Some of you may remember this sweater from a few years back. Yep . . . it’s the Big Brown Blob, the fishing sweater I knit for Tom. With love.
Now Tom . . . is the most knit-worthy of knitting recipients. He LOVES this sweater. And, best of all, he wears the sh*t out of it! For three fishing seasons now (we’re talking late April through the end of October), Tom has worn this sweater out on the river for his morning fishing sessions. (Even in the summer, because many mornings are cold on the river up north before the sun comes up.) When he gets warmed up, he pulls it off . . . and wads it up and stuffs it into the back of his fishing vest. Where it lives for the season.
During the winter months, I get the wadded-up sweater back. Smelly. Wrinkled. And in bad need of repair. Like I said, he wears the sh*t out of it. And, besides, I made the mistake of knitting it with lovely-but-weak Brooklyn Tweed Shelter yarn . . . which is lovely, light, and comfortable, but just not really strong enough to hold up to heavy wear in unforgiving conditions.
This weekend, I decided it was . . . Big Brown Blob Rejuvenation Day, which entails a thorough assessment of seasonal damages, necessary repairs, and a nice, long bath. I gathered my tools and got started!
This year, most of the “seasonal damage” was limited to the edges. The neckline, several points along the bottom edging, and both cuffs needed repairs and a general “shoring up.” Most of my fixes are of the “git-r-dun” variety; nothing like the charming “visible mending” samples you see on Instagram. I just want the sweater to hold up well. And Tom is unconcerned with the aesthetics.
Next, bath time! Ewww. Check out the “river water” and fishing vest grime left behind in my sink. Worn with love, I tell ya . . . but worn hard!
There you can see the nicely patched up and freshly washed sweater . . . all folded and ready to . . . well. Ready to be stuffed into the back of Tom’s fishing vest for another season on the river!
Tom loves the sweater so much that I’m going to make him . . . another one. He insists he doesn’t need another, but I don’t trust that Shelter yarn to hold up for very much longer.
This time, I’m going for a sweater knit in pieces and then seamed. (The seams will give it much needed structure.) And I’m using a tougher, stronger yarn that should hold up for years and years of wear. (Maybe it will even need fewer off-season repairs?) (The color is North Sea, if you’re interested. It’s lovely after blocking.)
I’m not going to be in any hurry, though. Tom is perfectly happy with his existing fishing sweater. And like I said, it’s ready to go for another season. I did get a start on the new sweater by knitting a gauge swatch over the weekend.
So . . . All systems are GO!
But I plan to take my time.
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How about you?
What are you working on these days?
I knit a sweater with Jamieson’s yarn… not the aran, but it is still the hardest wearing sweater in my closet! Few pills, no wear, and with a once a season spa treatment, it looks like the day I cast it off! I think this is a most excellent choice for a new Fishing Sweater! (And let’s hear it for slow knitting… it is just THE BEST!)
Tom is a lucky guy! And kudos to you for taking the time to fix that sweater and keep it going for him. I am knitting socks, they are perfect for meetings and I’ve been going to a LOT of meetings lately.
There is nothing more satisfying that making something for someone you love that really appreciates your gift! I think Tom loves that sweater because you made it, and it will be hard for him to give it up even when you make a new one. (My husband was like that about his fishing clothes, “it’s fine, it’s fine”! ) But I have to say that I love that new yarn, and I was thinking Jamieson’s before I checked the link, and there it was! Tom is a very lucky man, and you are a very lucky woman to be so appreciated. I am continuing to do projects in my house. It’s exhausting, but therapeutic.
Sorry that Shelter doesn’t hold up that well…that’s a shame as I know BT’s yarn is not cheap. BUT, I love the new yarn you are using to knit another sweater for Tom (and I really like the pattern you have chosen too). Enjoy your slow, therapeutic knitting!
I love Jamieson’s yarn ❤️. I have some of the DK for a hat and will be starting a vest with the Spindrift soon. Enjoy
Knitworthy Tom…another instance that shows you two were made for each other. I was in a yarn store once which had a sample Weekender made with Shelter that was knit so tightly it looked and felt like armor. Guess looks can be deceiving. Thanks for the Jamieson’s info! And if I’m not mistaken it’s probably cheaper:).
I get you! I just revived a wool hat that I knit for Rusty a few years ago — he wears it a lot, so it was a pleasure. Tom’s new sweater is going to be great!! Great yarn & color (I love a saddle shoulder)!
The BBB has a certain charm, and it is certainly serving its purpose well, but I really love the new Jamieson’s yarn. There are several of those heathered colors that I lust after. John is going to Alaska to fish but he would never wear a sweater, especially to fish. Maybe I should just knit one for myself!
The sign of a well-loved knit is needed repairs! I’m glad to see that those repairs weren’t too difficult, and I also approve of the plan for the new one. Tom may not see the need for it, but I think he’ll be pretty happy when he has some variety in his fishing sweaters!
This is a wonderful story.
So … a Big Blue Blob???
oops, the internet ate my comment! the BBB still looks great … and I think it’s blue brother is going to be much beloved, too!
A true sweate4r of love!
Stuffed in the fishing vest – so awesome. So rugged. But I get it with Shelter. I’m finishing the body on a cardi I am not enjoying knitting and have completed gauge swatch myself for a Giddy Up. (Mary knit a sample…)
Isn’t it wonderful for a sweater to be loved and worn almost to death? I have to smile at the “wadded up in the fishing vest.” It sounds as if you’ve chosen a great yarn for the next version. The color is very beautiful.