Their gift was the greater
Friday January 25th 2013, 10:02 pm
Filed under: Friends,Knitting a Gift

Got to the post office: boots returned, striped hat mailed to old friend. Check.

Drove north. Silk scarf delivered to Piano Guy for his wife.

“I didn’t think they *made* this anymore,” he wondered out loud. “It really is…?”

“Silk,” I nodded, Yes. (It’s all Colourmart‘s fault.)

When I knit a hat for him awhile ago, he gave me a handshake in thanks, but in his excitement today at looking forward to the look to come in his wife’s face and in a color I knew she would love, I got a gentle hug this time on my way out.

I drove to the pharmacy. BD brand alcohol wipes in stock? (Needed when changing the dressing every three days.) Some of the other brands have perfumes, so, that one.

“I can’t keep them in stock,” Pharmacy Guy apologized.

Okay, no problem, meantime… I reached into my purse and pulled out a washable wool hat (thank you DebbieR! I just didn’t have a yarn that felt right, but she did.) “Is this set of colors okay?”

“Okay for what?” confused.

“For you, handknit by me,” and as he grabbed it, exclaiming in delight, I reminded him of that day and thanked him for looking out for us. He pulled it down to his eyebrows and created a Cheshire Cat moment: that big, big grin was all there seemed to be. He about danced.

I drove home remembering my occasional grouse over the slipperiness of silk and the few rows I had had to tink back carefully and redo because the stitches had jumped off the needle when I’d put it down, or the length of my queue or any other silly thing that ever got in my way even for a moment and remembered, this is what it’s all about. This is why I do this. To put more love into the world, to give back for all the people who’ve looked out for me, who prayed/hoped me back to good health and before and after. I owe those guys for how much more knitting will happen for more people because they knew it and they treasured it when they saw it and felt it.

(p.s. and a note to the knitters–today’s scarf was pure silk, but those on the site with a bit of lycra to them? In my very limited experience via one swatch, they seem to be able to grip another yarn in a way plain silk does not, so if you wanted to blend colors and increase weights by knitting two strands of whatever other yarn together with it, the thinner 95/5 silk/lycras are the way to go. And all of them, being cones from the mill, need to be scoured in hot water when you’re done knitting to get the mill oils out: softens the yarn and removes the dulling, graying effect of the stuff. And then look what you have! Glorious!)


6 Comments so far
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Oh yay! I can just imagine that Cheshire Cat grin. I’m delighted you enjoyed such a wonderful thank you from Pharmacy Guy. And I wish you easy luck with the boot shopping.

Comment by DebbieR 01.25.13 @ 10:58 pm

Hehe I can just picture the grin, and great to get a hug from Piano Guy. You’re spreading happiness wherever you go, again, with handknits and heartwarming stories!

Good luck with the boot hunting!

Comment by tinebeest 01.26.13 @ 3:41 am

Gotta love it!

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 01.26.13 @ 8:26 am

wonderful joyful mind pictures — and sharing that joy is what makes the work even more amazing

Comment by bev 01.26.13 @ 9:09 am

Sounds like Alison. Oh, that IS Alison! Out there making people happy!

Comment by Don Meyer 01.26.13 @ 11:58 am

i think i have some BD brand. Mike can tolerate any brand for his weekly Enbrel. will send what i have.

Comment by Tola 01.26.13 @ 5:48 pm



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