Knitting, hospitals & ME

My last post was August last year, just before my great Aunt Winnie's 100th birthday. The birthday girl from my last post made it to her 100th birthday!

She was so pleased to have her many friends and family come to her party. She had been in the hospital for two weeks prior to her party with pnumonia. We were worried she might not make it to the party, but she was determined to have the party. She had to leave her home of 30 years and stay in a nursing home for the last few months of her life.  We made a scrap book for her and the cover says it all.  We miss you!

Right after the party for my great aunt Winnie, my mother turned 80.

We had a smaller party for her just a few close friends, my aunt Jeanie her daughter Jamie, me and my sister Tory and a surprise guest Jim. It was just perfect.

She did not want a BIG party but one where she could sit and really have time to have a conversation with those who were there. She was feeling good and enjoyed her time with friends and family. We didn't know in August of 2009 that she would not see her 81st birthday.

Fortunately, I had retired in 2008. I spent most of 2009 taking care of my mom - either at her home or mine, or while she was hospitalized. I used my knitting to keep my hands busy and my mind quiet. Working on my knitting allowed me to focus on something I COULD do while not being able to change the ongoing decline of my mother's health. I worked on a shrug for her to wear to keep warm.

I am proud to say she loved it - and it was the one thing she wanted with her at the hospital - she called it her security blanket. How wonderful for me to have made something that she kept with her until she died. Since then I have made a few more. Some for other people's mothers and some for friends, but each made with love!

Knitting has become a passion for me. Now I make things for friends and strangers. Chemo Caps and Hand warmers for those undergoing cancer treatments and need something to keep them warm, or to raise money for cancer research and awareness. Something for hospice.

I've found this is something I CAN do! It warms my heart to be able to bring even a small smile to someone.

Knitting has also helped me deal with the stress of planning a funeral, and now dealing the details of my mother's estate. When things are difficult or a bit more stressful, I can pull out something soft or a color that makes me smile and brings me back to a moment of peace. Now I find enjoyment in spending time with friends locally - we call it a meet up! Lots of wonderful women who have helped me during this last year.

Thank you ladies - for introducing me to the joy of knitting with friends.

Learning the knots and the knits

July 4th 2009 - I retired one year ago after 35 years in the banking business. What to do - What to do - What to do? Everyone has a plan for me - even me!

I'm not all that crafty, but I had crocheted for years, had done macrame in the 70s (Didn't everyone?) and was ready for something new.


I am also an avid reader -- why is that important? Well, I started reading a Debbie Macomber book about a woman who opened a knitting store "on Blossom Street" and how the women in the book met other women who learned to knit and became friends. .... I was hooked... I had to try knitting!!! What a great way to meet women in my community and to learn something new! Additionally, I had a family situation come up - where I was going to be spending a few weeks staying with an elderly family member - I could knit and talk - or knit quietly if my family member nodded off! Of course I have an MP3 player with some books on tape or music to listen to - while knitting. A long drive in the car or on a plane - and I would have something to keep me busy while traveling. Sounds perfect doesn't it?
The part I wasn't counting on -- I LOVE knitting! After practicing my basic stitches with some inexpensive yarn - I was buying other yarns and decided my first project would be some fingerless mittens for my mom. She seems to always be cold - so these mittens would be a nice present for her 80th birthday and she would be able to wear them when reading a book or doing her crochet work. I found a pattern on line at Ravelry.com and then headed off to the local Michael's store to pick our the perfect yarn. I found Simply Soft in a pale blue - washable yarn - and made up the mitts. I was a bit challenged - as there were new stitches - Cable - Moss, but I struggled through the right hand (the way the pattern is listed) and then had to figure how to reverse the pattern so the thumb ended up in the correct place on the left hand. A few trys -- and the use of some pattern markers - and they turned out OK!

So what is next - more mitts? Probably... but now I want to try socks -- double pointed needles! YIKES! I've started my practicing - which means I work it and tear it out a few times and I am learning to handle all those needles at one time. My plan is to make 2 socks (1 pair) by the end of July. I 'll check in again in August and let you know how I'm doing!