Wednesday, March 30, 2011

2KCBWDAY4: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?



Whatever happened to your __________?



Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.
There are a lot of different aspects to look at when looking back at a knitting project and it can make for interesting blogging, as much of the time we blog about items recently completed, new and freshly completed. It is not so often that we look back at what has happened to these items after they have been around for a while.
How has one of your past knits lived up to wear. Maybe an item has become lost. Maybe you spent weeks knitting your giant-footed dad a pair of socks in bright pink and green stripes which the then ‘lost’. If you have knit items to donate to a good cause, you could reflect on the was in which you hope that item is still doing good for it’s owner or the cause it was made to support.

This subject bought unexpected tears to my eyes. I am reflecting on my first sweater. Even though I have said that I will be making my first sweater this year, it will be my first "correct" sweater that I am committed to doing.

This is the story of a best friend and a sweater. In my younger days I never had a clue as to what to give anyone for Christmas. I really didn't have that much money and I wanted to give something that was special. I decided to make my friend a sweater.  remember it was a simple pattern with three half cables on the front in a vee formation. I had never done cables, pick up stitches, ribbing or seaming, but I was determined to produce a sweater. I remember night after night I sat in my straight back kitchen
chair and knitted for hours at a time. There was never a thought of I couldn't do it. It was knit and purl and I knew how to do both. I learned, in that sweater, how to be patient, how to read instructions, how to keep tears off the garment and to take deep breathes and calm myself when I messed up. I had awful panic attacks, but there was joy too because it was going to a best friend. I know it took me two months to make because it was late in the fall season when I got the idea for the gift. I finished it Christmas Eve, wrapped it up and presented to my friend on Christmas Day. I will never forget the look in her eyes when she saw that sweater. It was a look of sheer wonder, shock and appreciation and it made my Christmas. I was so proud of my accomplishment. A few months later I asked her why she never wore the sweater and she said she was waiting for a special occasion. She told me beauty like that needs a beautiful occasion. I bought that and never asked again. My dear friend passed away in 1999 and I have thought of her ofter over the years but until this subject came up I had forgotten about that sparkly grey sweater I had made for her. Knowing what I know now, she was being so kind to me. I never heard of a gauge swatch and I'm pretty sure it was way too small for her. Thinking back on those days, I'm pretty sure she probably couldn't get it over her head, and if she could, the seaming would have scratched her skin (I only knew running stitch at that time and I didn't have a delicate hand.)
She knew what that sweater meant to me to make for her. I never found out
what happened to that little gray sweater, but the memory of my friend and
her everlasting kindness has once again bubbled to the surface and has made
me ache at her absence. I am hoping that sweater has found her in heaven
and now fits perfectly.

11 comments:

Napiligal said...

What a beautiful story. What a good friend she was to you and you to her. Treasure that friendship always.

Naomi said...

thats a beautiful, sad story

A Playful Day said...

Stunning story, beautifully told. It's nice to think of friends we miss isn't it? Thank you for being brave enough to share something that clearly hurt

Anonymous said...

Your story brought a tear to MY eye!

Nancy McCarroll said...

Your story is touching. Hope that sweater is being used today and your friend is smiling down on the wearer.

pinkundine said...

That's a really touching story, and how lovely of your friend to recognise what you'd put into making it for her.

Anonymous said...

And that's what it's all about. Lovely story, thanks for sharing. :)

Pumpkin Pie Baby said...

Thank you for writing such a beautiful post. What a tribute to your friend and your friendship!

Stefanie said...

Oh, what a beautiful story. Only BFFs would appreciate something like that and never hurt your feelings when they know so much time, love, and work went into that.

Ms C @ HappyElastic said...

A very touching story xx

Gracey is not my name.... said...

This brought tears to my eyes...thank you for sharing