husband.
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah at March 2, 2006 7:44 AM