May 12, 2014

Legacies Are Meant to Be Passed  Along

Some things are meant to be passed from one generation to another.  In my sister's case it is the artful completion of a quilt lovingly created by  my grandma Anthony.  In mine, it is the recollection of learning the craft of knitting from my mom and grandmother Hudson, one stitch at a time.

Together we sat on the couch, three generations strong, as my hesitant, young fingers worked the yarn over the awkward needles, so eager to learn the craft, yet so clumsy in the efforts.  So far away yet so close. I tried, I failed, yet I persevered.  

It had to be the belief that  both those remarkable women, my mother and grandmother, had in me that led to a lifetime of  what I now feel to be such an important part of me. 

I learned to knit and have grown to appreciate that every day of my life.

Those first projects were simple ones - a scarf to match my winter jacket, a  plethora of crafty items, and eventually a real sweater.  Each time I picked up my needles and yarn, there was no end to what I could create.

And it all began that one day when I was a mere 7 year old child with mom and grandma at my side.

Through the years I knit mittens and gloves and hats and scarves and afghans. Then came the day when my second son was born. Eager to craft something perfectly special, I knit a fair isle sweater and matching leggings for my newborn. I still have that little gem as well as many of the other projects that I attempted.  (Even that partially completed sock which was a departure from my usual fare). Maybe one of these days I'll finish it and actually knit its mate. 

Perhaps the greatest thing of all happened, though, was last year when my mom gifted me with her knitting needles, patterns and yarn. the fact that she placed it into my hands meant the world to me.  Project #1 then was to finish the afghan that she had started many year ago and never completed. Well stitch by agonizing stitch I finished what once she began, and when done, it was regifted back to her as a Christmas surprise. 

Whenever I pick up those needles, or begin a new knitting project, or even when I'm in a knitting zone, my thoughts can't help but to retreat to those days so long ago when two generations of knitters strove to teach me their craft.

Recently I was asked to join a group of knitters who meet once a month to do, what else, knit!  It is a joy I'll tell you, to be a part of such a sorority.  For we all know how to knit and purl, increase and decrease, but what's more important is the fact that we have in common the love of knitting and of creating and of gifting what we make.  

What a legacy was made oh so many years ago when three generations of women sat together in a knitting unity.  Truly a gift of the heart.