Knit one, purl one, yarn over, knit two together

My grandmothers were/are two completely different women with very different lifestyles. Each of them imparted their own special wisdom and knowledge onto me as is expected from elders of any clan. Today I want to talk about my paternal grandma who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated here as a young war bride. She raised her family on a farm and with little money but had so much richness in the everyday tasks she lovingly did for her family. A true domestic engineer with old school ways and old country values.

As a youngster, I remember every Christmas when my mother, along with all the women in our clan, would receive grandma's hand knit wash cloths, dish towels, and pot holders. Every baby would get a blanket, booties and bonnet. Grandma was always knitting something when I visited so I asked her to teach me how to knit. She hesitated at first, most likely considering knitting more of a woman's skill, but then quickly showed me how to cast on stitches and do a basic stocking stitch. Every few stitches I would need correcting on my tension and/or dropping stitches, but essentially I got it.

I continued to knit throughout my teens and into my twenties. Finding it comforting and exciting to make something out of two sticks and some yarn. I don't even know if my grandma knew how much I treasured learning this skill from her. She passed away a year ago this month. The only thing I wanted  was her knitting needles and I have them now, tucked into my own knitting bag. A reminder of the special time we shared. If only those needles could talk of all the items that were made with them along with my grandma's love.

Recently, after a few years off, I have picked up the needles again to find that same desire to create. I can thank my friend G for inviting me to her 'Stitch n Bitch' which rekindled my love and lit a fire under my ass to finish some of my projects from more than 3 years ago. Since I've got plenty of time and money is tight, I can spend the time using up that closet full of yarn. I tend to plug in a DVD to half watch while I'm still paying enough attention to not drop stitches and remember knit and purl at the right time.