Nana rarely used patterns and could knit a fairisle sweater in just a few weeks. Each season, she made my sisters and me sweaters, socks, mittens and hats. She gave me a pillow sham for inspiration once. She had woven the linen, tatted the 2 inch lace edging and embroidered flowers on the front. I believe she told me she made it when she was 5 or 6 years old!

Nana patiently taught me to knit when I was 7; I spent at least a week with her each summer as a child and we spent our hours knitting, working in the garden, and cooking. She spoiled me for the first several years – correcting all my mistakes and finishing all my projects. Thank goodness she insisted on eventually sharing all of her tricks.

Nana would be awestruck by the endless variety of yarns and patterns available today. I’m sure she felt creatively stifled by the lack of fibers and colors. Worsted wool, cotton, and baby yarns were all that were available to her. Angora was the luxury fiber of the day, but unattainable on her limited budget. How she would laugh at felting! Felting during her lifetime was a big mistake, not a finishing technique.

Here’s to you, Nana. Your creativity and passion has inspired me for over 40 years and with this shop, I hope to inspire and teach others to create beautiful hand knitted works of art. Thank you for your wonderful gifts.