Magnum opus (plural: magna opera, also opus magnum / opera magna), from the Latin meaning "great work", refers to the largest, and perhaps the best, greatest, most popular, or most renowned achievement of a writer, artist or composer.
Sometimes the term magnum opus is used to refer to simply "a great work" rather than "the great work" of a specific person.
For over 30 years I have been knitting. I can't remember when I started but I do know that by the time I was 9 I could read a pattern and was knitting clothes for my dolls - I particularly remember a pattern for a dolls sleeping bag that I knit in 4ply navy blue - complete with zip sewn in.
During this long career with needles and yarn I have avoided knitting a jumper - bags, socks, scarfs, shawls, gloves, hats, baby things. I remember a couple of cardigans but no jumpers.
Dalesman and I have been together almost 20 years and he has received none of my knitting goodies. When I offered he always suggested another more worthy recipient. A couple of years ago there was a subtle change and I realised that the occasional comments about my knitting were hints that he would like a jumper!
It is worth saying at this point that we are both very, very fussy. It took a further two years to find a pattern that we both liked - that he would wear and that I would knit. Then it took several months to save up for the yarn..................
I cast on between Christmas and New Year 2010 - I have been knitting for 9 months and we are having a wonderful time together. To put this in context I work full time, I have a second job that I do about 6 hours a week, I am a mother and a wife and I am a slow knitter. Oh yes and it's a Gansey in 4ply navy blue!
This is the front and back knit in the round for 13 inches, then gussets added, then separated and 7 inches of the front. I am about to begin shaping for the neckline and then on to the back and the arms.
I may not finish by Christmas 2011.................a magnum opus should not be rushed.
