Jun17

My grandmother taught me how to knit.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before. She was more of a crocheter than a knitter, though. I inherited my love of yarn from her, if not the method of working the yarn.
My most vivid memory of her teaching me was when I tried to teach myself to rib. I was pretty young, but in trying to change from knit to purl, I’d been passing the yarn over the needles instead of under, and I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong to double my stitch count and end up with a row of holes. Once a lace knitter, always a lace knitter, I guess.
I remember watching her pull needles out of her knitting and just rip out mistakes, then pop all the stitches back on the needle. I was amazed, sure that I’d never be able to do that.
And I remember watching her knit, the needles flying while mine moved painstakingly slowly. I also knew I’d never, ever be that fast.
Most of her knitting was done in cheap 8 ply (DK) acrylic. It’s no less valuable for that. Emily has a large white shawl that Grandma crocheted while I was pregnant. She also crocheted some lovely baby things for her, which I’ve since passed on to other babies.
Up until about 2 years ago, when her arthritic fingers and failing memory betrayed her, she was still crocheting lap rugs for the disabled, and anyone else who wanted one. She was proud when she told me that the centre liked hers best, because they were just the right size and they didn’t get caught in the wheels of the wheelchairs.
I can pull my needles out of my knitting and confidently frog it now, then put all the stitches back on the needle, and I can knit quickly, and I wish I’d never given away those baby things.
She passed away around midnight last night. It wasn’t unexpected, we were all with her, and it was peaceful. We were reminiscing around her bedside when she took her last breath. She’d been suffering with a chest infection, and it was hard to listen to her struggling for each breath.
She’d struggled for a great many things in her life, but she doesn’t have to any more.
Thank you, Grandma.

55 thoughts on “”

  1. I’m glad your Grandma had such a peaceful end, surrounded by loved ones. I’ll be thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

  2. My condolences to you and your family – I’m glad you were able to be with her at the end, and that you have such lovely memories of her.

  4. it is so sad when loved ones pass, but positive that you have such lovely memories of her, and that she gave you the skills that bring you so much joy, and that you were there with her at the end.

  6. i’m sorry for your loss, but oh, you’ve got some beautiful memories to hold in your heart and comfort you….what a wonderful gift she’s given you….

  7. your grandma sounds a lot like my nan – I still don’t think I can knit as fast as her.
    excuse me while I have a little sniffle and think about my nan for a minute.I’d feel lost if I lost her.
    Condolences to you and your family.

  8. My heart goes out to you. I hope you find peace in her passing, knowing that she is at rest. And what a joy to find memories of her love of a craft you love. These will sustain you through the hard times.

  9. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. At least she is at peace now.
    She sounds like she was a wonderful woman. and you have some wonderful memories of her.
    Biggest hugs to you and yours in your time of need.
    Katt

  11. I’m sorry for your loss, Donna. What a wonderful gift she had given you. I’m glad that you’ll always have the lovely memories of her to treasure.

  13. Im so sorry for your loss,she will live on with you in the craft that she taught you as a child.Shes at peace now and so lucky to have a loving family surrounding her at that time. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  14. Sad news, Donna.
    Your memories of her brought my own memories of my grandma back, she died in January this year. Thank you for sharing, you’ll be in my thoughts.

  16. My condolences.
    I was with my grandmother when she died, and I am happy for the all wonderful memories (many of them fiber-related) I have of her.
    It’s all we can ask, right?

  19. I am so sorry for your loss. Your memories of her will keep her in your heart always, and what lovely memories they are.

  21. Grandma’s are such special, wise and loving people. Seems she had a loving family to care for her when she needed it the most. HUGS!!!

  23. Sorry to hear about your loss Donna. I lost my Nana in August 98 & still think about her often. She also tried to teach me to knit but I just couldn’t get the hang of it as a child. I like to think that she’d be pleased to know that I’m a knitter now.

  24. My sympathies. No matter how prepared you think you are, it still hits you like a freight train after a while. Hugs from the other side of the world.

  25. I’m so sorry for your loss. what a beautiful gift she left you (teaching you to knit) and one that you can pass onwards and think of her as you do so. take care of yourself at this difficult time, sarah.

  28. My ballerinas and I are so sorry to hear about your grandmother. You are very lucky to have had someone like her in your life.

  29. I am so sorry for your loss and so happy for your wonderful memories and relationship.
    And the baby things are just spreading Grandma’s love around. 🙂

  30. Oh Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We are thinking of you and your family. It looks like through the comments that are quite a few of us who have gone through this recently!! We will continue thinking about you and remember the memories you have of your grandma.

  31. Donna, I am so sorry about the loss of your Grandma. I am glad that you have the memories of her to comfort you. My thoughts will be with you and your family. My grandmother was a crocheter, too and she passed away when I was 16. I still have her metal cigar case with her crochet hooks in it.

  33. So sorry Donna about your loss, but so good that you have some great memories and even better a wonderful skill as a reminder of her and her influence on your life. Hope the next few days and weeks are ok for you and your family.

  34. What a blessing you had in your Grandma. I’m sad for you, but also glad for you that you too enjoyed the sort of relationship with your Gran that I did with mine, who also taught me to knit. Mine died 10 years ago and I still miss her every day. Hugs.

  36. Oh, Donna – I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad it was peaceful for her. I will be thinking of you, your grandma and my two nannas who both knitted.

  39. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad you and your family were able to be with her and have a chance to say good-bye.

  41. I’m so sorry about your grandmother. It is wonderful that her love of fiber will live on in you.

  44. So sorry for your family’s loss of an obviously very talented wonderful lady. At least she had all her family with her when she passed over. I am sure that all her knitting will be treasured for many years to come, just like the wonderful memories that you have of her.

  46. How wonderful to be able to look back and share thoughts of your grandmother. I hope you’ll find peace and comfort wrapping in the warmth of your memories.

  48. I shall be thinking of you and your family. I am very far away, but should you need anything that is in my power to provide just let me know.

  51. Donna you are thousands of miles from Virginia, USA but I feel I know you and your family so well through your blog. My thoughts and prayers with you and your family. What wonderful memories you have to pass on.

  53. I just saw this post today and I’m really sorry to hear about your Grandma. *Hugs* … I lost my grandma about 2 years ago to cancer.
    Take care (=

  55. I’m so sorry to hear of your grandmother. I was out of town and behind on my blogreading. I’m glad to know that she is at rest now and no longer suffering.

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