Monday, October 1, 2007

All Hail the Fishgan!!!


My Knitting Posse at Work
Originally uploaded by mikewade
Howdy Everyone, here's a quick post to show you all some of fiberly goodness I (along with some colleagues) have been working on. I present to you the FABULOUS FISH AFGHAN aka Fishgan.

I work for a wonderful technology outfit in Emeryville, CA. We make software for libraries to use their resources more efficiently. And, as luck would have it, we have quite a few folks obsessed with fiber in the company. All the major groups are represented: Spinners, Knitters, Crocheters and Beaders. We even have folks that do book binding, soapmaking and shrinky-dinking (is that a verb?). Pretty crafty group, eh?

When we learned that a colleague was expecting we decided to do a group knitting project that had proven successful in the past. It's a modular pattern that is mostly garter stitch with some shaping and even a bobble. Whoo Hooo! I have to admit at first I wasn't feeling the love for this endeavor, but after we chose the yarn, delicious Blue Sky Alpaca organic cotton, I was sold. I even grew to like the dreaded bobble. What I was most thankful for, though, was not having to piece it all together. That momentous task was left to Kris (2nd from the left in the front).

We proudly presented the lovely Fishgan to mother-to-be Brenda this past Thursday. and I think she was quite pleased.

Project Details:
Pattern: Fabulous Fish Blanket (Knitter's Magazine, Summer 1998)
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca cotton (two hanks of 4 different colors)
Needles: US 7 - 9 (different knitters required different sizes for gauge)
Finished size: 44 inches wide by 28 inches high.
Mods: We crocheted a border around each fish and then did another border around the whole thing. Or rather, Kris did. :-)

9 comments:

Eikon said...

I love modular patterns and this one is more fun than most. I'd be tempted to alternate striped and solid fish but that might be too busy for a baby blanket.

Mel said...

That is one spectacular baby blanket! Y'all done good, especially Kris.

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Ok, Shrinky-Dinkers have an identity as crafters? That is so awesome...LOVE your blankie, how fun that it was a group project!!

Anonymous said...

What a great blanket! You all (or y'all) did a great job. I am sure your co-worker was thrilled, both by the blanket and the thoughts that went into it.

Anonymous said...

whoa! you're all different looking over here! That blanket .... me likey!

Octopus Knits said...

What a great idea for a joint gift - Very cool!

Anonymous said...

I've loved seeing your pictures of this blanket along the way, and I have to say it turned out totally awesome!

I bought the book that this is in after I saw your fishies on Flickr, so hopefully someday I'll time to make a fishgan too :)

WonderMike said...

Thank you everyone for visiting and your kind comments!

Sonya said...

A fishgan - what a wonderful creation. Something to do with all those goldfish crackers that will soon be in her future. A true collaborative masterpiece!