AlisonH
Every piece of our handknitting carries a history of our days within it.
Sandi is one of the co-owners of Purlescence, and the person who gifted me with that lightweight, collapsible scooter recently. How do you thank someone who offers you your mobility back? I went into her shop last week and bought (among other things) four skeins of Kidsilk Haze and a matching Alpaca With A Twist’s Fino baby alpaca/silk laceweight. I loved how the two strands played off each other.
My son’s doctor blithely told him he would be home within two to three hours after his arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Three hours after, he still had a breathing tube down him, out cold. I knitted and knitted and knitted Sandi’s yarn, keeping the generosity of her spirit present in every stitch as I did. I knit his recovery into those stitches, and of course, he’s fine; it just took patience and time. Like (what else) knitting.
Three days ago, I showed my friend Nancy what I had so far. It was a guess exactly how much the lace would stretch downwards once I blocked it. I thought I had enough; Nancy said no, keep going. So I did a few more pattern repeats, mostly to keep Nancy happy. Then, as long as I was at it, what the heck, I kept working till I was about out of yarn. I blocked it, checked it over, and thought, Great. Now I just knew it was going to be way too long; Sandi is emphatically not a tall person. Twenty-seven inches–on her?
Nancy gave me a lift over to our first time at Purlescence’s knitting group last night. Before we headed off, I showed her the shawl. I was sure I’d blown it, and I told her I was going to start over with another yarn I’d bought from Sandi, so she’d have a shawl that wouldn’t just totally swamp her.
Nancy said, You made this for Sandi. The color will be perfect on her. She will love it. Give this one to her.
You know how sometimes someone with some sense says just what you need to hear?
Yeah. Sandi loved it. Like there was a question?
10 Comments so far
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It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. Of course she loves it.
Comment by Kristine 03.16.07 @ 3:37 pmKristine, you’re wonderful.
Comment by AlisonH 03.16.07 @ 4:55 pmAlison where are you? Are you in California? I just have to come out there so I can see you in person and have a conversation that includes sound. Or if you are ever in the Louisville, KY area please please let me know.
Comment by Sonya 03.16.07 @ 4:57 pmI’m in northern California. When we moved here, our realtor, who was from New Jersey, assured us we’d never have to go visit family anymore, they’d all want to come see us. Especially in the winter. There was the time my in-laws carried their suitcases high while wading through deep snow to get to the main road for the taxi to take them to the airport, to come to where we had wonderful weather to greet them with.
I still miss snow. Because I don’t have to shovel it. Meantime, though, hmm, I’m trying for Stitches East if that helps any.
Comment by AlisonH 03.16.07 @ 5:17 pmThat shawl is gorgeous, and PERFECT on her!!!
I can’t believe it took you less than a week to make it…
Total insanity is when I made two that size in one week for the sake of my book; doing one means going at a fairly leisurely pace. They really don’t take all that long.
Comment by AlisonH 03.16.07 @ 5:39 pmIt’s gorgeous! Did you use your own pattern design or one that is publicly available? The size is perfect.
Comment by Reluctant Penguin 03.17.07 @ 4:10 amIt’s one of the patterns in my book that is coming out June 11, “Wrapped in Comfort: Knitted Lace Shawls,” pub. by Martingale Press. That particular pattern is simple enough for a beginner, easily, so I gave it in two sizes so that people could adapt it to a myriad of yarn choices; I figured it would be a popular one, and that I ought to make it as useful as possible. That one there is done in doubled strands of laceweight, like I say–with one of them Kidsilk Haze, which, because of the fluff factor, you would use a larger needle for than a typical laceweight anyway. So, for that shawl, I used size 10 (6mm) needles and the smaller pattern, and there you go.
Comment by AlisonH 03.17.07 @ 10:18 amIt looks perfect on her….and look at how happy she is!! What a wonderful present Alison!! Cheers 😉
Comment by Sheila E 03.17.07 @ 11:52 amYour Shawl is just BEAUTIFUL !!
Penny
http://pennyknits.blogspot.com/
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