Knit one, Purl two…. Ok, make that just knit…knit….knit. Yes, I have been hooked on knitting this winter. I am loving it. I only know how to knit scarves, but knitting them, I am. Seems that a lesson I learned in fifth grade, some 45 yrs ago, is resurfacing. Back in 1968, in South Dakota, our fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Austin, taught us students how to knit. Mrs. Austin was one of those “you’ll never forget” sweet, older lady teachers. You know, the ones with the belted floral dresses, hankies up the sleeve, hair a wavy blue-gray. You get the picture. Oh, and her voice had kind of a soothing sound to it, even maybe a bit of a whistle to it. Mrs. Austin would read a chapter book to us, after noon-time recess, and we would pull out our knitting as we clicked away to the soothing sound of her voice. Picture this on a cold winter’s day in South Dakota and you probably have visions of Little House on the Prairie. Well, it wasn’t quite that rustic!
So, fast forward to 2014, and you will find me clicking away, on these colder winter days. Delightful! One of my friends was recently visiting me and she said she could just crawl up on our couch and fall asleep, listening to that sound. (Really, she liked the sound of the clicking needles… She was not drowsing from boredom, I promise!) The best part of that day was the conversation and joy we had being together, but after she left, the memories of that day got intertwined and woven into that scarf.
I have heard it said from people who quilt, that every quilt brings back a memory of the feelings they had as they did the sewing. I feel the same way with the knitting. It’s really great when you know as you knit, who the recipient is going to be. All that love and all those good feelings for that person really do get knit into the piece. Hard to explain this, but it’s an amazing feeling, for sure. I recently finished a scarf for another dear friend, and as she put it on she said, “Oh it even smells like you, Mary”…(Thankfully she did add that it was a good smell…Whew!) So, create, express and then honor a friend or family member with your creation. It just feels good to pour yourself into something, then share it with someone else.
My sister Robin had told me several months ago that “every person needs a hobby. It’s just good for them.” I would have to agree with that thought. I know that in our busy world, many people don’t really have the time to think about hobbies, (and I might have thought that same thing last year when I was working at a very busy job) but what a gift it is to give yourself the joy of learning something new, and creating and just slowing down a little to enjoy something outside of your normal world. Maybe pick up those knitting needles, (or, “knitting sticks” as one of my friends called them!) or grab a paint brush, a writing pen, you name it…Just create…and enjoy…and slow down …. I know as a fifth grader, it just felt good, and as a 57 year old, it still feels nice… Maybe you can find a “Mrs. Austin” to teach you something new… Oh my gosh, I just realized, I AM about the “Mrs. Austin” age now! Kind of glad we don’t go with the blue gray hair any longer, but she looked great with it! Happy knitting one and all…Click click click…..
Mame's the Name 
This is husband, Mike —— yes the clicking is pervasive in the house……..and no, it does NOT get on my nerves, …….. it makes me smile………
that’s right Mike… you do hear the clicking plenty!
I LOVE my scarf!!!!!!!!
and I love you!
I have enjoyed knitting as a young woman, even made myself a long coat sweater in turquoise and mom, Anna made me one in a heavier uneven type yarn in cream. Both lovely, but in years after the length was wrong and I shortened the Turquoise and wore it, but both are gone now. As I think back on it, I know you can’t save everything, but they would have been in and out of style all these 45 years or so. Now I have a hobby of water color and being in Hawaii right now I have done two paintings so far. We moved from Kona to Maui yesterday and I plan to do as many more as possible. Soon we’ll take a walk on the beach and I can look for a shady place to sit as I paint. At one time I was suffering from depression and I crocheted three afghans. They were the kind that you do all the rows and then put them all together. They kept my mind busy. Then I made a three Irish Afghans for my sister’s kids when they got married. Now I don’t think I have time to crochet. I think I need to organize and declutter my house. A never ending job for me. I enjoy your topics dear cousin. Ginny would love this and Anna too. I can feel them looking over my shoulder as I type. Praise God!!
Oh Patty, what a sweet note! and how cool you are doing watercolors in Hawaii! Have Dave take a pic of that! How serene! Wow, you sure have done your share of knitting /crocheting! That turquoise coat sweater sounded so awesome! Thanks for the sweet comment about Ginny and Anna and how they would enjoy these topics too… Love that thought! and love you, Patty… Love, Cousin Mary
Mary, your scarves are lovely – to watch you create them as well as see someone wearing one 🙂 I remember in elementary school we had a lady who taught us to crotchet – goodness, her name is escaping me but I can remember going to her home so she could instruct us in the art…over the years I did make a few little things but never learned to read a pattern so I basically just make a row and turn it around and go back! Anyway, our Aunt Safie also taught me a broomstick stitch – using the sawed off handle of a broomstick of course! Today you would find a nice plastic rod at the crafts store, but she was a child of the Depression so you used what you had! Finding a hobby, that is something I need to do – it’s always more tempting to sit and read a book — maybe that is my hobby???
Joyce, your reading IS a hobby…I love hearing how you “sat and read a book this afternoon”…always fascinates me how quickly your read..I love that! …and your cooking and baking is a great hobby too, and you have blessed so many people w/ your creations.. Just think of my father-in-law Marvin and how you bless his with all those popcorn creations he so loves! ….and on and on…you do have hobbies!
I love this entry Mary. It was such a beautiful day…Your scarves are made with love.
I loved watching you make them. There is something so peaceful & soothing about the way you knit. You are not only good at it I can’t believe how fast you are! They are one of a kind and lil pieces of art… Just like you Mary…There is only 1 Mary and how blessed we are to know such a beautiful person!
Love you!
Jerm
Jerm, so glad to have shared that beautiful day too..What very kind and sweet sentiments you wrote here, Jerm.. I think I need all of you great writers to do a guest writing! Love you and YOU are one of a kind, a true blessing in my life! Love, Mary