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Mon afghan

Captain's Log, Stardate 02.24.2009

I am extraordinarily proud of this. For Christmas, I wanted to knit something for my parents that would be really cool and personal, and sort of an heirloom. So I took the five family crests I had for my family (in Japanese, a family crest is called a “mon”) and graphed the designs on knitting graph paper so that I could knit intarsia panels of the mons.

I knit 5 intarsia panels and 4 plain panels and then sewed them together to make an afghan.








In Japan, family crests are carried by both male and female, so I used mons from both my parents' sides. Traditionally, mons are passed down from mother to daughter and from father to son, but there are sometimes cases of a son taking a mother’s mon or a husband taking his wife’s family’s mon and things like that.

I know we have more than 5 family crests, but we’ve lost some of them. My mom tried to find them all several years ago, but could only find these five. The fans mon was actually found on an extended family member’s gravestone somewhere. Neat, huh?

Anyway, Mom and Dad were very pleased to receive this, although it ended up being a reeeeeeeally late Christmas present. Originally, I’d thought to do a purl-knit stitch pattern, but I changed to intarsia (more difficult, but more easy to see the mon) and while I tried to get it done by Christmas, there was just no way.

I’m really happy with how it turned out. I hadn’t done intarsia on a completed project before—I’d only done practice swatches. And I’d certainly never graphed my own pattern. It ended up not being as bad as I expected. A more advanced knitter can see my mistakes if they get up close, but in general, I think the afghan looks pretty good.

If you’re on Ravelry, click here for the project info.
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Comments

  1. Sherrinda KetchersidTue Feb 24, 07:04:00 AM 2009

    Wow! That is truly impressive. I love the white on black and can't imagine how complicated it was to get those designs into the piece. And when do you have time to knit AND write? Kudos to YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AngieTue Feb 24, 09:23:00 AM 2009

    Wow...you did a great job! I didn't know about the mons, very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NeedANap2Tue Feb 24, 09:44:00 AM 2009

    It looks wonderful! I can't imagine how you knitted all of that. I'm sure your parents loved it even if it was a little late. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Camy TangTue Feb 24, 03:42:00 PM 2009

    Thanks, guys! My parents were so happy to get it that they called me to tell me it had arrived and how pleased they were.
    Camy

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousTue Feb 24, 09:11:00 PM 2009

    Dad & I really love it! Haven't shown Grandma Sue but I'm sure she'll be very impressed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Danica FavoriteTue Feb 24, 09:50:00 PM 2009

    Wow! This is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Grateful GrammaTue Feb 24, 09:56:00 PM 2009

    You continue to amaze me with your knitting ability. This is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Camy TangTue Feb 24, 10:33:00 PM 2009

    Hey everybody, my mom commented! Everybody say hi!
    Camy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sherrinda KetchersidWed Feb 25, 03:39:00 AM 2009

    Hi Camy's mom! You have a very talented daughter and I know you must be so proud. Did she get those creative genes from you?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Crystal LaineWed Feb 25, 12:01:00 PM 2009

    Hi, Camy's mom! As you can see, we love Camy and she is incredibly talented and kind.

    Camy, this is so wonderful, I can't even tell you how impressed I am with this. It's so meaningful and beautiful, artistic. It is inspiring to me.

    It has me thinking about my own family and things like this.

    Thank you for sharing that.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousWed Feb 25, 08:21:00 PM 2009

    To Sherridan & Crystal: Thank you for supporting Camy. And, no, Camy definitely did not get that creative talent from me. I am more the paint-by-numbers type. Camy's dad's sister is very artistic and creative with her hands.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AlyceFri Feb 27, 12:12:00 PM 2009

    This is amazing, and I love the family history behind it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Susan J. ReinhardtFri Feb 27, 04:32:00 PM 2009

    You are one talented lady! This is a piece of art.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSun Mar 01, 08:53:00 PM 2009

    That is so incredible I can't find words. You are so talented! Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Book Club Network - TBCNMon Mar 02, 03:29:00 AM 2009

    Camy; WOW!! Beautiful. I can't believe it didn't take you years, and years to complete this project in the middle of all the writing you are doing. It's AMAZING!! I bet your parents were THRILLED to receive such a special, thoughtful, gift. I know I would. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Blessings to you!!

    Nora :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. katylinvwMon Mar 02, 06:31:00 AM 2009

    absolutely gorgeous! i am in awe of your knitting abilities! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pat CochranMon Mar 02, 10:00:00 AM 2009

    I am so in awe of folks who can knit
    such marvelous works of art! Your
    parents just have to so pleased and
    proud of this gift and your talents!

    Pat Cochran

    ReplyDelete
  18. KathieMon Mar 02, 12:04:00 PM 2009

    It is beautiful,Camy. I know your parents must really love it.
    Blessings from Costa Rica,
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Dynamic UnoMon Mar 02, 01:54:00 PM 2009

    How awesome! You are very talented--both as an author and knitter.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMon Mar 02, 03:33:00 PM 2009

    Really impressive. It looks really nice.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousSat Mar 07, 08:35:00 AM 2009

    What a huge undertaking, and the results are beautiful! I'm sure that will become an heirloom piece. :)

    ReplyDelete

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