Wednesday 1 June 2011

Knitting as Comfort

Thank you to everyone for the kind comments and messages of sympathy - each one is so appreciated. 


As we sorted through my parents' house we came across many of the knitted gifts I've made for them over the years.  Lyra was still in the tissue paper I originally wrapped it in.  The only wear and tear was on the paper - worn from when my Mom would take it out to show it off to someone - before carefully wrapping it up again. 

Lyra has come home with me and I am clearly my Mother's daughter as it's currently still in the same tissue paper.  I'll be trying to find a home worthy of it over the coming weeks.

I've taken to wearing the Retro Rib socks I made for my Dad (which he did wear a lot!) - they are too big but they feel perfect to me.

My niece Sarah has the cardigan I made for Mom last year, and Dyl has the cardigan I made for Dad in January.  I like knowing that the love I put into the projects is being passed on - and I hope the cardigans bring the girls some comfort.
Current knitting has been slow.  I made a pair of socks which went to Dylann and discovered I need to get cracking on a few more  if I want to  have any chance of filling this year's sock requesst list. 

I can't believe there was a time I was worried that I was knitting socks no one would want!





I picked the Princess back up a couple of weeks ago but progress is slow and a little uninspiring.  I've decided that I'll do at least one edging repeat a day.  That at least gets me to pick it up and I do find myself doing one or two more some days.

I don't know how many repeats I've done -- just that it's 'not enough'.


I figure at some point it'll become a real project and I'll work on it with  a bit of enthusiasm.  Until then - one edging repeat at a time.

I've just cast on a baby jacket for a friend who is due in June - it's fun to be making baby stuff. 

It's a Debbie Bliss pattern from The Baby Knits Book called the Donkey Jacket - and I'm torn on whether or not I'll be making the ears.  Ironic really as it was the ears that drew me to the pattern!  I expect I'll change my mind a few hundred times before I finish it.

It's a lined jacket:- the inside made on 4.5 mm needles, the outside made to the same pattern on larger 5 mm needles.  I've chosen a wintry red for the outside and am making it in 6 month size so it should fit the little one around Christmas.

And to finish it off there are a cute little pair of shoes to co-ordinate!  Better get busy - just set a date to meet the expectant mom next Tuesday.

4 comments:

fleegle said...

Yeah, I found my knitted and embroidered gifts when my parents died...still wrapped up...I actually gave them away, because I couldn't bear to look at them.

Your Lyra is still inspiring. Good luck with Pricesss--I made it through three repeats before I realized I was too bored to continue. I am sure you have more energy than I did!

Pat said...

I am so sorry for your loss. When my mother died I also found every project I made for her in a condition that showed how much she treasured them.
Your description of your Dad is very beautiful.

LittleBerry said...

I'm so pleased you're finding good homes for your work that was so obviously treasured by your parents especially your mum and i hope you find an exceptional home for Lyra

Anonymous said...

Lovely to revisit your blog after quite a long time away! I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing - the blog post that you wrote was really nice though, and the photos are lovely. It's wonderful that the things you made for your parents have now gone to other family members to be loved and used (not hidden away). Reading about your Princess shawl has reminded me I still haven't got round to making a Lyra, so I'm off to buy the pattern and yarn right now!!
Best wishes, Vikki :)