I’m working on a more sustained post — about how I’m feeling about our “new” home two-and-a-half years into the move — but for a quick Monday greeting, I offer you this little portrait I painted a week or two ago of the Six. Seemed only fair that I tried sketching her after she’d captured me so endearingly on paper.
As the scrawled text says, I sketched this from a photo — the hat H is wearing is one that the Ten and I knit together over way too many months.
Knitters might be interested in the following; non-knitters may wish to skip! But if you’re teaching someone to knit, especially if that someone is 8 or 10-ish, this is a useful approach for someone who can make fairly reliable knit stitches, but isn’t yet ready to purl.
I cast on and did the ribbing for Purl Soho’s Classic Cuffed Hat and Ten knit many rows of the stocking stitch (on circular needles, as she doesn’t yet know how to purl). I will admit that I was thrilled to see her knit 5 or 6 rows at a go for the first few visits after we started the project, and then resigned that she could only be cajoled into one or two the next visit or two, and than somewhat disappointed — but determined not to cajole/nag anymore — when she preferred to read or draw or build something the visits after that. When enough weeks had gone by that it was clear she wasn’t going to knit anymore voluntarily, I knit enough rows to bring it to the necessary length and then I knit the decreases, which I’d always said I’d do anyway, although I would have liked to show her how they worked. And I’d hoped she would have made the pom-pom, because I know she can and she likes to. But it’s still a hat that she knit a good portion of, and she’s really pleased with that.
I probably pushed my own kids more to complete a project in which they’d lost interest, but it doesn’t seem a wise approach for a Nana, and I reminded myself that my goal was to show her that knitting is fun and that it’s something she can do. If she wants. And I’ll probably be around when she remembers that and decides she wants to try again. . . Or not. If not, I’d much rather she remembers fondly the times that we knit together.
And that’s it for this blogpost on this Monday morning, a beautifully sunny, crisp January day in Vancouver. . . I think I’m finally getting some traction on a schedule that works for my various endeavours and responsibilities and adventures and play — What about you?
She might grab onto it later. Knitting is becoming one of those cool hobbies among the young. Or she might prefer sketching.
Yes, those are both possibilities. . . I'll be patient (I can try 😉
I love this sketch! My favorite so far. What a lovely way to open up possibilities for "10". That's what being a Grandma is all about.
Thank you! I think it's my favourite as well 😉
Sweet!
And a lovely and wise learning to knit approach
Dottoressa
Thanks, K!
I think your approach is good, and she may come back to it, either sooner or later. I remember being forced to finish things and hating knitting, at least until I was an adult and had good reasons for wanting to knit. I think pleasant memories are a good thing, as is a new hat.
Thanks for the validation. New hats and pleasant memories — good things both 😉
I love that sketch. And, as one who cannot do or at least cannot enjoy small-motor activities, I can only nod at no knitting. Your little one may however completely change her mind!
Time well tell, right?
I hosted a knitting club at one of the schools where I worked…it was a challenge trying to teach the elementary level students! Many were successful, but the majority got frustrated and quit! My grandmother taught me when I was about 9 years old and she was extrememly patient and her encouragment spurred me on…I started with garter stitch scarves and blankets and as I gained confidence I learned to purl…I remember knitting my cousin a baby layette set…it had a few mistakes but I was very happy to have gifted it to her.
You are wise to keep the lessons relaxed…the hat is lovely.
So interesting to hear how and at what age different knitters learned — and who taught them. How cool that you knit your cousin a baby layette — that must have felt very gratifying.
I love the sketch and the hat. Six is adorable! I'm thinking of the legacy and treasure trove of memories you're creating for your grandchildren. In my 66th years, and I'm still talking and reminiscing about my great-grandmother, and grandmothers. I like your approach to letting Six decides when to pick up knitting again. `Amelia
Lucky you to have known your great-grandmother (as our oldest g-daughter did for a few years). Interesting to contemplate what they might remember about me. . .
I enjoyed the story of the blue hat. As knitting is supposed to be something you do for pleasure, I do not think that insisting on finishing the project would have helped in any way.
As a young girl I hated all types of needlework. Being left-handed, the instructions we were given at school did not help me at all, and the results of my efforts never satisfied neither me nor my teachers. It was only much later, in my early twenties, when I took up knitting again. I launched myself into making two identical Aran sweaters for my then sweetheart and myself, quite an ambitious project. As I had chosen rather small needles, the sweaters ended up resembling a medieval knight's armours, but they were worn, the ban was broken, and from then on I never stopped knitting.
Wow! One Aran sweater is an ambitious project — and two?!! I hope he appreciated that effort — do you still have your sweater?
No, I gave it away at some moment, because over time I have become more sensitive to scratchy wool. But the other one was appreciated and worn a lot – there are still some photos around to proove it ;).
My grandmother taught me to knit when I was about thirteen. Every Sunday when she came for dinner we inspected my progress. I was knitting mittens and in a burst of exuberance one week, knit and knit on the cuff. My mum kept saying: "don't go too far, don't forget that Grammy has to show you how to start the thumb." I know, I know, (I knew everything back then!) I'm measuring. Turned out that I thought the thumb began, well, at the thumb. Ha. Grammy laughed so hard, I'd have had a pair of elbow mitts if we started the thumb where I assumed we would… and we had to unravel.
Love your sketch of Harriet. The colour of her red hair with the blue hat is beautiful.
P.S. Love that she's named Harriet.
Ha!! That's a cute anecdote. (Do you remember how sure we were that we knew everything?! Oh, for just a smidgen of that confidence now!)
and p.s. I love her name as well. The plan was for her to be called Hattie as a nickname, but so far it's really not taking. . .
Lovely sketch, it’s very good. You are a wise grandma and fun too! I never learned how to knit, just sewing and crochet. Sometimes I think I might take it up but I’m leaning more towards embroidery.
Do you ever do any of that Japanese mending that you tried a few years ago? I think that might be interesting.
Suz from Vancouver
I've done a bit more of the sashiko stitching (the Japanese mending) but not so much — I guess they just make jeans too sturdy these days 😉
I've seen some beautiful examples of it used in quilts, not necessarily of mended materials. Look at some of A Threaded Needle's feed on Instagram — some gorgeous stuff!
What a lovely idea to share the task of hat making. I’m sure it won’t be long before she joins in again with another project. A scarf maybe to go with the hat. Or maybe socks that you could share with frequently changing colour wool. I’m sure she’d love to see how the stripes form. B x
I love this idea of having her knit a row or two of self-striping socks. I knit mine on double-points, but it might be fun for her to see how manageable those are now that she's used to circular needles. Thanks for the idea!
I knit socks on circular needles and find it much easier than using double-points.
You are a cool Grandmother! That sketch is fabulous, and the start of a gallery wall of painting of your grandchildren. Do frame it.
Ali
Aw thank you! I hope they might think so 😉 And I probably should work towards a gallery way of framed sketches of them all. Good idea!
I enjoy seeing your knitting projects. Perhaps she will pursue it again in later years. In high school Woodwards offered free knitting classes – a sweater. I went. we had to practice at home and bring the sample back each week. the instructor was perplexed with mine – turns out I was according to her knitting inside out. She got me back on track. I've only made scarves. Enjoyed crocheting lots of afghans. Your sweaters at times tempt me to pursue knitting again.