Knitted Memories

One of my favorite things to do while I knit a sweater for myself is to plan what I'll wear it with when it's done. So, while I was sewing the collar on my latest project, I started to plan . . . and then it hit me. I realized that I have a strong tendency to knit a sweater, wear it once . . . maybe twice . . . and then it goes into the closet where it's forgotten.

I decided it was time to clean out the hand-knits in my closet. I reached in and pulled out the two closest piles. (Yes, I am a little embarrassed to admit that there is more. Much more.)




I hardly ever wear this vest anymore. A favorite library patron gave me the pattern . . . and she has since passed away. I remember the day I bought the yarn. I went to Worcester with my husband and father-in-law. Since my sister lives in Worcester, I hung out with her while my husband and father-in-law went to a Holy Cross football game. She took me to the nicest shop in Tatnick Square where I wandered around and fell in love with this linen-cotton blend. Then we went back to her house and drank wine until the game was over. It was such a nice day. I better keep the vest.



Again, another vest I hardly ever wear anymore. But this was my first feeble attempt at weaving something wearable. Pat, from the Monday Night Knitting Group, invited me to her home and gave me a little weaving lesson. She was so patient with me . . . and I thought it was so generous of her to give up her morning for me. I think there may have been coffee and muffins involved. I better keep this vest too.




Then I came upon this scarf. My husband took me to the Stitches convention when it was in Hartford a few years ago. It came as a kit. The hand dyed half gets woven through the knitted half. I did wear it a lot for a while . . . not so much now. It could probably go . . . at least the knitted part . . . I never wear it together any more. It was such a nice weekend away though . . .we went out to dinner . . . I think I'll keep the scarf.

Another weekend my husband and I went to a West Point football game. On the way out we stopped in Northampton. We walked all around the town . . .  had coffee at a little sidewalk cafe . . . and of course went into WEBS. While I was shopping I picked up the yarn for this top.


Should I keep going? I guess that's why my closet is filled with sweaters that I hardly ever wear. Maybe they aren't really sweaters. Maybe they are just physical reminders of past good times. Memories that are interwoven with cotton and linen, wool and mohair, and the sweet passage of time.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.