Knit one, purl one

My mom was a big knitter. She knit us mittens, hats and scarves. I remember a purple pair she made for me that went with my purple midi winter coat. Loved them. I was amazed watching her work with four straight needles to do mittens. She had her spot at the kitchen table, the pattern written in her distinctive cursive writing on airmail paper sitting on the table. I can remember the click of the needles.

She taught my sister and I to knit -- I think we were after a badge for Brownies - can't remember my first project, but can remember Carmel's -- an aqua blue swatch that grew in size as Carmel went on, unintentionally adding stitches. I don't remember what it started out to be, but it ended up being a sometimes blanket, sometimes shawl or stole for our Barbies. I wonder if it is still in the Barbie cases of clothes.

When I went to university, my friend Allison introduced me to round needles that were all the rage to do the Fairisle and Icelandic sweaters that everyone was sporting in the early 80s. I caught the knitting bug, and passed it on to my mom who proceeded to knit many a sweater herself.

My aunt brought my mom some needles and wool back in the spring. My dad said she started knitting right away - long term memory and muscle memory at work I guess. My sister and I were kicking ourselves that we hadn't thought of it sooner as it had a calming effect on my mom. I couldn't wait to see her knit again and hear the click of the needles again.

I got my chance when I was home for Father's Day. Sara and Julia ran down to Mom's room and raced back with the wool, needles, and the project she was working on . Sure enough, when handed the needles and the wool, Mom looped the wool around her fingers -- her trademark style for keeping her tension so even -- she never used a knitting gauge--and began knitting. Carmel and I began to cry.
Julia was very interested in the whole process, watching Nana's smooth and steady movements and even stitches. She's always been crafty and quite adept at the fine motor stuff, so I knew she would catch on quickly.

And here Julia is working on her scarf for Nana - she's using a small set of round needles from my needle collection. "This will be my new hobby," she announced proudly. I rejoiced at her zeal for this new hobby as the last new hobby involved a DS. She also knows now how to purl. I love hearing her say, "I've got to catch up on my knitting."

We were back in Sarnia for Mom's 80th birthday, and Julia was most excited to show Nana her work. A little knitting circle was born.

Sara working on her scarf that Grandma got her started on.

Papa -- who claims he knows how to knit -- looks on.

I love this picture of my mom's hands --

you can see the wool looped around her right hand.

Julia has 92 rows complete on her scarf, about a third of the way to a finished scarf. There are a few dropped stitches along the way, but overall she's done a wonderful job. Nana would be proud. The knitting and the clicking continues.