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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.

Comments

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!
Angie said…
Wow...you did a great job! I didn't know about the mons, very interesting.
NeedANap2 said…
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. :)
Camy Tang said…
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
Anonymous said…
Dad & I really love it! Haven't shown Grandma Sue but I'm sure she'll be very impressed.
Grateful Gramma said…
You continue to amaze me with your knitting ability. This is beautiful!!
Camy Tang said…
Hey everybody, my mom commented! Everybody say hi!
Camy
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?
Crystal Laine said…
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.
Anonymous said…
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.
Alyce said…
This is amazing, and I love the family history behind it!
You are one talented lady! This is a piece of art.

Blessings,
Susan :)
Anonymous said…
That is so incredible I can't find words. You are so talented! Wow.
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
katylinvw said…
absolutely gorgeous! i am in awe of your knitting abilities! :)
Pat Cochran said…
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
Kathie said…
It is beautiful,Camy. I know your parents must really love it.
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Kathie
The Dynamic Uno said…
How awesome! You are very talented--both as an author and knitter.
Anonymous said…
Really impressive. It looks really nice.
Anonymous said…
What a huge undertaking, and the results are beautiful! I'm sure that will become an heirloom piece. :)

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