Of Gathering & Stories

There is something about families gathering that often brings about storytelling. Stories begin to flow about holidays past, or childhood events. The pater and mater familias will reminisce about when the kids were little, or siblings will recount hilarious mishaps perpetrated on one another or on neighbors. Such is often the conversation around the Edwards’ family table when we gather.

But, for me, stories begin before they have even arrived. Memories flow as I’m setting the table. This year, we needed two “church tables” end to end to accommodate the “adult table” alone. I decided not to purchase matching tablecloths, but rather to use two similar ones I already had…and the reminiscing began. One tablecloth I’ve had since the summer after my sophomore year in college when I traveled to Ivory Coast, West Africa. During the six weeks I was there, a missionary gave me a beautiful tablecloth hand-painted by a talented native of Cote d’Ivoire. Spreading the cloth brought back all manner of sights, sounds, smells, and things learned on that memorable trip. The next cloth I laid down was made when I was newly married. I cross-stitched the cloth using colors to match the Desert Rose stoneware I had gotten as my “china”. I remember wondering how the cloth would hold up as the years wore on…some twenty-or-so years later (and many washings and dryings), it is still looking almost new.

And then the Desert Rose. These dishes grow more precious with each passing year. I’m transported back to the tiniest of kitchens where my grandmother Catherine, seemingly effortlessly, set a table and feast fit for a king. I remember Thanksgivings, Christmases, and other times eating off of these dishes overflowing with delicious food, always topped off by her famous pecan pie (pronounced PEEcan pie, emphasis on the first syllable). The conversation was interrupted multiple times as my dad and his brother would ask their mama to come sit down and eat, but to no avail. She was, it seemed, happy to eat while hovering over our needs… bringing drink or whatever was running low. There’s more on this from a previous blog about these dishes here.

But the stories continued about these dishes as my in-laws arrived for Thanksgiving Day this year. My father-in-law’s parents had the “Apple” version of Franciscan ware. His aunt had the Desert Rose. His own memories flood in upon seeing the table. That is one of the wonderful things about Thanksgiving…the connections and ties to all the generations of families and family gatherings. It brings an ache that is both melancholy and joyful.

“Happy Birthday…er…Thanksgiving!”

Oh how I loved watching Frosty the Snowman when I was little. Of course, I hated it when he melted, but then he came back and it all ended happy. It’s been so much fun to enjoy it with my children every year. Even my teens still love watching it, and the 7 year old…well, she curls up on the couch holding Snowy Frostman, and gets lost in the magic. ^sigh^ to be a child again! Snowy Frostman has to have his little buddies with him in her lap…somehow, to my youngest, the big snowman becomes “the mom” and the small ones are her children. How cute is that!

Well, it won’t be long before we’ll be seeing the Frosty cartoon on TV several times. It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving Day! Where did November go? My heartfelt wish to you all is that this day finds you truly thankful, even if circumstances are less than perfect. We really do have much to be thankful for. Sometimes it is in the midst of lack, that we realize just how rich we are.

P.S. My Thanksgiving gift to you: Mini Frostman is downloadable for free! Enjoy!

Simply Rectangles

If you can knit a scarf, you can knit almost anything! I mentioned this last week, and I want to begin to show you how this is true. So many things, both knitted & crocheted, are actually glorified scarves. By that I mean, they are simply rectangles that have been draped over shoulders, added to other rectangles to make sweaters and vests, or folded into purses or shrugs. Genevieve is sporting a couple of examples of this. The above drawing is Origami Shrug, my latest design now on the website for purchasing the pattern. Seriously, it’s just a rectangle! It’ll make you giggle as you see how the folding happens, and how the simplest of embellishments (garter rows & ribbon) turn this rectangle into a piece of wearable art. This next drawing is of Dreamy Shawl. Most shawls are truly glorified scarves…rectangles endowed with lovely stitches, embellishments, or in this case, COLOR and TEXTURE. You can really let your inner artist bloom when you knit this shawl.

When I teach knitting & crocheting, I aim for students to understand “concepts” even more than being able to “read instructions”. When you understand the concept behind a piece of knitting or crocheting, you are empowered to really be successful in making it AND to go beyond the instructions and “make it your own”. This is my hope for you if you wish to knit these projects. My patterns certainly give you the “instructions” you need, but go a step further in helping you understand the “concept” behind each piece AND to give you some ideas for Variations on the Theme.

I often think this is true in life as well. It’s so easy for me to get bogged down in “do the list” living…just following the directions. But when I look up, open my eyes, see the lovely forest (not all the individual trees), and peek behind the veil so-to-speak, I begin to see the beauty in it all, the overarching concept behind my life and the lives of others around me. Taking time to consider the beauty, instead of blindly moving through the “musts” in my day, allows for larger living, a more grateful heart, and a little extra spring in my step.

Friends

The thing I love the most about the knit & crochet world is…Friends! I have been privileged to be able to teach knitting and crochet classes at Knit One Smock Too over the last couple of years, and I have met SO many wonderful people! These are just a few of them.

I think it was almost two years ago this coming January that I taught a beginning knitting class where everyone in the class seemed to be fast friends by the end of the four weeks. Ellen, on the right, is an oh, so multi-talented gal who has become a dear friend and also my trusty pattern editor. Bobbie, in the middle, is an unbelievably intelligent and giving woman who is a treasure to be around. Elaine, on the left, is an incredible business woman and avid knitter whose smile and laugh brightens any room. Pat and Tracy are missing from this funky sketch, but are amazing gals as well and whom I count as wonderful friends along with the others. The drawing is from a day last spring when we met for lunch at Simply Yummy in Reynolda Village. Pat was there, though not in the drawing, and Tracy was unable to join us, but we enjoyed catching up over tasty food on a lovely, sunny day. We have enjoyed going to plays together, eating out, and getting together at each other’s homes for meals and coffee & treats (thanks Pat and Ellen:)

This group of 5 (6 including me:) is just a small representation of the kind of people I have met and been able to get to know…there is Trish, Nancy, Nita, Lisa, Karla, Linda, Elizabeth, Dayne, Judy, Randi, Debbie, Barb, Marion and many others. I have been an artist for about 12 years now, and I have discovered more “fast friends” in the yarn world than in any other. By “fast” I do not mean “quick”, but rather, an immediate connection, or common ground in our love for fiber and making things with it. Perhaps as we knit and crochet, we are stitching our lives together in a way unique to “yarnies”. I feel blessed to have met so many and look forward to all I will meet in future.

Scarf Weather

Lately, we’ve been having scarf weather! I love it when it’s cool enough to wear a scarf around my neck. As the season continues, I move from wearing the light and airy scarves to thicker, woolier scarves. What is it about this long rectangle of color and softness that we wrap around our necks? I’m not convinced it is merely for warmth. There’s a decorative factor there as well. I have a friend who travels to France often and she says French women are rarely without a scarf…vive le foulard! I think I would love life in France:)

I’m pretty sure the number one gift to give and to make at Christmas is THE SCARF. Have you noticed that? It also happens to be, typically, the first project a new knitter or crocheter tackles; and he/she usually succeeds. There are SO many knit & crochet patterns for scarves…one could spend one’s entire yarn career making nothing but scarves, and probably still not make all the patterns that are out there. And so I add to the throng, a Simply Woven Scarf. At least, it looks woven with the lovely v-stitches. I’ve made several of these for gifts and for myself, long ones, short ones, medium ones, out of fine yarns, thick yarns, textured yarns, smooth yarns. The pattern allows for SO MANY variations, it is really like getting lots of patterns in one.

I’ve had so many people tell me that the only thing they can knit or crochet is a scarf. To this I answer,”If you can knit/crochet a scarf, you can make almost anything!” My next posts will show you what I mean.

Beauty Right Around the Corner

About a year ago, I decided to make some small sketches of a beautiful spot at the top of our neighborhood.  Wyndfall was built on land neighboring a farm owned by Mr. Leo Whicker.  I assumed that Wyndfall was built on what used to be his land, but I came to find out, through wonderful serendipitous events, that my neighborhood actually sits on Smith land.  The Smiths and the Whickers have long been friends and landowners here in Kernersville.  From these sketches and some photographs, I made a charcoal drawing of his barn and house; and in the process was able to meet him, get to know him and the history of his land and of this part of the town I live in.  I LOVE this kind of stuff: learning about the history of land and how it changed hands over the years, and meeting such wonderful people as Mr. Whicker and Mrs. Gail  Smith Love, from whom I’ve learned much of the history of “these parts”.  Some day, I will post a much longer segment about this area and its people, featuring these two grand folks who have lived here in Kernersville all their lives.  For now, i’m tickled pink that this drawing will hang in Mr. Whicker’s home.  My next, self-imposed assignment is to make a charcoal portrait of him…you will not believe how youthful and full of mirth this 82 year old gentleman is.  He is a delight to talk to and a wealth of information and history.  He AND his land are beauties that exist right around the corner from my house.  How fortunate am I!

Infusing the Ordinary with Beauty

The humble granny square is probably the most ordinary, common, and well known motif in all of the crochet world.  Even non-crocheters recognize this stitch pattern.  I’ve had a few students come to a beginning crochet class JUST because they want to learn how to make “the granny square”.  It’s a great way to begin your crochet skills, and even after you’ve been crocheting for a while, there’s something comforting about returning this common, ordinary motif.  With an artful eye, however, one can transform this ordinary stitch pattern into a feast for the eyes.

In my last post, I promised to bring you another idea for keeping the holiday hound at bay, for using what you have, to make gift giving a joy this year.  My FREE! Colorful Granny Throw pattern will lead you step-by-step, through this humble motif, and even give you tips for combining colors and yarns of different weights to create something of rich beauty.  These throws (you can make ANY size imaginable!) work up quickly…perfect for making a few as gifts, and maybe even one for yourself.  If you use up your stash, then all the better, since you are making room in your house for all the Christmas “stuff” that gets hauled in (tree, trimmings, gifts, etc.) or for more yarn…perhaps all that yarn Santa will be bringing you:)

We have lots of crocheted throws around our house.  Some I have made, some that my husband’s grandfather made, and a knitted afghan my mom made.  Our family loves these warm, curl-ups pretty-much year round.  I have a knitter/crocheter friend who believes that hand-made afghans have healing powers.  I don’t know any medical statistics on this, but they definitely make you feel better when you’re sick, cold, or just wanting to be comfy and cozy.  I think quilters also enjoy this about the quilts they make for themselves and for friends…tangible love, warmth, and beauty all in one.

And did I say, this is a FREE pattern!  Please download and enjoy it this season!  You’ll be able to see how I’m writing these patterns…tons of helps for you to make your knitting/crocheting adventure successful from beginning to end!

Everything but the Kitchen Sink…

The hound of the holidays is already nipping at my heels.  You’re probably familiar with this…the voice that says, “You gotta get ready! Start buying! Start making! Start preparing!”  And as November flies by, the voice gets louder and louder, especially if I haven’t paid much attention to the hounding voice.  Every year I say, I’m going to start earlier!  Every year I say, I’m going to simplify!  And every year it ends up feeling like a mad dash to the finish line!  Yet every year, in the midst of the dashing, there are moments of sweetness: baking with my children, enjoying family and friends, and of course, creating gifts for certain people on the list.

Much of the time, when I set about to make a few gifts, this is how things go:

I look around me at what I have.  Paper, paints, yarn galore, fabric, buttons, etc.  And that sets my mind to wonder, “What can I make from all this?”

Last year, I kept peering into a huge stash of leftover yarns.  There they were…the “castoffs”, left over from other yarn projects, or the single ball of yarn that caught my eye on a sale table, or yarns that had been given to me from others who no longer wanted to store their stash.  I SO wanted to USE it!  Not give it away or throw it away.  Hmmm…

So I began putting colors together and came up with this wonderful bag that uses every color in the rainbow.  Genevieve is sporting the large one I’ve kept for myself.  You can see more photos of this one here.  I made them in all different sizes, with whatever yarns I had on hand.  The photo to the left is a small one, also made with multiple leftovers, though the bag can be made with just one yarn.  I line them all with fabric, to give the bag a finished look and to keep it from stretching too much. And of course, a hand-painted card completes the gift!

I’ve created a pattern that allows you to make ANY size bag you’d like.  My hope is that you’ll enjoy getting miles of fun out of just ONE pattern!  So many options, so many to make and give for friends and family members.  I’d love for you to share them with me, if you make one or more!

My next post will share with you another idea for using up what you have.  Repurposing what was once used for something else is a fantastic way to ward off the hound of the holidays!  I’d also love to hear how YOU deal with that ole hound!

Genevieve and her Dreamy Poncho

Meet Genevieve! My trusty dress form who allows me to drape all kinds of apparel, both in progress and finished, over her shoulders, around her neck and waist. She doesn’t seem to mind. She was a birthday gift a few years ago from my husband. My mom asked if she was the grownup version of the dolls I made and played with for years as a child. Yep! Here she’s dressed in Dreamy Poncho, a design of my own. If you knit, you can find the pattern here in my new online pattern shop. This knitted poncho is so much fun because of all the color choices you can make. Picking and combining skeins of yarn is, for me, the most exciting part of beginning a new yarn project. For some, it may seem a bit daunting. But never fear! For those who are skittish when it comes to choosing yarn colors and textures, I have a free article for you to download. The poncho can be worn a couple of ways, and knitted with or without the collar.

Recently, Genevieve has been alternating between wearing a knitted shrug and a knitted wrap…two designs I plan to have out in the next week or so. She has also enjoyed getting outside in the beautiful fall weather and enjoying being amongst the lovely colors, which I fear may not be around too much longer. I’m glad we have yarn and paint to continue the color feast, even in the months of evergreens and bare trees.

Cupcake Mania!

The first cupcake design I created was for a gift…to be given to a dear friend on her birthday last spring.  This friend is now my trusty pattern tester and all-around huge-help in the creating of my new online pattern shop.  Ellen is a fantastic person, knitter, crocheter, lawyer, baker, friend, and wife to Steve.  At the time I gave her this cupcake, I had no idea that the other gals in my crochet workshop at LYS, Knit One Smock Too, would like it so much.  Due to their encouragement, I typed up the crochet pattern and taught them the ins and outs of making one of these fun cupcakes.

I had seen other cupcakes around…knitted ones, crocheted ones, but had not seen one with a candle, nor using multiple yarns for icing.  I spent a whole week making one cupcake after the other using all different textures and colors of yarns for the icing.  I loved making different sizes and coordinating the candle with the rest of the cupcake!  The knitted candle worked out perfectly, but my pattern also offers a crocheted version for those who want to crochet it. I’ve now given a cupcake to numerous friends on their birthdays and to a few children.  The adults seem to like it as well as the kids do, so it really doesn’t matter what age we are–we all love to be celebrated!

The most happy part about being an artist/crafter is GIVING.  It is so gratifying to give something one has made.  Every stitch, or stroke of the brush, has bound up in it a good measure of thoughts and wishes for the recipient. Affection, friendship, and kindness (lofty and ethereal concepts) get translated into something concrete and tangible.  That’s what it’s all about: letting someone know we think of them and celebrate them!