My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 11. The skill lay dormant in me for many years, but finally resurfaced when I had a tiny person to knit for. Grandma Wynne is not doing so well these days, a result of being 88. She lives in a nursing home and lately she doesn’t always recognize people. I want to make her this as a symbol of the influence she has had on me. She may not recognize its significance but I hope it brings her some joy anyway.

22.06.2011 - I am starting off by making part of a practice one in a thicker yarn, to learn the pattern. I think I will try adding some kind of pretty edging, maybe in crochet, if I have time. Need to get this done and sent ASAP.

23.06.2011 - Trying to find the right yarn was interesting. I finally settled on an ull/polyamid blend that says it can be machine washed. Its quite fluffy/furry and it isn’t quite what I envisioned originally, but sometimes practicality must win. Cant have hand-wash things in a nursing home, unfortunately.

02.07.2011 - Knitting nearly done (running out of yarn). Had to rip out an entire row due to a dropped stitch I missed seeing. I tried using a crochet hook to go back and just fix the spot, but I either didnt do it right or there just wasnt enough tension in the piece for it to survive messing with it. My attempt at fixing it left a gaping vertical hole :/ Good incentive to be more careful!

12.08.2011 - Finished and sent the shawl, though it didnt arrive until a few days AFTER her 88th birthday! Oh well. My Uncle Rich says she loved it and was very happy to know that I remembered her teaching me to knit when I was little.

I hope she gets a lot of use out of it!