I've been here the last couple days, reading all your needlework memories. I think I'll add some of my own.
First introduction was embroidery with expert techniques from my aunt Lydia, the aunt with all the county fair blue ribbons. Great teacher, doncha' think. I started at 5 she and my mom told me. When she passed I went to her funeral in Colorado hoping to gain a treasured work of hers. Nothing, nothing at all left cuz she had been donating to church bizarres, etc. What I found and still treasure is all the blue ribbons in a large jar.
In college I met Maribeth, the knitter. Between class sessions there could be even an hour or more down time. You can only watch so long before the bug gets to you. The result was rite of passing of the goodies to the family: afghan for bridal/wedding showers, first baby shower, new house warming. I still have the first afghan I made for myself. Two special memories: when my first husband bolted he loaded up a trailer while I was a work. One of the things he took was the afghan his grandma made for us (she was a crochet wiz). Words were not pleasant tween her and her daughter (MIL) when she made me my own as a replacement. More recent happy day was when there was a shower for Ton's to be great grandson. Family members
ordained that because they were here for the shower and birth (they both work and live Turkey, still do) directions said euros and gift certificates would be in order. Oh yeah, sure, I always do as told. What was really special was the squeal, smile, and tears when she opened the box with the afghan. Made it white with dotted pastels. After delivery and flight home she sent a pic of Orion (?) wrapped in his afghan and in the plane bassinet.
One more knit story is the comments I frequently receive at the vet's. ChiChi was a real pain in the Ash when I knitted. The clicking of the needles and dangling yarn too much temptation. When I finished a project my next one was a smaller soft, blue, cat-sized afghan just for the Chi. He would not let Puff (the cat) near it. I used it too to comfort them when going to the vet, put it in the carrier. Vet and staff seemed to think I spoiled them.
Then.....there are the needle works (crossstitch, needlepoint, etc., but never paint embroidery or weaving loom). I liked to make and frame something special, along with the shower gift from registry just as a special token to hang or display (usually did birth date or wedding date for instance).
Now, so sad, I don't do a damn thing. Can't make my hands join in on the projects.
I don't like this at all.
P
