Tuesday, June 13, 2017

There she is – Orla K., born last Thursday, the day before the funeral. All is well. All of us, youngest to oldest – well, maybe not Juliet, who was there and toddling most engagingly about – will remember fractions of that remarkable weekend – Orla’s birth, and the funeral, and the rather extraordinary result of the General Election.

Here is Matt, facing up to his new responsibilities:



I finally resumed knitting today. On one of his last days in his chair in the sitting room – Perdita has since commandeered it – my husband: what verb to use? I’ll go for “complained” although there are stronger possibilities. OK: My husband complained about my knitting “…on and on and on.” It was a fair comment, but is not a good memory. I wondered if it were that which was paralysing my hands.

What I did was to fish out KD’s “Northmavine Hap”. It was my final purchase that happy day at Jamieson & Smith, on Kristie’s urging. I did a few rows and put it away in a shoebox.

It took me a while today to get back into the swing of things, but I’ve got it now. The pattern is a clever riff on the Shetland shell pattern, in five colours, looking like the lines a retreating tide leaves in the sand. The pattern is a 24-row repeat, and I’m well into the second one. But each repeat adds 72 stitches – it’s one of those. Altogether, there are five and a half repeats. (It’s in Kate’s “Colours of Shetland” book.)

I think I should at least finish this repeat, in the hopes of being able to pick it up again with less difficulty than I had today. You’d have to get down from your galloping horse to spot the misplaced yo’s, I think, but I would rather not introduce any more.

Then I will finish the Polliwog – so close – unless it turns out to be too imbued with death.

Miscellaneous

A new episode from Andrew and Andrea today – she’s still not knitting. I thought the previous episode (No 30) a bit dull but this one is a corker.


What has happened to the Twist Collective? There’s nothing there but the Winter 2016 issue.

42 comments:

  1. Ah - so nice to hear from you Jean. Congratulations on your new great grand-daughter. I'm sure her arrival was very welcome in the midst of preparations for your husband's funeral. She looks very sweet - although, as is the wont of all babies, she won't mind either way about the polliwog. What a momentous week it was last week.

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  2. Good to see you back at your knitting. And congreats on the new family member.

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  3. Kate Gilbert of the Twist Collective announced on their blog a while ago that they were going to skip the Spring edition this year in order to regroup and reorganise.

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  4. Beautiful baby and beautiful blanket. So glad to find this post today and to hear that you have resumed knitting.
    I hope you can keep family close and that Perdita continues to delight.

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  5. So good to hear from you! You and your family have been in my prayers.

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  6. Beautiful baby and shawl. Take care, Jean.

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  7. Anonymous9:41 PM

    Such a lovely baby - and a fabulous shawl indeed!
    Welcome Orla!
    LisaRR

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  8. You make yourself sound like Madame Defarge.

    The blanket is lovely and suits the baby.

    Someday I'd like to knit the Northmavine Hap in grays.

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  9. Anonymous10:10 PM

    So glad you are back, and back to knitting. Both baby and blanket are spectacular!

    If you can't finish the Polliwog, I'm sure someone here would be happy to do so, and to pack it off to that cute baby.

    Why am I not surprised Perdita has taken over the chair of the Head of the Family?

    Beverly in NJ

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  10. Can you think of the Polliwog as "new life"? It looks so practical it would be a shame not to finish it. So glad Orla arrived safely.

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  11. Oh she is lovely under her cobweb of beauty.
    I am sorry you had to be on the reciving end of one of those rants - for that is what Mum and I used to call them. I wondered if it is a kind of jealousy that us knitting ladies have such a soothing and absorbing skill. I hope it helped him feel better to get it off his chest. Please don't let yourself lose the work - it is too much a part of who you are. And when you can adorn a precious new life so beautifully . . .

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  12. Very glad to see your post today and see your beautiful new great grand daughter snuggled under that fabulous blanket. Glad your knitting "mojo" is back as well. Perhaps you could teach Perdita to knit! Or perhaps not.

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  13. It's so good to hear from you again. You and your family have been in my thoughts. Don't take the "rant" to heart. When we don't feel well, and I'm sure your husband didn't, we fixate on trivial things.

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  14. That is a beautiful baby!

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  15. It's so good to read your blog today, and know that you are back knitting. Beautiful photo of sweet Orla and the gorgeous hap!

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  16. Oh my goodness, dear Jean! so wonderful to hear from you. It must be so difficult to keep going, but thank goodness you and your dear H have such lovely children, grands and great grands! As the GMa of 5, I understand how comforting that can be. But being without the one who knows what life was like when.... that just hurts my heart, friend. Cannot imagine your sadness and loneliness. Here's a cyber HUG from me. (((( ))))

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  17. Anonymous2:04 AM

    Such a precious new baby! Congratulation to all.

    My dear mother-in-law made a similar very uncharacteristic comment about my knitting during her final illness. It was then that I realized the cancer that was taking her life was also altering her thought processes and her personality. I suspect your husband's declining health spurred the unpleasant comment as well. Do your best to dismiss it and it will be easier to remember happier times. Knowing that he was a fortunate recipient of much of your knitting should make it easier to dismiss.

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  18. Congratulations on the safe arrival of your newest great grandchild. I love the name Orla, and the blanket is beautiful. I hope as time passes the words spoken by your husband fade, and the memories you have are of the good things you shared together, not the least of which is your wonderful family, I think the Northmavine shawl is the perfect project to work on at the moment, one connected with such wonderful memories.

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  19. So glad to read your words tonight. I have not v pleasant thoughts about your husband for from what you have shared he rather treated you badly - i know that marriages are complicated but it was hard to read how he mistreated you constantly. anyway i know you loved him and are sad that he is gone. my condolences to you . Perdita rules the roost and that was obvious from the start of her reign in your house...so glad you have her now. and your knitting will pull you thru.. onward thru crises...

    oh and ORLA ... life and death in a week. what a time you have had. so glad you have a new baby to love and dote over. as for other news - well i would rather your country's problems than mine! sigh

    remember we are here. we love you and we want to hear from you all the good and the bad!

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  20. Dear Jean,
    Baby and shawl are lovely! I'm happy to hear you're knitting again. I think you husband's comments have more to do with his illness, and should not be taken to heart. As others have written, illness can make us miserable and we're all liable to take our miseries out on those closest.
    Having family close is best for most taxing situations, and how wonderful to have new lives to look forward.
    Thinking of you,
    Erin in PA

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  21. Congrats on your new great grand-daughter! She's a cutie and that blanket is a true heirloom. Glad to hear you're able to pick up your knitting again. I read all the wonderful comments to today's blog. You are well supported. We adore you.

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  22. Anonymous4:21 AM

    I rather wonder if your husband wasn’t jealous that you were still able to knit and his pleasures had faded? I watched my grandmother lose the ability to do what she loved in her last few years, and it took a toll on her personality, as an earlier commentator remarked. Do try to move beyond it, and remember the good, the fun, the love. Not the hurtful one-off. (Yes, easier said than done.)
    All best,
    CKP

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  23. Rebecca in Minnesota4:41 AM

    So glad to have you back, Jean! And with a beautiful new great-granddaughter too. Take care of yourself through all these events.

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  24. Anonymous7:05 AM

    I have no wisdom to offer, but rather want to thank you for so gracefully modeling how to respect your spouse mercifully while being belittled and hurt. Your well of Strength gives me guidance and hope.

    A knitter & devoted reader -40+ years your junior- in Oregon

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  25. Knitters are makers, not everyone can make beautiful things with their hands and it's not surprising these who can't don't understand what it means to us. I would pack your husband's mean comments away with all the rest and look forwards to making many more beautiful objects with pleasure. AS others have said, his illness will have been magnifying his more unpleasant personality traits and it would be a pity if that sort of negativity reached out to cast a shadow over the years of knitting to come. Instead you should think of these tiny new toes poking through lacy holes, what's more positive than that?

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  26. Anonymous8:34 AM

    Shawl is exquisite (and so is baby). To make lovely things by hand, and to get pleasure from the process, is a wonderful way to deal with the ups and downs of life - and those of us who are able to do this are fortunate. Sadly not everyone has this recourse or understands its value.......
    JennyS

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  27. Lovely to hear from you, Jean! Both shawl and baby looking well.
    People's last words often assume a significance they never meant them to have. Seen rightly, he should have been blessing your knitting for keeping you sane while you gave him all those years of care, no matter how grumpy he got.
    But now, the door is open for you... Are you not thinking: Shetland Wool Week?

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  28. Anonymous11:42 AM

    Oh my goodness. I wasn't expecting this yet although I check daily. What a beautiful baby and shawl. What a delicate stitch pattern. Really stunning, Jean. So glad you are going on a cruise. They have a way of wiping out the bad memories and giving one a fresh start. I hope that will be the case for you, Jean. Tell Perdita that's her job now, too, Mmm.... Better not tell her anything. You know how cats are. Chloe

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  29. So wonderful to have you back Jean. I have been checking, like others, at least once a day, sometimes many more!!
    Glad you are knitting again, it's a great stress reliever, to me anyway.
    Hope Perdita is giving lots of lap time but knowing cats, she's probably not!!
    Jenny
    xoxoxo

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  30. So wonderful to have you back Jean. I have been checking, like others, at least once a day, sometimes many more!!
    Glad you are knitting again, it's a great stress reliever, to me anyway.
    Hope Perdita is giving lots of lap time but knowing cats, she's probably not!!
    Jenny
    xoxoxo

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  31. By the way, the blanket is nothing short of amazing! Quite beautiful!

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  32. By the way, the blanket is nothing short of amazing! Quite beautiful!

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  33. Oh, that baby! Gorgeous!
    I'm glad you are knitting. Knit on!

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  34. It made my day to see a new post from you and a photo of the lovely Orla and her blanket! This last year or so has been very difficult for you and you have displayed much selflessness. Now is the time for self-care. Apply the cat as needed, knit whatever you want whenever you want, and enjoy contemplating your cruise. And, as someone has already mentioned, perhaps Shetland Wool Week as well.

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  35. A beautiful shawl and beautiful baby. Orla is a lovely name. Its good to hear your knitting adventures again. I wish you all good things for the future.

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  36. =Tamar5:21 PM

    Lovely hap, almost as lovely as the baby! I'm sure Perdita approved of the catspaw pattern.
    I still use the scarf I was knitting when I lost my husband.

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  37. Orla is gorgeous, congrats to Hellie and Matt
    nice to read you again xxxxxx

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  38. Wonderful to hear from you again, Jean. As others have said, in time you will remember the better times and your husband's last difficult days will hopefully fade. Another beautiful child to grace your clan, well worthy of the hap.

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  39. It's interesting how criticism and ugly words rattle around our brains in such a disproportionate way to happier thoughts. Remember instead his enjoyment of all the sweaters, vests and socks that made him comfortable. The end of life is hard on everyone, especially when it involves a long illness. Bless you and I hope you can take back the joy that has always existed for you.

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  40. Anne C. in Bethesda3:23 AM

    What a nice surprise to find your post. Congratulations on little Orla! I love the picture of Matt--perfect "new father" expression on his face. I hope your knitting soothes you, and that time causes unkind words to fade.

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  41. Anonymous8:19 PM

    Welcome back. The birth of Orla is a lovely antidote to the sorrow of your husband's funeral. I hope all continues to go well for you and your family. Congratulations on the newest family member and Blessings on all of you. - Joe-in Wyoming

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  42. Thank you for continuing on. Please don't take words said in frustration and pain to be reality. I can imagine your knitting was a source of solace and connection to the rest of us. I do believe your dear husband is in a place of light and joy and health! I cannot imagine he would take any pleasure in knowing he had hurt you.
    So, as one old lady to another: I hope you will continue to take pleasure in your knitting and the connections with all of us over the world - of which I am one! - who happily anticipate your blog posts.
    Again, I am most grateful that you have taken time to write to all of us in the midst of what must be a very difficult time for you!
    God's blessings,
    Joan a/k/a fuguestateknits

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