The knitting gene!

[Marie]

Ha ha! Well this is a bit of a funny coincidence, but I'm sure my mother has sent me her knitting gene from the grave......You see, I'm from a family of crafters, my mother had 4 sisters and everyone of them plus my grandmother could knit, or sew, or crochet brilliantly. My mother & nana were like knitting machines, turning out all of our cardigans jumpers etc when we were little. Mam also loved to crochet and made beautiful blankets, doillies, all sorts of intricate things well into her 70s.

My sisters are both good at art and although I love playing at making cards etc, I do struggle with it (just struggle to see a finished product!) and was getting to the point in life when I was thinking I'd just give up trying with craft stuff, other than the occasional card and maybe trying my hand at scrapbooking when I've time. I can knit and crochet and sew, but never really loved it.

Anyway, Mam died at the beginning of September last year. And here's the spooky bit. Ever since she died, I had this sudden urge to knit. Every night when I sat down to watch telly, my arms suddenly felt very empty and I was desperate to get some knitting needles in them and do some knitting. So I went to the wool shop in Leeds market, bought some cheap and cheerful wool and some needles, downloaded a couple of free patterns from the internet and now I can't get enough of it!

So you see, when Mam died, I kept asking my Dad (who died in 1998) to send me a message to let me know that Mam had arrived with him safely. Superstitious and silly I know, but it was a comforting thought that she was with him. And I was just wondering the other day where this sudden urge to knit had come from. And last night, it just hit me, maybe Mam had passed on the knitting gene from the other side!

Well, I don't know if that's true, but as I'm 51 and have never wanted to knit in my life and even threw out my few knitting needles etc when I moved house, I can't help thinking that my mother is sitting up in heaven, with my Dad, laughing at me knitting after all these years. I'm absolutely addicted to it!

You really have to laugh at life, don't you?:thinking:

[kitten_with_claws]

Not superstitious or silly at all Marie & as nobody can actually disprove it, one must assume it is at least one possible explanation! lol
Either way, how lovely that your mum has (eventually! lol) passed on her love of knittting to you & that you now get the same pleasure from it that she did!
You keep those needles clicking away Marie, you can't stop now.....! :cool2:

[Rentochops]

Not superstitious or silly at all Marie & as nobody can actually disprove it, one must assume it is at least one possible explanation! lol
Either way, how lovely that your mum has (eventually! lol) passed on her love of knittting to you & that you now get the same pleasure from it that she did!
You keep those needles clicking away Marie, you can't stop now.....! :cool2:

It's also therapy really, probably makes you feel the comfort your Mum gave you - very good and bonus you can make lots of lovely things, I expect you'll need a few scarves and hats in Leeds today! xxx

[JanTheNan]

That's a lovely story, enjoy your knitting.

I used to be a fanatical knitter, at work in down times, on the train commuting.

My Mum is fortunately still with us, she's 82 today but she can no longer knit, I recall my Nan taught me.

[Rentochops]

That's a lovely story, enjoy your knitting.

I used to be a fanatical knitter, at work in down times, on the train commuting.

My Mum is fortunately still with us, she's 82 today but she can no longer knit, I recall my Nan taught me.

My Mum taught me to knit, but I never got past the Doctor Who scarf, I'm not very patient, saying that I like to cross stitch..so I must be! She's in her 70's but doesn't knit anymore - she's lost interest in crafty things and does crosswords now!

[alwayscrafting]

A lovely story.........and who knows it's a lovely thought and it is helping you with the loss of your mum.
I lost my mum 3 years ago, and i'm sure that i must have her, and my nan (a terrific sewer, that could make anything without a pattern!) and my gran, an ardent crochet, embroderer (?sp) in fits of laughter.........there must be a gene...........or I'm sure I wouldn't have this stash, of craft stuff! and the urge to go in every craft shop, to look and feel and buy, yarns, material. etc etc etc!!

[essdeecee]

This is such a lovely story Marie and echoes the handing down of the crafting gene - particularly knitting - in my own maternal line too. I am so pleased you have found this passion as it is a harmless and productive addiction.

You know the situation with my own Mum - well, she recently knitted and sent me 2 pairs of the most wonderfully comfy and warm bed socks. They are the scrunchy ankles kind, so useful by day at home too. I thanked her along the lines of 'thank you for making me a crafter while still in the womb'. Despite all our odds, I was able to give back to her and realised it cost me nothing to be respond warmly to such an act of mother love. I don't think we will ever be close but we can acknowledge the mother-daughter bond in ways that have meaning and love woven into them.

I do believe that the message of assurance HAS come to you this way. The acceptance is in the heart of the beholder, after all. Bless you Marie.

[suban]

You've set me thinking Marie!!!! I've lways been allergic to a needle and thread - apart from Cross-stitch and Tapestry. But since Mam's stroke 7 years ago I think my Gran's been sending me vibes from the other side. I've now got a pair of handstitched (no sewing machine involved!) curtains in the kitchen and now actually have the urge to get the sewing machine out and give it a go - last used (or rather abused) a sewing machine 39 years ago!

[Millburn]

that is a lovely thought Marie :D:

My Dad was the crocheter, my Mum a knitter, I can't knit for toffee, I didn't even get to knit a decent scarf, but I can get industrial knitting m/cs to sing :D I'm a sewer and embroiderer,

[craftycat]

Not superstious at all. I think it is lovely that you have been able to connect with your mum from the other side like that.

I'm a very strong believer in the power of spirits and the ability of those who have passed on to connect with those they love.

[Purplepig]

What a lovely ... and useful ... message your parents have sent you Marie!

Keep clicking! :sun::sun::sun:

[Rentochops]

Not superstious at all. I think it is lovely that you have been able to connect with your mum from the other side like that.

I'm a very strong believer in the power of spirits and the ability of those who have passed on to connect with those they love.

I would like to believe that too CC maybe one day it will happen for me.

[Marie]

Thanks for all these lovely replies - actually the reason I wrote the post was that I thought that it's about time we started some proper chat on this knitting section as the craft is having a resurgance of popularity and I thought it would be good to see what people are knitting etc. I'm interested in learning about different wool/yarns etc and finding out good places to get good stuff at low prices!

This week I bought Claire Compton's "knitted throws & cushions" which was on IW (got the book from Amazon - much cheaper) it has some fab modern, beautiful coloured designs including a gorgeous blanket which I'm going to knit once I've found some wool that i like. In the meantime, I've 2 cardies on the go (sounds a lot but I've been doing them since November, one almost finished) plus I've some gorgeous wool to make a couple of the cushions in the book. I'm looking at various crochet books so that I can find a crochet project to have on the go as well.

So much knitting, so little time, ha ha! :grin:

[suban]

I came across a book I'd bought while sorting out my stash and it has designs and ideas for every decade since 1890 - including bed covers, bolsters and mats knitted from carrier bags.

I'd be happy to share what little knowledge I've gained over the years, like yarns and plys. Also patterns etc. Hoping I haven't lost 2 old Paton and Baldwin pattern books that were hand-me-downs - they were brilliant. Had patterns for when babies were babies not 2 week olds in jeans! Luckily no patterns for knitted swimming costumes! ;)

[Marie]

I came across a book I'd bought while sorting out my stash and it has designs and ideas for every decade since 1890 - including bed covers, bolsters and mats knitted from carrier bags.

I'd be happy to share what little knowledge I've gained over the years, like yarns and plys. Also patterns etc. Hoping I haven't lost 2 old Paton and Baldwin pattern books that were hand-me-downs - they were brilliant. Had patterns for when babies were babies not 2 week olds in jeans! Luckily no patterns for knitted swimming costumes! ;)

Oh knitted swimming costumes, makes you laugh thinking about it!

One thing I always get confused about is aran. Sometimes I see it referring to the style of knitting, other times it seems to refer to the type of wool which is normally thicker than double knitting. Which is right, or are they both right?

[jenty]

Both right, I would say Marie. You can buy Aran wool and knit Aran patterns. My mum made me a super Arun cardy when I was younger.

[suban]

I have several aran patterns, I get bored with plain stocking stitch so Aran is great for me.

Aran wool is midway between DK and Chunky. It is often knitted on the same size needles as DK or on the next size up.

[alwayscrafting]

I have a jumper almost finished, a graduation rabbit that is to be taken to the states almost finished.......I have rekindled my interest in broomstick knitting so playing with that (first tried that in the 70's) i know i have a really big needle somewhere but can't seem to find it..........it's big so it really should be findable :mysmilie_506: and if that's not enough I'm teaching myself tunisian crochet and i bought a knitting loom!

Then I wonder why my papercraft stash isn't going down!

[Marie]

I have a jumper almost finished, a graduation rabbit that is to be taken to the states almost finished.......I have rekindled my interest in broomstick knitting so playing with that (first tried that in the 70's) i know i have a really big needle somewhere but can't seem to find it..........it's big so it really should be findable :mysmilie_506: and if that's not enough I'm teaching myself tunisian crochet and i bought a knitting loom!

Then I wonder why my papercraft stash isn't going down!

That's the problem, so much craft to do and never enough time!!!

Hope you find your big needle soon!

[Alice3_2009]

No, I don't think it's silly either.

My Mum was a big knitter too. I can remember her blaming her migraines on those knitted picture zip up cardis, but I now think it was menopausal. I have her little knitting needle bag with needles, and can still smell her.

You made me think of her sitting knitting, and how, when fast music came on the tv, her needles would move much faster. She's been gone twenty-five years now.

[suban]

I love Tunisian crochet!

Alice - I laughed about the speed of knitting depending on the speed of music. Mam and I both have the same habit - we speed up as we get to the end of a ball of yarn - so we can finish a row before the yarn runs out - sheer madness when you think about it!

[craftycat]

I love Tunisian crochet!

Alice - I laughed about the speed of knitting depending on the speed of music. Mam and I both have the same habit - we speed up as we get to the end of a ball of yarn - so we can finish a row before the yarn runs out - sheer madness when you think about it!

Glad I'm not the only one with weird knitting habits Suban! I do exactly the same things.

[fabyon]

Just caught this thread now, Marie. How wonderful that you have your mum knitting 'influence' and the peaceful reassurance, she's ok on the other side. Keep knitting ! X

[Marie]

No, I don't think it's silly either.

My Mum was a big knitter too. I can remember her blaming her migraines on those knitted picture zip up cardis, but I now think it was menopausal. I have her little knitting needle bag with needles, and can still smell her.

You made me think of her sitting knitting, and how, when fast music came on the tv, her needles would move much faster. She's been gone twenty-five years now.

I think it's lovely that you have her needles - that really is passing the craft down through the generations. Sadly all of my mother's crafting things were thrown out over the years, but I still have some lovely embroidery threads she gave me as a Christmas present years ago and I'll always treasure them.

[suban]

Don't just treasure them - use them to make something else you'll treasure! - The voice of bitter experience!