June 17, 2007
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.
Posted by Donna at June 17, 2007 12:06 PMComments
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.
Posted by: Jejune at June 17, 2007 01:19 PMWhat lovely memories of your Grandma you have got to treasure. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Leonie at June 17, 2007 01:20 PMit 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.
With every crochet project I do, I remember my grandmother. You're in our thoughts.
Posted by: DKM at June 17, 2007 02:01 PMi'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....
Posted by: debbie at June 17, 2007 02:02 PMyour 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.
Posted by: ginger_nut at June 17, 2007 02:20 PMMy 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.
Posted by: Chris at June 17, 2007 03:14 PMI 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
Posted by: Katt at June 17, 2007 03:51 PMSad news, but what a loving family and happy memories that are with you forever.
Posted by: 2paw at June 17, 2007 03:54 PMI'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.
Posted by: claudine at June 17, 2007 04:37 PMMy condolences to you and your family. It sounds like a sad, but good, ending, with all of you together.
Posted by: Mary at June 17, 2007 07:25 PMIm 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.
Posted by: cathy at June 17, 2007 07:31 PMSad 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.
Wonderful memories to cherish from a very special member of your family.
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?
Posted by: jessie at June 17, 2007 09:05 PMSorry to hear the news But Grandma does sound wonderful and loving with every stitch you do I am sure youll have a little of Grandma with you.
Posted by: metal and knit at June 17, 2007 09:08 PMSorry to hear of your loss, Donna. But what a wonderful legacy she left you. Condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: Marina at June 17, 2007 09:41 PMI am so sorry for your loss. Your memories of her will keep her in your heart always, and what lovely memories they are.
Posted by: Jeni at June 17, 2007 10:27 PMDonna, I am so sorry for your loss. Please take care of you in the times to come
Posted by: Nat at June 17, 2007 10:55 PMGrandma'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!!!
Posted by: Leeanne at June 17, 2007 10:55 PMI'm so very sorry for your loss. You and Your Family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: chris at June 17, 2007 11:07 PMSorry 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.
Posted by: blueadt at June 17, 2007 11:11 PMMy 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.
Posted by: Cathy at June 17, 2007 11:59 PMI'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.
Posted by: sarah at June 18, 2007 12:46 AMDonna, I'm so sorry about your gramma... my thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Vicki at June 18, 2007 02:44 AMI'm so sorry about your Grandmother. Happy memories last forever.
Posted by: Janette at June 18, 2007 04:20 AMMy ballerinas and I are so sorry to hear about your grandmother. You are very lucky to have had someone like her in your life.
Posted by: Amanda at June 18, 2007 07:31 AMI 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. :-)
Posted by: Janet at June 18, 2007 08:16 AMOh 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.
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.
Posted by: Suzanne at June 18, 2007 10:04 AMMy grandmother taught me how to knit also. I'm sorry for your loss.
Posted by: monica at June 18, 2007 12:18 PMSo 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.
Posted by: Rose Red at June 18, 2007 01:47 PMWhat 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.
Posted by: Terri at June 18, 2007 05:39 PMDearest Donna, I'm really sorry to hear about your grandma. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Michelle at June 18, 2007 06:51 PMOh, 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.
Posted by: Lynne at June 18, 2007 11:25 PMDonna,
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. What a wonderful tribute to her life.
Donna,
My deepest condolences. I hope you find comfort in the wonderful memories that she left behind.
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.
Posted by: sue at June 19, 2007 01:18 AMGrandmothers are special and I know you will miss her. My deepest sympathy.
Tracy
I'm so sorry about your grandmother. It is wonderful that her love of fiber will live on in you.
Posted by: Evelyn at June 19, 2007 04:22 AMI'm sorry for your loss. I am glad she had all of you with her in her last moments. She sounds like she was a wonderful lady.
Posted by: Samantha at June 19, 2007 06:47 AMThat was a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Paula at June 19, 2007 07:56 AMSo 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.
Posted by: Sue at June 19, 2007 09:49 AMI'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Madame Purl at June 19, 2007 12:30 PMHow 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.
Posted by: Diane at June 19, 2007 02:45 PMOh... sorry to hear about your grandma.
My thoughts are with you.
Truely a time to "knit on with hope and confidence...."
Posted by: Beverley at June 19, 2007 03:35 PMI 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.
Posted by: Shan at June 19, 2007 11:17 PMI'm sorry Donna :( Hold fast to those memories. Peace to you and your family.
Posted by: lobstah at June 19, 2007 11:19 PMI'm glad you have happy memories of your Grandma, and I sorrow for your loss.
Posted by: lynne s of Oz at June 19, 2007 11:26 PMDonna 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.
Posted by: Stacy at June 19, 2007 11:54 PMSuch beautiful memories...thank you for sharing. Hugs to you all.
Posted by: Kathleen at June 20, 2007 12:59 AMI 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 (=
Posted by: Mira at June 21, 2007 05:39 AMI'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. It's nice that you have the memories.
(Sorry this is late, I'm a tad behind)
Posted by: Restless Knitter at June 25, 2007 01:55 PMI'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.
Posted by: Wanda at June 26, 2007 03:20 AM
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.
Posted by: Lara at June 17, 2007 01:08 PM