I wasn’t sure whether I should write about this or not, but in the end, I decided I should.
My mother passed away on Friday 9th January.
My mother played a very big part in the lives of everyone in our family! I don’t think I will every come to terms with the loss.
My mother taught me to knit when I was little. I think I was about 8 when I first managed to make something that looked like it should. I think my first knitted item was something for my niece who was born when I was 8.
Over the years, if I found something in a pattern that I didn’t understand, I would phone and ask my mum. I remember, she used to tell me to knit into the back of the knit stitch when doing a band. I now do this every time without thinking about it.
The first few times I attempted to knit a pair of socks in the round and turn the heel, I would throw a tantrum and tell her I couldn’t do it. “Of course you can, you just need to keep trying and you will get there” she would say, and of course she was right!
In the town where I was brought up and my mother lived until the end, most people knew my mum, but there was quite a few people who didn’t know her by name, they knew her as the lady who was always knitting. No matter where she went, whether it was down the town for her shopping or to the Bingo of an evening, she would have her knitting with her. She would go to the cafe before walking home with her shopping and knit a couple of rows while she had a coke or Iron Bru. She would take her knitting out during the half time break at the bingo.
It seemed like she never stopped knitting!
Since Friday, I have been doing nothing but knitting. I feel closer to mum when I am knitting. I have knitted 3 aran hats and half the front of an adult aran jumper. I would be totally lost without my knitting now that I no longer have my mum!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last year and the only thing I can say is that the pain does ease as time goes on. I’m glad you have your knitting to keep you busy.