The Crafting Journey (Part E)

 As mentioned in my first installment of The Crafting Journey, I learned to knit from my grandma. Me and my paternal grandmother were very close. I treasure the relationship that we shared. 

My grandmother was a woman of many talents. She could cook and sew, but also do needlepoint. She grew up in a time when that was what was expected of a woman, in addition to caring for children. 

She sewed some summer dresses for me when I was about 4 or 5, one had Strawberry Shortcake on it. She also made me a knit coat that I remember wearing, it was burgundy and had wooden buttons. I also remember a needle point project of hers, it had flowers and a pair of scissors on it, I don't believe she ever finished it, but that is okay, all of us have unfinished crafting projects.

My other grandmother also knit. She made the most beautiful things. I remember going to see her, and there was always something on the needles. I remember the sweaters that she would send for me. She would knit when she was alone, and when we were around, she was more interested in building relationships with us, rather than showing us her knitting projects. There was love in every stitch, and it was felt in every item she made. My grandma, knowing that I wanted children, just before my wedding, gave me some baby clothes that she had knit. I still have those and one day I would love to pass them to my own grandchildren. That is a special memory, she passed six months later.


I hope that one day I do have my own grandchildren to pass on my love of knitting to. My mom doesn't knit, and my sister does cross stitch, not knitting (which is not to demean her crafting journey) but knitting isn't something we share. If I don't have grandkids, the passion for knitting and the journey ends with me, and that makes me sad. 

I am looking forward to the future and what that will look like. I hope those grandkids will know that everything this grandma made was made with love. So many of the memories I have and shared were not only about my grandmothers' individual crafting journeys, but also the love in each stitch whether knit or sewn. The love...Those wonderful women have inspired my crafting journey and I love them for it!

Keep on crafting- you make a bigger impact than you know!

Melanie


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