Has anyone ever asked you that? It can be a hard question to answer. I had never really thought about it before. I guess I knit mostly for the pleasure of creating something useful. I love to watch as the yarn “magically” becomes a hat, mittens, socks….you name it! I was recently thinking about this hobby of mine and how it touches not only my life, but the lives of the people that I knit for. I have made mittens, sizzle hats, bags, regular hats, wristlets, headbands, and other things for my nieces and my own daughters, a hoodie sweater and some booties and mittens for my little man. But, I think the most gratifying things I have ever made were for a wonderful woman named Natalie Harkins.
Natalie was the most beautiful soul you would ever be lucky enough to know. She also was a stunningly beautiful woma, with a ready smile and a beautiful head of black glossy hair. About 5 years ago Natalie found out that she had cancer, I believe it was ovarian cancer, and it was quite advanced. This did not douse Natalie’s verve for life at all. She went about all of her radiation and chemo treatments with an inner calm and was quite stoic. I think I only saw her spirit flag 1 or 2 times. We used to commute on the ferry together and I was pretty well into the scarf craze that was going on about 3 or 4 years ago. Natalie had just started her Chemotherapy and lost all of her beautiful hair. This was quite upsetting for her I am sure, but more than that, her head was cold, especially at night (Maine winter nights can get a bit nippy). She approached me on the ferry one day and asked if I would be willing to knit her a cap that she could sleep in at night, but also something that she might be able to wear during the day too, as hats for outside were just too heavy to wear indoors all day long. Needless to say I was touched to be asked to do this, and happy to oblige.
I did many searches through books, magazines, and the internet to find just the right hat, and could not settle on any one, so I decided to make twp or three! I picked out the softest, nonscratchy yarn I could and happily set them to needles. When I presented the hats to Natalie, she actually had the nerve to ask me how much money I wanted for them! I told her no, they were a gift. It had made me happy to make them and I did not need any money for them. She tried to push it, but I stuck to my guns. What a wonderful treat to be able to provide warmth and comfort for my beautiful friend.
Natalie passed away a couple of weeks ago. While it was known that this was coming, it was still quite a blow to everyone who knew her. I am happy I was able to make some small part of her journey a little easier, I hope.
This is why I knit!
On a lighter note, look what I found lurking in my home…….
That is my middle child, the 14-3/4-year-old. She asked if I would teach her to knit!! She tried learning when she was about 9, but now at almost 15 seems to have a better grasp on it. She is making a beanie-type hat and I think the working in the round is a lot easier for her, she used to have quite a bit of trouble with that first stitch turning into two before. Also, this time I showed her the continental style (I just learned myself a couple of months ago) and she is having better luck with not having to let go of the needles all the time. Actually, I think she is quite addicted! Yes! Another one for OUR side!!!
Happy Knitting!
