So much math and a bittersweet good-bye

A dear friend and mentor is retiring next week and leaving us.  She hired me 8 years ago at the university and literally welcomed me with open arms and a hug on my first day.  At the time, I was recovering from four years of being a “starving student” and trying to figure out how to buy gifts for my 11 nieces and nephews for Christmas.  Martha Stewart published a cute hat and scarf pattern in her magazine and I thought, why not give knitting a try?   I’ve been a fiber artist most of my life, but had never tried knitting.  So I made gifts for the kids and they were a hit.  One day at work, I mentioned what I had done and had just bought the book, Stitch’n Bitch so was looking for a knitting group.  It turned out I worked with lots of knitters and some who wanted to learn.  Dr. MAO said, “If you plan it, we will come.”  That started our group, Knit Theory.

The first gathering was small with some dessert, relaxing music and good company.  Later we added more people and made some sampler blankies for charity.  We also made a few afghans for friends who retired, got married, etc. I haven’t worked in that department for about 6 years and over the last two, we have not really done much as a group, but now it was time.

You see, Dr. MAO means a lot to all of us and we had to do something special for her.  She’s a mathematician, so the theme would be something mathematical (Fibonacci spirals within a Golden Rectangle) and with our school color, cardinal red.  Dr. H. came up with the design and did some of the hard math and I wrote the pattern.  Our LYS, Heartstrings, and Jimmy Bean’s Wool sold us the yarn.  We divied up the assignments and 12 of us got to work.  This was the fastest project we ever turned out and if you squint, it looks great.  Yes, there were a few challenges along the way, but compared to the love in that blanket for Dr. MAO, the challenges are small. 

Here’s the result:

I’m thinking of putting the pattern up on Ravelry.  What do you think?  If I were to make it again, I’d join as I go to reduce bulk and headaches, but when you’re making a group project, all of the pieces must be separate unless you have lots of time to complete it.

Thanks, everyone for your hard work.  We’ll miss you Margaret!