Thanks for all the kind words regarding my grandmother. She really was a great woman and well loved in her community. We shared the love of knitting. She was my inspiration for learning to knit in the first place. My very first large project was this sweater for her in 1989. It’s from Simplicity Knitting, Winter 1988. It’s #24 and just called Icelandic Cardigan.
About five years ago we visited my grandparents when we lived at Ft. Campbell, KY. I’d shown my grandmother a pair of socks I’d been working on. A few months later she told me on the phone that after seeing me enjoy it so much, she’d like to try knitting again. She’d given it up years before due to severe arthritis in her hands. It was about six months before Christmas and she wanted to surprise my grandfather with a pair of socks. We were talking on the phone and she asked me about how I’d done the kitchener stitch. As we were on the phone she took notes. She mentioned the socks now and then over time and she showed them to me when we visited in February, frustrated because she couldn’t keep focused on them. I wanted to help her finish them but I didn’t want to offend her and make her feel like she couldn’t do it. She was still aware enough that her forgetfulness was very frustrating for her. Between the arthritis and the Alzheimer’s, knitting was very difficult for her.
After she passed away I asked my grandfather if I could look for the socks so I could finish them. He knew exactly where they were and led me to the little basket on their desk with a finished sock, an unfinished sock, the pattern book she’d used for years and years and a little surprise…. paper clipped to the pattern book were the notes she’d taken while on the phone with me five or so years ago. What a gift!
I finished the sock that she’d left on the needles and gave them to my grandfather for Father’s Day. He was very moved. I’ve knit him many socks over the years, including a pair of alpaca ones that he had put away to be buried in. You may remember me telling you that he loves my handknit socks so much that he puts duct tape on the soles of them as soon as he gets them so they’ll last longer. lol. These simple acrylic socks have replaced those alpaca ones and I couldn’t be more pleased. The sweetest thing about it all… look to the right. See the yarn wrapped around something? Can you make out what it is? Take a closer look:
My thrifty Scot grandmother had the yarn wrapped around a plastic knife. lol. And there it will stay forever.
Wow Jean. What a neat story. Once again, you’ve brought tears to my eyes. I think when I see you highlighted in my bloglines, I’ll just get the kleenex. 😉
What a lovely memory and story that you have to pass on. Jeepers, where are those tissues?
I miss my Scottish grandmothers too. So thankful for the things they passed on to me…like knitting. She’ll always be with you!
Oh, how SWEET. I love those socks from afar.
Hi,
What a wonderful find. Hug.
Jean, once again you made my eyes mist. What a beautiful remembrance!
Marta
Oh Jean, this is a beautiful gift from God to comfort you in your grief. I cried when I read it. I still miss my Grandma and have been blessed with many little reminders that pop up here and there in books – little notes she wrote, things she underlined. I have been gone for 5 weeks and this is the first time I have had a chance to comment. I am glad to see you back. I kept checking in and saw no posts. After awhile I was concerned and prayed for you. Lots of changes in your life. I hope you are finding peace in the midst of it all. Welcome back!
That is such a sweet story. And it choked me up about your notes paper-clipped to her old pattern. SO sweet.
Thanks Dave. My sons and I were reading it after I sent it to you and remembering her. We really miss her…..