Knitting

To begin with, I learned to knit when I was young - just basic knitting, nothing difficult. I made a few small things, but it never became my crafty thing.

Many years ago when I lived in Carbondale, Illinois I had a very good friend named Bea who was a knitter. We met through the University Women’s Club and even though she was a bit older than I was, we hit it off. In addition to all the different club interest groups we both belonged to (Antiques Group, Book Club, Knitting and Stitching, Quilting, etc.),  we went out to lunch once a week and did other things together outside the club. We had the same blood type and when she had knee surgery, I donated blood specifically for her. She was very opinionated and often gave me advice on all kinds of things. At some point, she and her husband moved to California to live with her son, daughter in law, and grandson. Later, my friend and her husband both passed away in California. 

Long story to get to the knitting part.  Her son emailed me recently and said he had come across his mother’s knitting needles and asked if I wanted them. I said yes, seeing it as a connection to his mother. He sent me all of these needles and the tin his mother kept the needles in. Wow!

I bought some inexpensive cotton yarn and thought maybe I could make a dish cloth or a coaster to start.

I cast on a bunch of stitches and did a few rows to practice. The tension is very uneven, but it is just practice.

Even if I never advance to making anything real, I can remember my friend.